Fire Prevention and Emergency Action

Policy 303.19

1 Introduction

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2 Scope

The primary goal of the Emergency Action & Fire Prevention Plan is to provide basic emergency response procedures to members of the University community. The plan is also intended to help reduce or eliminate potential fires in the workplace by heightening the fire safety awareness of all employees by recognizing, reporting and controlling potential fire hazards.

3 Definitions

3.1 Definition phrase or word

Definition summary

4 Policy and Procedure Statements

4.1 Plan Elements

• Identifies common types of potential emergency situations that may necessitate a building evacuation or emergency action.
• Describes procedures for initiating/conducting a building evacuation.
• Provides information for physically disabled occupants in emergency evacuation situations.
• Identifies potential fire hazards and their proper handing and storage procedures.
• Identifies departments/areas responsible for the control and accumulation of flammable or combustible material.
• Describes fire safety and general housekeeping procedures necessary to insure the control of fire hazards and the accumulation of flammable and combustible waste materials.
• Describes fire protection equipment and/or systems commonly found in University Buildings.
• Identifies departments/areas responsible for maintaining fire protection equipment and systems.
• Identifies training/materials provided to employees with regard to evacuation procedures, fire drills and services offered by the Safety & Workers' Compensation Office related to fire safety.

Building Evacuation

The primary concern in the event of any emergency situation will be protecting the life and safety of the building occupants, with the secondary concern being preservation of property.

Several types of potential emergency situations may necessitate a building evacuation, including fire, explosion, chemical spill, gas leak, terrorist threats, etc. University Police should be notified (262-8000) of any emergency situation. The building fire alarm is primarily intended for initiating a general evacuation during fire emergencies. Emergencies other than fire, such as chemical spills in exit paths, incendiary device(s) present, or possible exposure to armed persons, etc., should be evaluated before initiating a general evacuation via the fire alarm.

In those instances where a general evacuation alarm is not appropriate, a room by room evacuation may be conducted by University Police or other emergency personnel. Evacuation instructions may be provided via a public address system (in buildings with such systems) providing that it will not cause further danger to the occupants.

Each occupant should become familiar with the location of emergency escape routes which are marked on posted evacuation plans in each building. Occupants also should be familiar with the location of fire alarm pull stations and fire extinguishers in their building. Each building should have an established evacuation meeting point. An alternate evacuation point should be designated for inclement weather. Evacuation points should be located at least fifty feet from the building and should not block the flow of emergency vehicles or personnel ( i.e. , fire department, police, ambulance).

Evacuation Of Mobility Impaired Occupants

It is the responsibility of faculty to notify students in each class of the need to identify themselves (privately if appropriate) if they will need assistance during a building evacuation. Employees are responsible for identifying themselves to their supervisor (privately if appropriate) if they will need assistance during a building evacuation. Department chairpersons, and/or area supervisors should assist any student or employee who may be mobility impaired in preplanning their evacuation for an emergency situation. This may include enlisting the aid of other faculty/staff or students to provide assistance in evacuating mobility impaired persons from the building . Some buildings are equipped with Areas of Rescue Assistance. These are areas, typically located at or near exit stairwells, where mobility impaired persons may await evacuation by emergency personnel. Mobility impaired occupants who are unable to exit a building due to stairs or other architectural features should not attempt to use elevators and should go to an Area of Rescue Assistance and await evacuation by fire department personnel.

Fire Evacuation

As a rule, if you discover any type of fire/smoke or hear an audible alarm (bell, horn, etc.) in your area, treat the situation as an emergency. If the alarm system has not been activated, do so immediately. Contact University Police (262-8000) or Boone Fire Department (9-911) and evacuate the building. If time permits, warn others as you leave. If remaining in the area long enough to activate the alarm, contact emergency response personnel or warn others, would place you in danger. EVACUATE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY. Move to a safe location such as an emergency blue light telephone or another building that is unaffected by the emergency. Continue with the following procedures:

• Contact University Police (262-8000) or Boone Fire Department (9-911). Describe the nature, extent and location of the emergency situation (e.g. fire/smoke present or alarm sounding).
• Await the arrival of Fire Department personnel and University Police at the pre-designated evacuation meeting point.
• Inform arriving emergency personnel of any areas where occupants may still be located inside the building ( e.g. , mobility impaired, trapped, or injured).
• Remain outside the building while emergency personnel inspect the premises, extinguish fires, remove trapped individuals and restore the alarm system.
• Do not re-enter the building until Fire Department Officials, University Police, or other designated safety personnel communicate that it is safe to return.

