Fire Safety and Evacuation Training

University of Chicago Reference Telephone Numbers Emergency Police, Fire, and Ambulance Assistance from any University phone..............................123 from any Non-University phone................…...773-702-8181

General Information Department Telephone # University of Chicago Occupational Medicine (UCOM) 7:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday 773-702-6757

Location Chicago Lying-in Hospital L156, 5815 Maryland Avenue

Mitchell Emergency Room 24 Hours

773-702-6250

Mitchell Hospital First Floor 901 East 58th Street

Medical Center Public Safety

773-702-6262 (24 HR) Albert Merritt Billings Main Office M016 773-702-3010 5841 South Maryland Avenue

University of Chicago 773-702-9999 Environmental Health and Safety 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (24 Hour On-Call Officer)

61st and Drexel Office Building Suite 219 6054 South Drexel Avenue

University of Chicago Medical Center Safety Office (24 Hour On-Call Officer)

American School Second Floor, Suite 200 850 E. 59th Street

University of Chicago Radiation Safety Office 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (24 Hour On-Call Health Physicist)

773-702-1733

773-702-6299

Albert Merritt Billings Hospital M031A 5841 South Maryland Avenue

Biological Safety Office

773-834-2707 (Main) Abbott Memorial Hall 773-834-6756 947 E. 58th St. Room 120

Facilities Services Work Center

773-834-1414

Young Building Basement 5555 S. Ellis

Medical Center Physical Plant

773-702-6295

Albert Merritt Billings M41 5841 South Maryland Avenue

Medical Center Environmental Services 773-702-6296

Albert Merritt Billings WB050 5841 South Maryland Avenue

Fire Safety and Evacuation Training Environmental Health and Safety Purpose: Fire Safety and Evacuation Training shall ensure that all University of Chicago employees understand proper evacuation and fire safety procedures including the safe operation of fire extinguishers. Application: The Fire Safety and Evacuation Training Program applies to all University of Chicago faculty, staff and employees. Terminal Objective: After instruction, employees will be able to utilize the University of Chicago's Fire Safety and Evacuation Training Program to safely deal with emergency situations involving fires and/or evacuations. Performance Objectives: After instruction, employees will be able to: I.

Emergency Action Plans (29 CFR 1910.38) Portable Fire Extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157) • •

Recognize the main requirements of applicable standards Identify the main components and availability of the University of Chicago’s Fire Emergency Plan

II. General Fire Safety • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Recognize the main requirements of applicable standards Identify the main components and availability of the University of Chicago’s Fire Emergency Plan Identify common causes of fires Identify the three elements of the fire triangle Identify the steps of the fire response plan RACER Identify the fire alarm system differences for campus buildings and the Medical Center Identify the high rise fire alarm system uniqueness Match the type of fire extinguisher to the appropriate fire class Identify when it is safe to use a fire extinguisher Identify the steps of the PASS procedure for the operation of fire extinguishers Identify the process for having used extinguishers replaced Identify two methods of evacuation Identify stairwell re-entry requirements Identify procedures for persons with disabilities

Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

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Emergency Action Plans and Portable Fire Extinguishers Federal Standards 29 CFR 1910.38 and 1910.157 Requirements The Emergency Action Plans and Portable Fire Extinguishers standards are mandated by the Federal Regulatory Agency OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Emergency Action Plan standard applies to procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency and types of evacuation routes used in the workplace. The Portable Fire Extinguishers standard applies to the placement, use, maintenance and testing of portable fire extinguishers provided for employee use. Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting. The employer shall provide the education upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter. University of Chicago's Fire Emergency Plan

The University of Chicago

Policy Contents: • Policy • Authority and Responsibility • Fire Response Procedure • Emergency Evacuation Procedure for Persons with Disabilities

Fire Emergency Plan

Location

Environmental Health and Safety is located at:

University of Chicago Medical Center Safety Office is located at:

•

61st and Drexel Office Building 6054 South Drexel - 2nd Floor Phone: 702-9999

•

American School Second Floor, Suite 200 850 E. 59th Street Phone: 702-1733 (5-SAFE)

