Fire Safety Personnel

 

Fire Brigade

 

A Fire Brigade, consisting of building personnel, will initially report to the floor below the fire to assist in evacuation and provide information to the Fire Command Center. After the evacuation of occupants from the fire floor they shall attempt to control the spread of fire by closing (but not locking) doors behind them as they move towards their means of egress. If the fire is small and conditions do not pose an immediate personal threat, (i.e., a fire in its incipient or beginning stage) the Fire Brigade will attempt to extinguish the fire using hand held extinguishers. (As directed or instructed during their annual training)

 

The use of hand held extinguishes for Fire Brigade personnel shall not be attempted for a fire beyond its incipient stage. The following are definitions and examples of the various stages of fire:

 

Tenant Emergency Personnel

 

Floor Wardens

 

A crucial step in the development of an evacuation plan is the appointment of Tenant Floor Wardens, Deputy Floor Wardens and Searchers; these individuals should have strong personalities and the ability to take charge in the event of an emergency. Strong decision action early in an emergency may save lives.

 

In the case of multiple-tenant floors, a Floor Warden is appointed for each tenant. Each tenant will be required to staff all safety team positions on each floor and should check stairwells and restrooms in an emergency.

 

Floor Warden's Responsibilities

 

Know all disabled persons on the floor (including those temporarily disabled, as with a bone fracture, etc.) and assign people who are capable of evacuating disabled employees down the Emergency Stairwells.

 

Instruct all employees on the floor as to the following:

 

• Locations of emergency stairwells
• Locations of fire extinguishers
• Locations of fire-pull stations
• Never to use the Elevators during an alarm
• Establish a meeting place outside the building where all employees should assemble for check-in.
• Ensure that no one re-enters the building.

 

General Evacuation Procedure

 

In the event of an emergency or disruption to the Building's normal operation the first reaction should be to REMAIN CALM and call the Security/Property Management Office to report the emergency. This will set in motion several events simultaneously including:

 

• The immediate dispatch of qualified assistance for fire, medical, and other agencies as dictated by the emergency.

 

In the event that it is necessary to evacuate part or all of the building, remain CALM and LISTEN to the instructions being given over the public address system, and by property staff. Emergency Exit Stairwells are to be used for evacuation. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS unless instructed to do so over the public address system, or by Police or Fire Department representatives. Stairwell entrances are located on the north and south side of the Building's core in close proximity to the lavatories.

 

When using the Emergency Exit Stairwell, keep to the right so that incoming emergency personnel can utilize the stairwell.

 

An up-to-date listing of all personnel who may need assistance should be kept by the Building’s Emergency Action Plan Director and be documented in the Building’s Emergency Action Plan on file with the Fire Department.

 

Plans for After an Emergency

 

Tenants should pre-assign a coordinator who will act as liaison between your company and officials from the Fire Department and building personnel.

 

The coordinator and property management will work to establish a communications network for all employees in order to pass-on important information.

 

The following recommendations are made to assist you in disseminating a fire prevention program to your employees:

 

• Never leave electrical appliances unattended
• Never use immersion-type heating devices
• Avoid electrical overloading and multiple plugs
• Do not use undersized or lightweight extension cords
• Report failure of any electrical outlets or lights to the Management Office
• Flammable liquids should be stored in a safe area away from heat sources
• Keep paper at least six to eight feet away from operating machinery
• Know the location and type of fire extinguishers in your premises
• Keep fire extinguishers in high hazard areas such as photocopy rooms and employee lounges
• Know the usable time limit of the fire extinguishers available to you
• Know relevant exit locations
• Practice good housekeeping near your desk, in storage areas, in mechanical rooms and in the area of exit doors and hallways

 

Life Safety Systems-- Testing and Fire Drills

 

Fire and life safety preparedness includes regular testing of the fire alarm, fire suppression, and communications systems and regular fire drills.

 

Systems’ Testing

 

The fire alarm and communications systems are tested regularly throughout the year. A full-building announcement is made prior to the beginning of the day’s testing, and an announcement is made on each floor when testing is about to begin on that floor. Another full-building announcement is made when system testing is finished for the day.

 

Fire Drills

 

Fire drills are held twice a year. A notification giving the date and time of the planned fire drill is sent to tenants in advance. Tenants are requested to supply or update an existing list that shows the floor warden, assistant floor wardens, and searchers, and a current list of employees who would require assistance in case of relocation/evacuation.

 

During a fire drill – and in an actual fire emergency – employees should move calmly and quickly to the nearest fire stair exit and proceed to their relocation floor. Fire drills are conducted as follows:

 

• Fire Life Safety personnel will be dispatch to the floor(s) where the fire drill is being performed.
• The drill will commence with the activation of the fire alarm evacuation tone.
• The Tenant Fire Life Safety Members on the affected floors observe the conduct of tenants and guests, ensuring that all areas of the floor are participating.
• Floor wardens and assistant floor wardens are to assist in the evacuation of their assigned areas and close doors behind them. Searchers are checking restrooms, mail rooms, conference rooms, etc., as required.
• After the drill has been successfully completed, an “all clear” announcement is made, and tenants may resume normal duties.