Medical Emergencies

• Before approaching injured persons, evaluate the immediate area for potential safety hazards that may require moving the injured to a safe location (e.g., fire, toxic or explosive gas vapors, etc.). Otherwise, do not move the injured except as necessary to avoid exposure to hazards.
• Contact University Police (262-8000) to request first aid assistance or make arrangements for an ambulance or medical transportation.
• Provide emergency first aid as needed, if you have been trained to do so.
• If the injury involves exposure to a hazardous chemical, provide the Material Safety Data Sheet to the medical emergency responders. If the MSDS cannot be immediately located, call Student Health Services or the emergency room and provide the information as soon as possible.

Chemical Spills

The following procedures are to be used in responding to chemical spills that can not be safely contained by persons working in the area.

Indoor Spills

• If the spill represents a hazard that is immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH), evacuate the room/area, and, if in doubt, evacuate the building.
• Contact University Police (262-8000) and request assistance. Describe the situation and indicate if there is a potential for fire or explosion, or if injuries exist. University Police will contact the Safety & Workers' Compensation Office and Physical Plant Hazardous Waste Office for assistance. Be prepared to provide a description of the spilled substance and a Material Safety Data Sheet, if possible.
• The area of the spill should be sealed off or secured to prevent students or employees from entering the danger zone.
• From a safe location, provide directions to and information about the spill zone to University Police and other emergency response personnel as needed.

Outdoor Spills

• If the hazard is primarily restricted to the environment and the spill is too large to be cleaned up by onsite personnel, contact University Police (262-8000) for assistance. If there is a danger to people in the vicinity from fire or toxic vapors, request assistance from University Police (262-8000), Boone Fire Department (9-911) and the Safety & Workers' Compensation Office (262-4007).
• Remain a safe distance away from the spill and warn passers-by to stay clear until help arrives. Be prepared to provide information about the substance spilled, including the material safety data sheet, to emergency responders.

Potential Fire Hazards: Identification and Control

Fires, like all other types of accidents, are largely preventable.

Common Causes of Fires

• Overloaded electrical circuits, unsafe wiring and defective extension cords.
• Appliances, such as coffee pots, hot plates and other heating devices, left on when not in use.
• Unattended cooking.
• Improper disposal of smoking material such as placing warm/hot ashes in trash cans.
• Not using an ash tray - leaving a lighted cigarette on a combustible surface such as furniture.
• Improper use of personal heating systems (space heaters) or non-electric (kerosene, propane, etc.) heating systems.
• Improper use of candles, or incense, or other open flames.
• Improper use of welding torches and equipment.
• Improper use, handling, and storage of flammable material (gasoline, solvents, paints).
• Overheated motors and other equipment not maintained properly.
• Christmas tree lights and associated electrical cords.
• Poor housekeeping which results in accumulation of combustibles such as paper, boxes, oil-soaked rags, etc.

Control of Flammable or Combustible Waste Materials

Ordinary Trash

Physical Plant (Building Services) is responsible for collecting ordinary combustibles, such as paper, plastic, or other items disposed in indoor trash receptacles. Physical Plant (Grounds Department) is responsible for the collection of ordinary combustibles such as paper, plastic in outdoor trash receptacles and dumpster areas. If you have any questions concerning the disposal of ordinary trash call 262-3190.

Recyclable Materials

Physical Plant (Recycling Office) is responsible for collecting materials, such as paper, glass or aluminum products placed in recycling containers. For questions concerning recycling or for special pick up needs contact the Physical Plant Department at 262-3190.

Hazardous Waste

Physical Plant (Recycling/Hazardous Waste Office) is responsible for collecting and disposing of hazardous waste, including chemical, bio-hazard, and other hazardous wastes. If you have any questions concerning the disposal of hazardous waste or special pick up needs contact the Physical Plant Department at 262-3190.

Building Safety/Housekeeping

Good building safety and housekeeping practices are basic to insuring fire safety and should be a major concern in every type of occupancy, from the simplest building to the most complex facility. The following general preventative measures apply.