•

Website Address http://safety.uchicago.edu/

•

Website Address http://home.uchospitals.edu/policies/

Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

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Fire Safety A. Causes of Fire There are three common causes of fires. The primary cause, smoking materials, is often times due to the improper disposal of cigarettes. For example, rather than extinguishing a cigarette completely, discarding it lit into a waste basket, trash can or dumpster can certainly be a contributing factor to the start of a fire. The second cause, electrical problems, is usually due to the misuse of electrical equipment. This can include overloading of fuses, circuits, outlets or even having worn, damaged or fayed cords which can cause fires. The third cause, improper storage or handling of chemicals, is more pertinent to the laboratory environment or chemical storage area. When flammable liquids are left open where the vapors can travel out near Bunsen burners or other sources of ignition, this has the potential to start fires. B. Fire Triangle The dangers of fire include not only the obvious such as flame, heat and smoke, but can also include suffocation, toxic vapors and explosions. When a fire burns it actually consumes or uses up the oxygen in the environment therefore resulting in an oxygen deficient atmosphere which is why fire fighters use a source of air for entry and firefighting purposes. Toxic gases and vapors can be released as a result of whatever is burning. Upholstered chairs, curtains, or even carpeting release toxic gases and vapors known as volatile organic compounds when they burn. Lastly, explosions can occur if there are chemicals that are present during the fire. Before you can extinguish a fire, it is important to understand the nature of the beast. Every fire must have three main elements: heat, fuel and oxygen to start and continue to burn.

Heat: A heat source is responsible for the initial ignition of a fire and heat is also needed to maintain the fire and permit it to spread (e.g., sparks, arcs, flames). Heat allows fire to spread by removing the moisture from nearby fuel, warming surrounding air, and preheating the fuel in its path, enabling it to travel with greater ease. Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

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Fuel: Fuel could be defined as any kind of combustible material and is characterized by its moisture content, size, shape, quantity, and the arrangement in which it is spread over the surface (e.g., solids, liquids, flammable gases or vapors). The moisture content of any fuel will determine how easily that fuel will burn. Oxygen: Air contains about 21% oxygen. Most fires require at least 16% oxygen to burn. Oxygen supports the chemical processes that occur during a fire. When fuel burns, it reacts with oxygen from the surrounding air releasing heat and generating combustion products such as gases, smoke and particles. This process is known as oxidation. The interaction of the three equal sides of the fire triangle is required for the creation and maintenance of any fire. When there is not enough heat generated to sustain the process, when the fuel is exhausted, removed, or isolated, or when oxygen supply is limited, then a side of the triangle is broken and the fire is suppressed.

C. Fire Response Plan The University of Chicago's fire response plan is best summarized by the acronym RACER.

Rescue people from the area of smoke and/or fire. Make people aware that there is a fire alarm activation or actual fire within the building. Alarm - Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station. • • •

In campus buildings, contact the University of Chicago Police at extension 123 when calling from a University telephone or 702-8181 when calling from a non-University telephone. In the Medical Center, contact Hospital Security at 702-6262. Provide your name, the location of the emergency, the telephone number you are calling from and the type of emergency you are reporting (e.g., fire, medical, chemical spill) to either the University Police or Hospital Security.

Contain the smoke and fire by closing all windows and doors to rooms, stairwells and corridors. Extinguish the fire using the appropriate fire extinguisher for the type of fire being fought. Relocate - In campus buildings, relocate outside of the building and away from the main entrance. In the Medical Center, relocate patients/visitors in accordance with your department’s relocation plan. Fire evacuation routes and fire alarm codes are posted by fire alarm pull stations. Do not hesitate for fear of reporting a "false alarm". Any suspicious smoke is cause for concern. Fast action will never be reprimanded, but rather congratulated for alertness regardless of the outcome.

Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

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Learn in advance the location of fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers and fire exits within your building. This will save time initiating the proper fire response plan when an incident occurs. D. Campus Building Fire Alarm Systems All campus buildings have a general evacuation alarm signal that operates throughout the entire building. This continuous alarm shall trigger immediate evacuation of the entire building regardless of the situation. For campus buildings with a City tie, when a fire alarm pull station is activated or a heat or smoke detector goes off, the University of Chicago Police and the City of Chicago Fire Alarm Office receive notification. For campus buildings without a City tie, the University Police notify the City of Chicago Fire Alarm Office. In either case, the Chicago Fire Department responds. E. Medical Center Fire Alarm Systems The medical center fire alarm systems are comprised of a series of three chimes that will be repeated four times. When counted, the chimes will identify what portion in the Medical Center the fire alarm has been activated. If you ever hear a continuous or general alarm with strobe lights, follow exit signs to find a safe route out of the building. Also, notify people in the surrounding rooms of any active fire. It is critical for you to know what your medical center fire code is if you are located in the Medical Center. The easiest way to determine your fire code is to go to nearest pull station and look at the bottom of the fire alarm code sheet where you will see a series of three numbers to identify the portion of the Medical Center in which you are located. Old fire alarm systems identify the three numbers for building, floor and section of floor while the new fire alarm systems identify them for floor, sub-zone and type of device. This chime fire alarm shall trigger relocation of patients, visitors and staff in accordance with your department’s relocation plan. When a fire alarm pull station is activated or if a heat or smoke detector goes off, four things happen simultaneously: • • • •

The fire alarm chimes; The corridor fire doors close for the building; The Chicago Fire Department responds; and The University of Chicago Hospital’s Dr. Red Team responds.

