IF THERE'S A FIRE

1. Sound the alarm.

If you discover or suspect a fire, sound the building fire alarm.  If there is no alarm in the building, warn the other occupants by knocking on doors and shouting as you leave.

2. Leave the building.

Try to rescue others only if you can do so safely.  Move away from the building and out of the way of the fire department.  Don't go back into the building until the fire department says it is safe to do so.

3. Call the Fire Department.

On campus dial 911.  Give as much information as possible to the emergency dispatcher.

TO SURVIVE A BUILDING FIRE

1. Crawl if there's smoke.

If you get caught in smoke, get down and crawl.  Cleaner, cooler air will be near the floor.  Get Low - And Go.

2. Feel doors before opening.

Before opening any door, feel the metal knob.  If it is hot, don't open the door.  If it is cool, brace yourself against the door, open it slightly and if heat or heavy smoke are present, close the door and stay in the room.

3. Go to the nearest exit or stairway.

If the nearest exit is blocked by fire, heat or smoke, go to another exit.

Always use exit stairways - not elevators.  Elevator shafts may fill with smoke or the power may fail, leaving you trapped.  Stairway fire doors will keep out fire and smoke - if they are closed - and will protect you until you get outside.

Close as many doors as possible as you leave.  This helps to confine the fire.

Total and immediate evacuation is safest.  Use a fire extinguisher only if the fire is very small and you know how to do it safely.  If you can't put out the fire, leave immediately.  Make sure the fire department is called - even if you think the fire is out.

IF YOU GET TRAPPED

1. Keep the doors closed.

Seal the cracks and vents if smoke comes in.  If you're trapped in a room and there's no smoke outside, open the windows from the top to let out the heat and smoke and from the bottom to let in fresh air.

2. Signal for help.

Hang an object out the window (a bed sheet, jacket, shirt) to attract the fire fighters' attention.  If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department and report that you are trapped.  Be sure to give your room number and location.  Sometimes it is safer to stay in place!  If all exits from a floor are blocked, go back to your room, close the door, seal cracks, open the windows if safe, wave something out the window, and shout or phone for help.  Don't jump!  The Fire Department will rescue you.

IF YOU ARE ON FIRE

1. Stop, drop and roll.

If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll, wherever you are.  Rolling smothers the fire.

2. Cool burns.

Use cool tap water on burns immediately.  Don't use ointments.  If skin is blistered, dead white, brown or charred, call for an ambulance.

TO PREVENT FIRES

1. Smoke carefully.

If you smoke, don't smoke in bed or near flammable materials.  Use large ashtrays and be sure ashes, matches, and cigarette ends are cold before you dump them.  Don't smoke while intoxicated.  Smoking is allowed only in designated areas.

2. Cook in approved areas or kitchens and use laboratory-tested appliances.

Stay nearby while appliances are on.  Clean up grease and appliances as soon as possible.

3. Be careful with electricity.

Use only laboratory-tested appliances.  Don't overload outlets.  Replace damaged wires.

HELP ELIMINATE CAMPUS FIRE HAZARDS

1. Electrical abuse.

Use of electrical "octopuses" to obtain more outlets can result in overloaded circuits and fire.  Replace damaged wires.  Match your appliance power requirements to the circuit power.  Most electrical circuits supply only 15 or 20 amps per room for all the outlets.

2. Appliances.

Hot plates, percolators, irons, space heaters, etc. should never be left unattended.  They should be unplugged after use and stored only when they are cool enough to touch.  Also, appliances may overload circuits.  Keep heaters away from curtains and furniture.  Match the size of an extension cord to the appliance power cord to prevent cord overheating.  Remember - space heaters need space.

3. Open flames.

Candles, bunsen burners, barbecue grills, etc. should never be left unattended.  Extinguish all open flames, even if left for a very short time.  Candles can be very hazardous in bedrooms.

4. Hazardous storage.

Dispose of all waste as soon as possible.  Surplus material and paper recycling containers should be stored in a safe place, not in corridors, stairs or exit ways.

5. Flammable liquids.

Gasoline, kerosene, ether, paint, glue, etc. may not be stored in residential buildings.  In laboratories, shops and classrooms, storage of flammable liquids is limited to specific quantities and approved containers.

6. Obstacles.

Storage of bicycles, chairs, desks, and other items is prohibited in all exit ways.  Blocked exits have caused "chain reactions" pile ups of fallen people during emergencies.

PROTECT YOURSELF

1. Participate in fire drills.

Fire drills are conducted to familiarize you with the sound of your building's fire alarm, the emergency exits which you may not normally use, and the procedure for calling the fire department.  Learn where other exits are - now.

2. If you are disabled.

If you are disabled (even temporarily), you should do the following.

• Learn about fire safety.
• Plan ahead for fire emergencies.
• Be aware of your capabilities and limitations.

On campus, the staff notifies the fire department of residents with disabilities to help the fire fighters find you.  Look for areas of refuge such as stair enclosures or areas separated by fire doors.  Most elevators are designed to stop operating when the alarm is sounding and are not safe during fires.  Sometimes you may be safer to stay in your room.  Follow the advice on this page for what to do if you get trapped.

3. If you use alcohol or drugs.

You are especially vulnerable to smoke asphyxiation.  Even young, healthy people may not be able to escape a fire if they are intoxicated.  They may not hear the fire alarm or be able to find an exit.  Take special care of anyone who becomes intoxicated, particularly if the person is a smoker.  Let the fire department know if you think someone is still in the building.

4. Report damaged fire equipment.

• Fire Doors - should be closed completely and automatically.
• Exit Signs - Two exit signs should be visible from all public areas.
• Fire Alarms - Horns, bells, and pull stations should be accessible and not vandalized.
• Sprinklers - Keep 18" clearance around heads.  Report bent or damaged heads.
• Smoke Detectors - Keep them clear so they can detect smoke when you are asleep and wake you in time for you to get out.
• Fire Extinguishers - Report empty or vandalized extinguishers.

5. Fire Extinguisher Use

• Remember PASS-
  • P - Pull the pin.
  • A - Aim at the base of the fire.
  • S - Squeeze the handle or trigger.
  • S - Sweep back and forth.

6. Classes of Fires

• Class A - ordinary combustibles; wood, paper, cloth, trash, plastic
• Class B - flammable liquids; gas, grease, oil, paint, solvents
• Class C - electrical fire; computer, printer, anything using electricity
• Class D - flammable metals; magnesium, aluminum, sodium, potassium