FIRE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

 

 

The first priority when you discover a fire is to rescue anyone in immediate danger if you can do so without endangering your life and then sound the alarm to notify others in the building. It may be helpful to remember this word when faced with a fire emergency:

 

R – Rescue those in immediate danger

A – Alarm – sound the alarm to warn others

C – Confine the fire by closing doors

E – Extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher if possible

 

The following are the procedures specified in the College’s Procedure for Emergencies P6Hx23-1.23:

 

Use the nearest fire alarm box to sound the alarm. In some SPC buildings, this is a local alarm only and will not automatically notify the fire department. If the building is not equipped with a fire alarm, verbally notify the building occupants to evacuate.

 

Notify the fire department by dialing 911 from college phones, pay phones or off-site phones. Give the 911 Center operator the following information:

 

1.                  Type of emergency.

 

2.         Campus/Center location.

 

3.         Building name.

 

4.         Room number or location of emergency.

 

5.         Your name and title.

 

6.         Telephone number you are calling from.

 

7.         Do not hang up. The 911 Operator may need additional information.

 

Notify Security, Facilities Services and the Provost's Office and provide the details of the emergency.

 

Immediately following the emergency, complete an Accident-Incident Report and submit to Risk Management.

 

 

 

 

 

WHEN TO FIGHT A FIRE

 

 

You should attempt to fight a fire only when all of the following are true:

 

1.      Everyone has left or is leaving the building.

  1. The fire department has been called.
  2. The fire is small and confined to the immediate area where it started such as in a wastebasket, furniture cushion, small appliance, stove, etc.
  3. You can fight the fire with your back to a safe escape route. In case the fire extinguisher malfunctions or something unexpected happens, you need to be able to get out quickly. REMEMBER - Always keep an exit at your back for a quick escape.
  4. Your fire extinguisher is rated for the type of fire you are fighting and is in good working order.
  5. You have had training in the use of the fire extinguisher and are confident that you can operate it effectively.

 

 

DO NOT FIGHT A FIRE

 

IF – you don’t know what is burning. If you don’t know what is burning, i.e., chemicals or materials you don’t recognize, you don’t know what type of fire extinguisher to use.

 

IF – the fire is spreading rapidly beyond the spot where it started. Fire extinguishers are only effective in the beginning stages of a fire. Once it begins to spread quickly, get out of the building and close the door behind you to slow the spread of fire and aid your escape.

 

IF – you don’t have the correct type and size of fire extinguisher.

 

IF – you might inhale toxic smoke. If the fire is producing large amounts of smoke that you would have to breathe, it is best to leave.

 

IF – your instincts tell you it is not safe. Remember, if you have the slightest doubt about whether or not to fight the fire, don’t. Instead, get out and close the door behind you to slow the spread of the fire and let the fire department do the rest. They are trained and equipped to handle such emergencies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Safety/Environmental Services 12/19/01