If you see or smell smoke, follow RACER, relocate patients, visitors and yourself in accordance with your department’s relocation plan. If there is no smoke, listen to the fire alarm code to determine the floor and area activated. If the fire alarm is in your building, but not in your area, close all room doors, fire doors and defend patients from smoke without moving them. If you hear a continuous unique signal, this means evacuate the building at once. All Medical Center personnel should report to their supervisors for evacuation instructions. The fire alarms are tested quarterly and evacuation drills are scheduled periodically through the Hospital Safety Office.

Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

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F. High Rise Fire Alarm Systems

High rise fire alarm systems are unique in that will not go into full alarm with audible and visual device activation upon being set off. The high rise fire alarms are in a “silent alarm” meaning fire and police will be summoned but there is no audible alarm present. In the area of activation, the visual strobes may activate to inform of the activation. The Chicago Fire Department will provide instructions over the buildings public address system to inform of relocation as needed. If no instructions are given, do not leave the area unless in immediate danger. Occupants in immediate danger should evacuate using RACER. G. Classes of Fire The National Fire Protection Association classifies fires into five general classes. Fire extinguishers are rated by the type or class and size of fire they are capable of extinguishing. • • • • •

Class A: Class B: Class C: Class D: Class K:

Ordinary combustibles (e.g., wood, paper, cloth) Flammable liquids (e.g., gasoline, paint thinners, oil-based paint) Energized electrical equipment (e.g., computers, x-ray equipment) Combustible metals (e.g., Zinc, Potassium) Cooking media (e.g., vegetable or animal oils, fats)

H. Fire Extinguishers Portable fire extinguishers apply an extinguishing agent that will cool burning fuel, displace or remove oxygen, or stop the chemical reactions so a fire cannot continue to burn. If you choose to fight a fire, there are several things you must know about fires and fire extinguishers. Because there are different classes of fires, there are different types of fire extinguishers. Type of Extinguisher

Color and Description

Class of Fire

Pressurized Water

Silver canister Hose style nozzle

Class A

Wet Chemical

Silver canister Hose style nozzle

Class K

Dry Chemical

Red canister Hose style nozzle

Class A Class B Class C

Carbon Dioxide

Red canister Horn style nozzle

Class B Class C

Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

Pictogram

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Dry Powder

Yellow canister Hose style nozzle

Class D

Water Mist

White canister Hose style nozzle

Class A Class C

When to Use an Extinguisher Safety is your first priority. You should only fight a fire when: • • • •

You know the class of fire and have the proper type of extinguisher to extinguish that class of fire; The fire is small and not spreading beyond the immediate area; You have an unobstructed means of egress; and You are comfortable and trained to use the extinguisher.

If all of these criteria cannot be met, immediately exit the building in a safe manner.

Operation of an Extinguisher When operating a fire extinguisher, follow the acronym PASS. 1. Pull the pin. Some units require releasing a lock latch, pressing a puncture lever or other motion.

2. Aim the extinguisher nozzle (horn or hose) at the base of the fire.

3. Squeeze or press the handle to release the extinguishing agent.

4. Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire. Even when it appears that the fire has been extinguished, continue to sweep the fire with the extinguisher to eliminate the possibility of the fire reigniting. Reactivate the extinguisher if necessary.

All fire extinguishers will have an instruction/identification label affixed to the front of the extinguisher. This label will inform you what type(s) of fire the extinguisher is rated for and provide the correct method of operation. Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

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Before you attempt to try to extinguish the fire, activate the nearest fire alarm pull station and contact the University of Chicago Police at extension 123 when calling from a University telephone or 702-8181 when calling from a non-University telephone for campus buildings and Hospital Security at 702-6262 for the Medical Center. If a person is not comfortable with the process of fighting the fire, leave the area immediately and make sure that doors are closed. Note: An extinguisher will discharge its contents in less than one minute. When the extinguisher is completely empty, leave the area immediately and close all doors on your way out. Fire Extinguisher Exchange Program A portable fire extinguisher can be replaced after being discharged by contacting the appropriate department responsible for the building as listed below: • • • • • I.

Housing and Dining Services (702-2310); International House (753-2279); Residential Services (753-2200); Medical Center (702-1733 or 5-SAFE); All other campus buildings (702-9999).

Methods of Evacuation

Upon hearing the fire alarm or being instructed to do so, vacate the building by removing yourself and others from the building and going to a safe distance from the fire scene, such as across the street or down the street. You can evacuate the building by one of the following methods: • •

Horizontal - Moving from one building to another, at the same level, without leaving the building (e.g., Searle, Kent, Jones Laboratory buildings, Medical Center buildings); or Vertical - Moving down from upper levels or up from the basement level to the main ground level using the closest and safest stairwell.

