Tenney Handbook

GETTING PREPARED

Review your office for potential fire-hazards, e.g. items stored in front of exit doors, tripping hazards, burned out exit lights, power strips, etc. If a condition exists in your work area that you deem a fire hazard, contact your supervisor. If satisfactory precautions are not immediately taken to correct the hazard, call the ULI office. Know where fire extinguishers are located on your floor and know how to use them properly. Know how to evacuate your work area, i.e., Where are your exits? Where do exits lead you?

SOME HAZARDS COMMONLY FOUND ARE:

• Extension cords used as permanent wire substitutes
• Missing or inadequately charged fire extinguishers
• Blockage of fire lanes
• Exit lights burned out
• Excess trash accumulation
• Personal Space Heaters

EMPLOYEE FACT SHEET

In the event of an actual emergency, such as a fire, have a plan of action:

• Exit the building in an orderly fashion
• Call 911 after you’ve reached safety. State the address, floor, and nature of the emergency (fire, ambulance, etc.)
• Immediately call the ULI office to notify us of the emergency.

If a fire or emergency does occur in your area/presence, begin evacuation of personnel. Your office should designate a person to pull the building fire alarm. If possible, isolate the fire (i.e., close the door to area or room where the fire has started).

Call 911 to report the fire. Remember that it may be appropriate to call the fire department after you have evacuated the building. Also, do not assume that someone else has reported the fire.

Remove all occupants from offices and direct them to the appropriate exit - away from any smoke. Close all doors and evacuate immediately by your primary exit (or alternate exit if your primary exit is blocked by smoke and/or flames). Meet outside the building at your designated place. Someone from your office should be designated as responsible to account for all personnel. Notify emergency personnel of anyone unaccounted for and their possible location in the building.

CAUTION: DO NOT USE ELEVATORS IN THE CASE OF A FIRE.

If you are in the elevator when a fire breaks out and the elevator stops at a floor that is not in immediate danger, exit immediately and evacuate the building by the nearest fire exit. If the elevator stops at the fire floor, exit the elevator, staying as close to the floor as possible and evacuate the building by the nearest fire exit. Remember, smoke and heat rise - stay low.

Please take time to locate all of your potential exit routes before an emergency arises. If you encounter smoke during evacuation, proceed to one of the remaining exits.

If it is impossible to reach a stairwell because of smoke and/or flames or if you are trapped in an area, go to a room as far away from the fire as possible. Ideally, the room should have a window and access to a telephone. Seal off cracks around doors and vents with a towel, or other suitable material. Soak them if water is nearby. Go to the window and signal for help. Do not break the window.  If you have access to a telephone or cell phone, call the fire department (911) and notify them of your location, even if they are already on the scene.

ALARM

• Preservation of life is primary when a fire is discovered. Turning on the alarm is the first step.
• Sound the building alarm. Know where the alarm pull stations are located on your floor. Please take time to locate them before an emergency arises.
• Notify the fire department by calling 911. If no immediate danger exists, contact the fire department prior to evacuation. If you are in immediate danger, evacuate the building and then contact the fire department. Do not assume that some other tenant has contacted the fire department—there have been cases where precious time has been lost because the fire department was not notified for several minutes after the fire was discovered.
• If no immediate danger exists, call ULI and report the fire. Any fire in the building, regardless of size and duration, should be reported. Even though you have extinguished a small fire, it may be advisable to check with the fire department and have them conduct a search of the area for any sparks, smoldering areas, etc.

The building is equipped with fire extinguishers on each floor. Please take time to locate them before an emergency arises.

• Fire extinguishers should be used only for small fires.
• Do not attempt to use the fire extinguishers unless you have been instructed in their proper use. When in doubt let the fire department extinguish the fire.
• The fire department conducts training in the proper use of fire extinguishers. You may contact them for more information regarding time and place.

ALL CLEAR SIGNAL

In the event of a fire alarm, a representative of ULI will first determine the cause of the failure. When it has been determined that absolutely no danger exists, an announcement will be made over the fire alarm public address system that it is safe to return to the building. ULI staff members will walk around the exterior of Block 89 to inform evacuated employees that it is safe to re-enter.

PLEASE NOTE: WHENEVER A FIRE ALARM SOUNDS, YOU ARE TO LEAVE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY!

SPECIAL HAZARDS

The building may serve a number of people who are disabled, hearing-impaired, etc. who may present evacuation challenges and will require special attention in the event of a fire.

Non-ambulatory clients and/or employees should be directed to the nearest stairwell exit. Advise them to remain on the stairwell landing until help arrives. People evacuating via the stairwells should make a note of anyone needing assistance and relay this information to ULI or emergency personnel on the grounds after evacuation.

If disabled occupants cannot reach a stairwell because of smoke and/or flames, they should be directed to a room as far away from the fire as possible and follow the recommendations as outlined above.

The name and location of any disabled personnel should be put in writing and given to ULI in advance. This information will be made available to the fire department to aid them in rescue efforts. Office staff should be aware of anyone needing special assistance and be prepared to assist in their evacuation.

BE AWARE

In the case of an emergency, stay calm and think. Remember, smoke is your worst enemy. Smoke, heat and gases can choke and kill you after a few breaths. If you are caught in smoke, get down and crawl. Also, hold your breath and close your eyes when you can.