Reacting to Emergencies

What should building occupants do in emergencies?

Reference source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

The GoalTo provide building occupants with information about emergency response plans for the building, and decision making in emergencies.

What is an emergency?• An “emergency” is an event that

jeopardizes– The occupants of a building– The building– The contents of the building

• Types of emergencies– Natural– Human based

The Emergency Plan• A set of actions designed to reduce the

impact of emergencies on the building and its occupants

• The emergency plan deals with – Prevention– Detection– Notification

• Occupants• Emergency response

– Evacuation/relocation measures– Control– Recovery

What is the plan?

• What is the emergency plan for the building?

• Are there specific instructions for your work area?

• Where are the plans located?• How often are they reviewed?

Building Coordinator Job Description (MPP)

• Surveying the maintenance and cleanliness of a designated building.

• Reporting to Facilities Services Work Control Office any significant discrepancy (roof leaks, flooding, climate control, safety issues).

• The signoff to Facilities Services on in-house contracted building repairs.

• Periodical review of general instructional equipment and furniture in the building (lecterns, desks) and the forwarding of recommendations to the Executive Officer for replacement when appropriate.

• Assist in notifying occupants in the event of electrical, water, or other utility service disruption.

Building Coordinator Job Description continued:

• The filing of a written Evacuation and Emergency Plan, the Building Coordinator’s Emergency Checklist form, and the basic Business Continuity Considerations for the assigned building. This information must be updated every 12 months and filed with the Emergency Operations Center Coordinator at Public Safety (see below for details). These forms are also required at anytime there are significant changes in responsibilities.

• Scheduling once every six months an inspection of the building accompanied by Environmental Health and Safety personnel.

• The posting of the name of Building Coordinator and alternate with campus phone extension at entrances, stairwells, and elevators.

Required by Audit & Executive Orders Annually (at the Minimum)

CSU Executive Orders 1013 Emergency Management

1014 Business Continuity Planninghttp://www.calstatela.edu/univ/police/docs/emerg_plan/e

mergency_checklist.pdf

Building Evacuation & Emergency Site Specific Plans

Building Evacuation & Emergency Site Specific Plans

http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/police/emergency.php

Required by Audit & Executive Orders Annually (at the Minimum)

CSU Executive Orders 1013 Emergency Management

1014 Business Continuity Planning

Emergency Notification

What methods are used to alert occupants of an emergency?

Emergency Messages

• What do the alarms mean?• What actions are you expected to take?• Who issues voice instructions?• http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/police/ens.php

Why should I believe the alarm or emergency

information message?

What can be done to protect building occupants in an emergency?

Occupant Protection Concepts

• Evacuate– Total– Staged– Relocation to

safe area within the building

• Defend or protect in-place

Where Do You Evacuate To?

Evacuate or Relocate?

The emergency plan will identify the method that is used in your building

Follow the plan and the instructions provided at the

time of the emergency

Total Evacuation

Staged Evacuation

ALARM

Building is protected with automatic sprinklers

Area of Refuge

• A temporary staging area that provides relative safety to its occupants while – Potential emergencies are assessed– Decisions are made– Mitigating activities have begun

A stage between egress from the immediately threatened area and the evacuation of the building.

Relocating

ALARM

Relocation Area(area of refuge)

Building is protected with automatic sprinklers

Occupants with Disabilities

• Notification• Movement• Accessible means of egress

Accessible Means of Egress

Defend/Protect In Place

• How long will it take?

• Queuing (lines)

• Physical limitations of occupants

What can I expect during an evacuation?

Where are your exits?

NORMAL ENTRANCE AND

EXIT

EMERGENCY EXITS

Elevators and Emergencies

Principles of Exit Safety

• At least two ways out• Exits are within a reasonable travel

distance• Egress paths are

– Well marked– Well lighted– Unobstructed

• Evacuation training and drills provided

How long will it take?• Complete evacuation may require a

significant amount of time• Evacuation from large buildings

can be physically exhausting• It could slow emergency

responders who may need the stairs to reach the problem

Reporting an Emergency

• Time is critical• Report emergencies

rapidly• Know the

procedures for your building

• Use the best available means of communication

Protecting Yourself

• Do you know how to react if you are faced with an emergency?

• Could you protect yourself and others around you in an extraordinary event?

When all else fails, you are ultimately responsible for your

own safety!

In an emergency, think

REACT

EVALUATE

DECIDE

Take indications of emergencies seriously– Building alarm– Smell of smoke– Observing flames– Warnings from other occupants– Arrival of the fire department

React

Judge the level of threat to your safety– Evidence of a threat to your safety such as

smoke or fire– Conditions in your immediate area– Your physical ability to evacuate or

relocate– The needs and abilities of others you are

with – Additional information/cues you receive

Evaluate

• Evacuate the building• Relocate to a safe location

• Remain in place

Decide

If you stay in the building

Protective/defensive action–Alert fire department of your

location–Seal openings–Be prepared to wait

Re-evaluate Conditions

• Constantly reevaluate your situation until– The danger has passed– You are out of the building

• Make sure you have enough time to take the planned action

Your Responsibility• Keep the exits clear• No storage or other use within the

exit• Do not compromise fire protection

and alarm systems• Promptly report problems with

exits or systems to building management

Questions?