University
Center evacuation drill set for Dec. 20
(Dec. 14, 2001)--There will be a mandatory emergency evacuation drill for occupants of the University Center on the 1604 Campus from 2-2:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20.
The sequence of events during the drill will be as follows, according to Fire and Safety Coordinator Billy Simmons. Key physical plant personnel will arrive at the University Center at 2 p.m. and will go to their respective checkpoint areas throughout the building. Once at their stations, all personnel must check in via radio with the physical plant control room. When all personnel have reported in, the building's alarms will be activated from the control room.
There is a time delay of approximately five minutes between activation of the alarms in the control room and sounding of the horns in the building. When the horns begin to sound, building occupants are to evacuate. Physical plant personnel will be available to answer any questions during this process, and they will also check the performance of sound and visual alarms in their areas.
When all occupants are safely out of the building and alarm inspections are complete, physical plant personnel will again make individual reports via radio to the control room. Once this second reporting process is complete, the alarms will be turned off and the drill will be complete. Building occupants will be allowed to return to their offices and classrooms.
"The entire process takes about 15 minutes, thus the time frame for drills is given as occurring between 2 and 2:15," Simmons said.
Simmons urges all faculty, staff and students to take five or 10 minutes now to familiarize themselves with the locations of emergency exits, alarms and fire extinguishers in their work or classroom areas.
In the event of inclement weather, the drill will be rescheduled. For more information about the drills or building evacuation plans, contact Billy Simmons at 458-5809.
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Important Safety Notes Concerning Emergency Evacuations
An "evacuation" is defined as the emptying of an occupied area and the transference of occupants to a safe location. The need to evacuate may be caused by any hazard--natural, technological or human -- that threatens any part of the Tri-Campus community.
Warning and Alarms
Two types of warnings are used to notify 1604 Campus occupants to evacuate a building: fire alarms, horns and flashing lights; and/or verbal warning, either in person or loudspeaker.
Prior to Exiting
After hearing the alarm to evacuate, stop all work activities. If time permits, each person will gather personal valuables such as purses or car keys, turn off CPU/printer/monitors, de-power research equipment, lock away sensitive items and close but not lock the doors. Locked doors can hamper rescue operations. Lights are to be left on.
Evacuation Routes
Emergency evacuation routes are all first level or second level exterior doors and all building stairwells. All building stairwells are designated areas of safe refuge. Elevators must not be used for evacuation. Walk, do not run, to the emergency exits. Assemble as far away from the buildings as possible. Go to the nearest parking lot, open area or Sombrilla. Do not re-enter any buildings until the "all clear" is given by University Police or Physical Plant personnel.
Fire drills will not be held during inclement weather.
Guidelines for Assisting Persons with Disabilities
The following guidelines are designed for those assisting faculty, staff, students or visitors who have a disability that could impair their mobility during an evacuation:
Persons with Visual Impairment:
1. Describe the nature of the emergency to the person.
2. Offer to guide the person, and ask if he/she prefers to take your elbow.
3. Advise the person about the evacuation route.
4. Offer to assist the person to a safe area.
Persons with Hearing Impairment:
1. Never assume a hearing-impaired person can lip read.
2. If the person did not hear the warning or alarm, write down the type of
emergency, and direct him/her to the emergency exit.
3. Offer to walk with the person to the exit.
4. Offer to assist the person to a safe area.
Persons Using Crutches, Canes or Walkers:
1. Describe the nature of the emergency.
2. Offer to guide the person, and ask if he/she prefers to take your elbow.
3. Advise the person about the evacuation route.
4. Offer to assist the person to a safe area.
Persons Using Wheelchairs:
1. Describe the nature of the emergency.
2. Ask the person how you can help him/her to exit the building.
3. Always follow the instructions of the wheelchair user.
4. Do not remove a person from a wheelchair unless he/she agrees to such a
procedure.
5. Some electric wheelchairs can weigh 400 lbs. If needed, use a minimum of
four injury-free persons with strong backs to move the chair without battery.
Follow correct lifting techniques.
6. Take extra care for wheelchair users attached to a respirator. Detach and
test the portable respirator unit prior to disconnecting the battery-operated
respirator.
7. Offer to assist the person to a safe area.
Unconscious Person in a Wheelchair:
1. Call University Police at 458-4242.
2. Give your name, department and phone number.
3. Describe the situation and decide where you will meet emergency personnel.
4. If you are unable to meet emergency personnel outside, ask someone in your
unit to escort emergency personnel to your location.
5. If immediate evacuation is required, do what is required to exit safely.
6. Follow all instructions from the emergency dispatcher.
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Go to the Institutional Compliance Web page.
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