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Fire Prevention
- Do not accumulate quantities of discarded files or other paper trash in your office or storage area.
- Do not store large quantities of flammable solvents, duplicating fluids, or other combustible fluids.
- Keep electrical appliances in good repair. Any unsafe equipment should be replaced immediately.
- Consider installing additional fire extinguishers to areas of the office where potential for fire is especially high, such as supply rooms.
Fire Procedures
- If you discover a fire, remain calm and pull the nearest fire alarm. Alarms are in the corridors adjacent to the stairwells.
- Call 911 from a safe location.
- Close doors behind you to isolate fire.
- Proceed to stairwells and listen for instructions. NEVER use the elevators.
- Be cautious when opening doors so as not to spread the fire.
- Touch any door to see if it is hot before opening.
- If smoke is present, stay low and crawl with your body against the floor. The clearest air is near the floor.
- If forced to make a dash through smoke or flame, hold your breath and cover your nose and mouth with an article of clothing.
Evacuation Procedures
It is extremely important that all tenants evacuate in the precise manner and to the exact area as designated by the tenant safety wardens.
Before opening any door to the corridor, check the door and doorknob for heat. If it is warm, stay in your office and, if possible, caulk around the door seams using wet towels or duct tape. Do not open the door! Find another exit to the corridor. If both your door and doorknob are cool, and you leave your office:
- Check for smoke in the corridor.
- When smoke is present, stay low by crawling since clean air is closest to the floor.
- Everyone should proceed quickly, but calmly to the nearest stairwell. Do not run. All the stairwells are constructed with fire-resistant materials to provide safe evacuation for building occupants.
- Do not use the elevators.
- Stay calm. Panic can be the most difficult element to control in an emergency. Avoiding panic is accomplished through confidence and knowledge of evacuation procedures.