Fire Emergencies - Residential Facilities

FIRE EMERGENCIES

Residential Facilities

POLICY:

If you get caught in a fire situation, survival is your top priority. Residents will receive residence hall specific information about fire safety and evacuation procedures at the beginning of each semester. It is extremely important that residents familiarize themselves and their guests with all applicable fire safety procedures in their assigned building. University policy requires occupants to evacuate as directed by the building’s specific fire safety plan in the event of fire alarm activation.

• One Pace Plaza / 182 Broadway. A horn will sound on the fire floor, the floor above the fire floor and the floor below the fire floor.  The occupants of these areas should immediately use the exit stairs to descend to a floor level that is at least several floors below the fire floor, and await further instruction from safety officials.  All other areas will receive an alert tone and occupants should stand-by for further instructions.
   
• All other Pace owned / leased properties. University policy requires all occupants to evacuate immediately.

There may be emergency situations in which you may be required to decide on a course of action to protect yourself and the other members of your room or apartment. These fire safety procedures are intended to assist you in selecting the safest course of action in such an emergency. Please note that no fire safety plan can account for all of the possible factors and changing conditions. You will have to decide for yourself what is the safest course of action under the circumstances.

The following procedures for residence halls are to be followed any time a fire alarm sounds:

If The Fire Is In Your Room

1. Close the door to the room where the fire is and leave the room.
2. Make sure EVERYONE in the room leaves with you.
3. Take your keys.
4. Close, but do not lock the room door.
5. Alert people on your floor by knocking on their doors on your way to the exit.
6. Use the nearest stairwell to exit the building. Pull the fire alarm manual station at the stair entrance to transmit an alarm signal.
7. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.
8. Call 911 and/or security once you reach a safe location. Do not assume the fire has been reported unless firefighters are on the scene.
9. Meet the members of your room and floor at your designated assembly area.

Evacuation Instructions If The Fire Is Not In Your Room

1. Feel your room door and doorknob for heat. If they are not hot, open the door slightly and check hallway for smoke, heat or fire.
2. Exit your room and building following the instructions above for a fire in your room.
3. If you cannot leave your room or use the stairs, stay in your room.
4. Call 911 and tell them your address, floor, room number and the number of people in your room.
5. Seal the doors to your room with wet towels or sheets, and seal air ducts or other openings where smoke may enter.
6. Open windows a few inches at top and bottom unless flames and smoke are coming in from below. DO NOT BREAK WINDOWS.
7. If possible, open a window and wave a towel or sheet to attract the attention of firefighters.
8. If smoke conditions worsen before help arrives, get down on the floor and take short breathes through your nose.
9. Wait for help.

LIFE SAFETY SURVIVAL SKILLS

If smoke or heat is present:

• Stay in room
• Close door and seal cracks.
• If possible, call security and give your location.
• If possible, hang a sheet from the window.
• If possible, open top and and/or bottom of window.
• Wait for help.

If smoke or heat are tolerable:

• Stay low and crawl. Keep your head 1 to 2 feet above the floor.
• Close doors behind you.
• Take keys but do not lock doors.
• Knock on doors on your way out.
• Go to designated assembly area.

Emergency Evacuations For Persons With Physical Disabilities

Pre-planning is of utmost importance to ensure that persons with physical disabilities are provided with the assistance and knowledge to evacuate a building.

It is expected that a residence life staff member knows of your immobility, whether it is temporary or permanent. Prior to an emergency evacuation of any kind, it is advised that each person needing assistance should meet with the residence life staff and the safety and security department to discuss a plan of action.