Building Evacuation

Evacuation is required any time a condition exists which would require evacuation, when the fire alarm sounds, when an evacuation announcement is made, or a university official orders you to evacuate.

The designated evacuation points are:

• West entrance, across the street
  (evacuation coordinators should report to this entrance to meet the emergency response personnel)
• South entrance

The Evacuation Coordinators are:

• Suzanne Aaron
• alternate 1: Peter Griffiths
• alternate 2: Dan Edwards

Responsibilities of the Evacuation Coordinator

• Call 9-911 from a safe location to verify the fire alarm/evacuation signal has been received.
• Ensure people have evacuated the building, to the extent it is safe to do so.
• Maintain a roster of faculty and staff as an appendix to this plan and bring the roster to the evacuation point.
• To the extent possible, account for faculty and staff at the evacuation point.
• Be the contact point for reporting unsafe situations in the building or missing persons, and report these to the emergency responders.
• Maintain a list of faculty and staff home phone numbers, cell phones, and/or pagers for contacting employees during and after emergencies.

When the building alarm sounds or an evacuation signal is given:

1. Remain calm.
2. Exit the room and:
   • Quickly shut down any hazardous operations or processes and render them safe, if it is possible to do so. If an unsafe situation exists that will not allow a shutdown before evacuating, report this to the Evacuation Coordinator.
   • Take jackets or other clothing needed for protection from the weather.
   • Close windows and doors, but do not lock doors as you leave.
   • Leave room lights on.
   • If you are away from your room when the alarm sounds, you should exit the building immediately and not return to the room. If an unsafe situation exists in your room, report this to the Evacuation Coordinator.
3. Notify others in the area of the alarm if they did not hear it.
4. Instructors must ensure all students evacuate.
5. Exit the building via the nearest safe exit route. Walk; do not run. Never open doors that feel hot to the touch or attempt to travel through smoke-filled or hazardous areas. Use a different exit.
6. Do not use elevators to exit.
7. Report to the designated evacuation point and Evacuation Coordinator.
8. Wait at evacuation point for directions.
9. Do not reenter the building until emergency staff gives the "all clear" signal.
10. If you become trapped due to smoke, heat, flames, or some other hazard:
    • Leave the room door closed. Seal door cracks and ventilation grills with cloth or wet towels or clothing, if possible.
    • Use the telephone to call 9-911 and let them know your location. Hang an article of clothing, large enough for emergency responders to see, in or out the window if possible.
    • If smoke enters the room and there is an window that opens, open the window to let it out. Close the window if outside smoke enters. Tie a piece of clothing around your nose and mouth to filter out smoke if needed.
    • Stay close to the floor where the air is cleaner.

Evacuation of persons with disabilities:

Persons with disabilities, including those with mobility, hearing, or visual impairments, may need assistance during an evacuation. Units and instructors need to be aware of employees and students who may have disabilities and ensure they receive assistance during evacuation, if needed. Elevators are not to be used during an evacuation.

• Persons with hearing impairments:
  • Gain the person's attention by gesturing or turning the lights on and off.
  • If needed, write a note indicating an evacuation is necessary and provide directions.
• Persons with visual impairments:
  • Announce that an evacuation is necessary.
  • Offer your arm for guidance.
  • Tell the person where you are going, and obstacles you encounter.
  • When you reach the evacuation point, ask if further help is needed.
• Persons with mobility impairments:
  • Procedure A:
    If there is NO evidence of fire, smoke or other emergency in the area of occupancy or nearest Area of Evacuation Assistance (AEA),evacuate persons to the nearest AEA.
    
    Upon arrival of the fire department, fire department personnel will determine the cause of the emergency and check all AEA locations.
    
    If there is an actual emergency, people with mobility impairments will be evacuated by fire department personnel.
  • Procedure B:
    If there is evidence of fire, smoke or other emergency in the area of occupancy, evacuate all people from the area.
    
    Evacuation will be either from the building or to another AEA not affected by the emergency situation.
    
    A video is available from the main office showing how to evacuate a person who is using a wheelchair.