Preventative Measures

• Building occupants may not obstruct or tamper with any safety features such as exit signs, sprinkler systems, heat and smoke detectors, alarm pulls, horns, strobes, fire extinguishers, etc.
• Fire doors may not be propped or wedged open except with approved electro-magnetic devices.
• Hallways or other exit corridors may not be blocked, obstructed or have the required exit width reduced to less than the minimum specified by N.C. Building Codes.
• Stairwells must be kept free of obstructions and can not be used for storage, recycling containers, vending machines, furniture, decorations, etc.
• General work areas such as offices, labs, and shops must be kept orderly and clean.
• Storage must be neat and orderly and maintained 2 feet or more below the ceiling in non-sprinkled areas of buildings or a minimum of 18 inches below sprinkler head deflectors in sprinkled areas of buildings.
• Special events must be planned so that displays and refreshment tables do not obstruct exits or exit access routes.
• Classrooms without fixed seating must be set up to allow access to the exit door from each row of seats. Seating may not exceed 49 in rooms with a single exit.
• Posted occupancy limit numbers must be strictly observed.
• Assembly occupancies must conduct and document pre-event inspection functions as specified by the Safety & Workers' Compensation Office.
• Open flame devices may not be possessed or used except as specified in the ASU Open Flame Policy.
• Personal space heaters are strongly discouraged. If their use is necessary, combustible materials must be at least 3 feet away from the heater. Space heaters cannot contain elements which are exposed or "glow" and must be equipped with safety features such as tip over shut off devices or thermostats equipped with overheating protection.
• Coffee pots and other appliances should be turned off when empty and before employees leave for the day.
• Halogen lamps are highly discouraged due to the high temperatures which the bulb produces. If utilized, appropriate "grill type" guards should be placed over the bulb and combustibles kept a safe distance away to prevent accidental ignition.
• Extension cords are permitted for temporary use only and may not be used under rugs, through doorways, walls or above ceilings. Cords may not be placed where they will be stepped/walked on, have undue wear and tear, or present a tripping hazard. Cords necessary in high traffic areas should be protected with a rubberized cord cover protector.
• Only UL approved, heavy duty, three prong (grounded) extension cords may be used. Power strips with circuit breakers and/or surge control devices may be utilized with computer equipment.
• Outlets should not be overloaded and cube or multi-plug extenders should not be used.
• Holiday decorations must be located so that they do not obstruct any exits, hallways, stairs or fire fighting equipment. Decorations may not be placed in stairwells and must be kept to a minimum in corridors.
• The use of natural cut trees is permitted only in approved buildings. For a list of approved buildings, contact the Safety & Workers' Compensation Office at 262-4007.
• Electric lights and lighted decorations must bear the Underwriter Laboratories seal and must be turned off when the room or space is unoccupied. Electric light sets should not be placed on or allowed to touch metallic surfaces.
• Discarded packing material or scrap materials should not be accumulated.
• A sufficient number of trash receptacles should be placed in each work area.
• Floors should be swept or vacuumed to prevent accumulation of combustible materials.
• Avoid using flammable cleaning solvents to clean floors, walls, furniture or equipment.
• Clean up hazardous material spills immediately.
• Place oil or chemical soaked rags in metal or other suitable containers.
• Charcoal or lighter fluid should not be stored in any university building.
• Charcoal or gas grills must be used at least 10 feet from buildings or combustible materials.

Chemical Handling And Storage

• Leaks, spills, and overflows must be avoided. Storage of flammable and combustible liquids in open containers is not permitted.
• Chemicals, specifically flammable and combustible liquids, should be stored in appropriate storage cabinets/control areas approved by the Safety Office & Workers' Compensation Office.
• Incompatible materials in storage areas must be segregated. Specifically, separate ignitable material from oxidizers or sources of ignition. In general, do not store different types of incompatibles in the same area or cabinet.

Fire Protection Equipment

Fire protection systems installed in campus buildings are designed to emit an audible and/or visual alarm throughout the structure which will alert occupants to an emergency situation. The basic types of fire protection systems and equipment used at the University to detect, control or extinguish fires are:

