Fire Safety – Basic Concepts For Office, Facility, and Laboratory Employees Tulane University May 2012 Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Objectives To identify emergency and non-emergency telephone numbers for campus resources To discuss fire prevention and preparation concepts To review fire response, evacuation, use and types of fire extinguishers Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Campus Resources Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) –UPTOWN: –TUHSC: –TNPRC: (985) For emergencies, OEHS is contacted by TU Police. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Campus Resources Contact Police (TUPD, TUHSC, TNPRC) –Uptown Campus & University Square - Emergency: or 5200 (on campus) Non-Emergency: –TUHSC – Emergency: or (on campus) Non-Emergency: –TNPRC – Emergency: (985) or 6411 (on campus) Non-Emergency: (985) –All others: dial 911 Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Campus Resources For maintenance issues – notify Facilities Services –Uptown Campus – Emergency: Non-emergency – submit via include name, room location, specific issue –Downtown Campus –TNPRC – (985) –Other locations – check with supervisor Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Fire Safety Guidelines –Do not use unapproved appliances. –Lit candles, incense, etc. are prohibited. –Refrain from tampering with, attaching items to or blocking fire equipment, e.g. fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire alarm equipment (strobes, horns/speakers, pull stations, panels) –EVACUATE the building when the fire alarm sounds –When preparing food, do not leave heated appliances unattended. Before It’s A Fire (Fire Prevention)

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) Report/address unsafe conditions –Exit signs – not illuminated, missing or damaged –Hallway or room doors – poor repair, not latching or self-closing properly, use of wedges –Stairwells – fire doors blocked or held open, not self- closing or properly latching, storage –Corridors – trip hazards, obstructions, storage –Fire safety equipment – blocked –Fire extinguishers – missing, discharged, on the floor Before It’s A Fire (Fire Prevention)

Before It’s A Fire (Preparation) Know the location of the exits Review the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for your building or area Know your designated outside assembly area Know how the fire alarm system works from review of the EAP - how to activate the fire alarm, how it sounds, location of the pull stations, strobes, and horns/speakers Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Before It’s A Fire (Preparation) Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) contain information on –reporting emergencies –alarm systems –evacuation procedures –outside assembly areas and accounting of staff –training Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Before It’s A Fire (Preparation) DSRs and/or supervisors must be aware of Special Needs Persons in their work areas –With physical, medical, sensory or cognitive disabilities that are permanent or temporary –Can they evacuate on their own? –If assistance is needed for evacuation, then follow procedures in the EAP. –Learn to use/locate fire extinguishers Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Fire Response If you discover a fire, follow the acronym ESCAPE. Evaluate the situation. Secure the Area - Remove occupants from the immediate area to a safe location. Close the room doors to contain the fire or smoke. Activate the fire alarm using a pull station or calmly and effectively indicate that there is a fire. Phone police: –Uptown (ext 5200), TUHSC (ext 55555), TNPRC – (985) (ext 6411), Other locations – dial 911 Extinguish the fire – using a portable fire extinguisher, as appropriate.

Portable Fire Extinguishers – To use them, remember PASS –Pull the pin –Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire –Squeeze the handle, and –Sweep the fire from side to side Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Fire extinguisher classifications correspond to the classes of fire that can be extinguished by that extinguisher. A - ordinary combustibles B - flammable liquids C - energized electrical equipment D - combustible metals K - cooking oils & fats Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Fire Response When you hear the fire alarm –Departmental Safety Representatives (DSRs) and/or Supervisors Immediately go through the area and tell everyone to evacuate. Ask everyone to close and lock the doors and take personal belongings, if possible. Assist Special Needs Persons in your area as needed Everyone must evacuate using the nearest exit or stairwell – do not use elevators Account for everyone especially those who do not evacuate your work area Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Fire Response When you hear the fire alarm (continued) –DSRs and/or Supervisors Go to the assembly area designated by the EAP – you may have to report to another location if it is inclement weather Report to Police –Evacuation status – has everyone evacuated, give the location of those who did not evacuate –Special Needs Persons – their location and situation –Do not re-enter until the “All Clear” is issued by Police Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Fire Response When you hear the fire alarm - Occupants –Evacuate immediately. Close and lock doors and take personal belongings, if possible –Use the nearest exit or stairwell –Go to the designated assembly area and report to your DSR or supervisor –Do not re-enter the building until the “All Clear” is issued by Police Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Fire Response For further information on building or work area evacuation, see the appropriate Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for your area. They can be found at the following website: plans.cfm plans.cfm Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Tulane University Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) Louis Mayer, OEHS, , TUHSC: Susan Welch, OEHS, , Uptown: Karen Douglas, OEHS, , TNPRC: Kellie Mayer, OEHS, (985) , Proceed to Quiz If unable to proceed to quiz, type the link below into your browser