• Automatic Fire Alarm - An alarm system equipped with smoke/heat detectors, pull stations, and/or sprinkler system which, if any portion of the system is activated, will automatically notify University Policy of an alarm situation.
• Manual Fire Alarm - An alarm system equipped only with pull stations, which, upon manual activation, will send the system into alarm and automatically contact University Police.
• Automatic Sprinkler Systems - These systems are designed to activate when a fusible link or bulb located in the sprinkler head is heated beyond a specific temperature, allowing the link/bulb to melt/burst, releasing water from the sprinkler head.
• Chemical Extinguishing Systems - These systems generally activate by either manual pull stations or by fusible links and are usually found in Food Service areas or computer equipment rooms.
• Portable Fire Extinguishers - ABC, Carbon Dioxide, Halon and K type extinguishers are common types of extinguishers found in University Buildings.
• Electro-Magnetic Door Closures - Magnetic devices which normally hold doors in the open position. However, upon activation of the fire alarm system, the magnetic devices will release and allow the doors to close and provide fire/smoke protection.
• Fire Shutters/Roll Down Doors - Devices which, upon activation of a smoke/heat detector or fusible link, will close automatically, providing separation/protection from fire/smoke.

Inspection/Maintenance

Fire protection equipment and systems are required to be routinely inspected/tested to ensure proper operation, as specified by National Fire Protection Association. Physical Plant performs/coordinates routine maintenance/testing of fire protection systems in academic buildings. Receipt supported departments or areas are responsible for insuring maintenance of fire protection equipment in their respective areas.

Any problems with fire alarm systems should be reported to University Police 262-2150 or Physical Plant Telecommunications 262-3190

Fire Extinguishers

Use/Training

Upon initial employment, employees will receive educational materials concerning the use of portable fire extinguishers on incipient stage fires. Additional educational materials will be provided at least annually in the form of brochures/flyers. Optional "hands on" demonstration(s) may be offered to employees wishing to participate in a "live burn" scenario.

Types of Fires

Class A Fires - Involves ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, cloth, rubbish and other solids.

Class B Fires - Involves flammable and combustible liquids such as gasoline, fuel oil, paint thinner, flammable cleaning solvents and oils.

Class C Fires - Involves "energized" electrical equipment.

Class D Fires - Involves combustible metals such as magnesium.

Class K Fires - Involves oils used in commercial deep fat fryer operations. Special extinguishing agents must be used to effectively cool and smother this type of fire due to the high temperatures which newer cooking oils utilize.

Maintenance

Any problems with portable fire extinguishers in academic or administrative buildings should be reported to Building Services at 262-4080. Problems with portable fire extinguishers in receipt-supported areas should be reported to the respective area.

Fire Prevention Training

The Safety & Workers' Compensation Office periodically distributes fire/emergency procedures to the campus community.

Department chairpersons and/or area supervisors are responsible for reviewing the University Emergency Action/Fire Prevention Plan with employees upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter.

Department chairpersons and/or area supervisors should inform employees of potential fire hazards in the workplace specific to their tasks. In addition, Department chairpersons and/or area supervisors should establish a plan of evacuation for their areas and should assist with the orderly evacuation of the building should an emergency situation occur. In some areas one or more persons may be designated to assist with the orderly evacuation of a building, floor or area.

In these cases, the names and position titles of such persons should be forwarded to the Safety & Workers' Compensation Office.

Safety Office personnel are available for customized fire prevention training upon request. Contact the Safety & Workers' Compensation Office at 262-4007 for more information.

Fire Drills

The North Carolina Fire Prevention Code requires that fire drills must be held monthly in educational occupancies (day care, educational under 12 th grade) and every three (3) months in assembly and specific residential occupancies. For buildings which do not fall into any of the above categories, an annual fire drill will be conducted in areas equipped with a fire alarm system.

During a fire drill, occupants should quickly evacuate the building, go to their pre-designated evacuation point, and remain outside until instructed to re-enter the building by Safety & Workers' Compensation personnel, University Police or other designated safety personnel.

Fire drill reports will be completed and maintained by the Safety & Workers' Compensation Office.

Safety & Workers' Compensation Office Fire Prevention Services

The Safety & Workers' Compensation Office provides the following services to the University Community relevant to fire prevention:

• Fire and emergency notification/action instructions
• Fire prevention materials & information
• Fire evacuation drills
• Fire and Life Safety Evaluation (Safety Inspections)
• Fire extinguisher education
• Assistance in preparing and posting emergency evacuation route signage
• NC Building Code compliance requirement information

This plan is provided as a general guide and does not cover all code compliance issues. If you have any questions or concerns, or need additional information, contact the Safety & Workers' Compensation Office at 262-4007 or email the Safety Inspector at clarkbs@appstate.edu.

Updated 01/08/2005