Note: Never use an elevator as a means of egress within the building where the fire is located. When leaving the building, ensure that all doors are closed, experiments are secured and sources of ignition (e.g., televisions, radios, other electrical equipment) are turned off. Once outside the building, someone in the supervisory capacity needs to take roll call to ensure that all staff and students are out of the building. If it is discovered that staff and students are unaccounted for, the person taking roll call shall immediately notify the University Police Department or Chicago Fire Department officials that someone may still be in the building. DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO. A representative from the Chicago Fire Department, University Police Department, Chicago Police Department or appropriate Safety Office shall notify occupants when it is safe to re-enter the building.

Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

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J. Stairwell Re-Entry Requirements Every stairwell enclosure that serves more than four stories shall have all stairwell doors unlocked from the stairwell side or equipped with a fail-safe electronic lock release system that is tied into the fire alarm system in order to provide re-entry from the stair enclosure to the interior of the building.

K. Persons with Disabilities Twice a year (once at the beginning of the academic year and six months later), the University will ask all faculty, staff and students if they will require assistance in an emergency. Selfidentification is voluntary. The purpose of the request is to assemble information to assist in alerting, evacuating, or sheltering individuals in case of an emergency. Individuals who believe that they may need assistance during an emergency should complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire. The Questionnaire is available on the following websites: • •

Office of the Provost: http://provost.uchicago.edu/initiatives/disabilities.shtml Environmental Health and Safety: http://safety.uchicago.edu/4_11appendixa.pdf

Employees shall submit the Questionnaire to: Environmental Health and Safety 6054 South Drexel Avenue – Suite 219 Chicago, Illinois 60637 Telephone: (773) 702-9999 Fax: (773) 702-6546 Students shall submit the Questionnaire to: Coordinator for Services for Students with Disability Campus and Student Life 5801 South Ellis Avenue, Room 233 Chicago, Illinois 60637 Telephone: (773) 834-4469 Fax: (773) 834-3831 Environmental Health and Safety will work with the individual, his or her supervisor, resident assistant (if applicable), and the relevant building manager(s) to develop a Personal Emergency Plan for assisting that individual in evacuating or sheltering in place in case of an emergency. The plan shall include: •

Identifying the safest area located on each floor within the building to which a person with disabilities can be moved or directed to await assistance from emergency response personnel;

•

Designating a means to inform emergency response personnel (e.g., Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department, University Police) of the locations of any person(s) requiring assistance; and

Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

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•

Identifying at least two rescue assistants who can provide assistance in an emergency. A rescue assistant should be someone who is likely to be in a building during the same timeframe as the individual, but not necessarily in the same area. A rescue assistant can be a co-worker or student. It is recommended that in either case the rescue assistant be a friend. An employee’s department or the appropriate Dean of Students is available to assist individuals in identifying rescue assistants.

Persons who are unable to evacuate should await evacuation assistance in an Area of Rescue Assistance or Priority Rescue Area. Areas of Rescue Assistance: These are located in newer University buildings (Post-1990s), clearly marked by appropriate signage, and typically found in a stairwell or in an area immediately adjacent to a stairwell. Areas of Rescue Assistance are equipped with a telephone and one-hour fire-rated assembly (e.g., fire-rated door, walls, ceiling). Priority Rescue Areas: These are located in older University buildings (Pre-1990s) and identified to rescue personnel as likely areas for individuals to be found in the event they are unable to evacuate from a building. Priority Rescue Areas are clearly marked and are generally located in a stairwell or an area immediately adjacent to a stairwell.

Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

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SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

Environmental Health and Safety Issued: January 1, 1992 Revised: March 31, 2011

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Self-Identification for Persons with Disabilities – Confidential Questionnaire Environmental Health and Safety GENERAL INFORMATION Name:

Phone Number(s): Employee

Student

Resident

Building:

Room Number:

(Complete One) Employee’s Supervisor :

(Complete One) Supervisor’s Phone Number:

Student’s Dean:

Dean’s Phone Number:

Resident’s Property Manager:

Property Manager’s Phone Number:

DESCRIPTION

Please describe the type of assistance you may need during a building evacuation. Do NOT provide medical details.

Waiver: As stated in the Emergency Evacuation Plan, self-identification is voluntary. Although the University strongly encourages individuals who may need assistance during an emergency to identify themselves to the University in order to collaborate on development of a Personal Emergency Plan, you may decline to do so. By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the University’s Emergency Evacuation Plan and decline to participate in this program. Signature:

Date:

Environmental Health and Safety will contact you to discuss your request. All information shall be kept confidential pursuant to the Federal Privacy Act (P.L.93-579) and the Information Practices Act of 1977. Employees please return to: Environmental Health and Safety 6054 South Drexel Avenue Suite 219 Attn: Self-Identification Questionnaire

Students please return to: Coordinator for Student with Disability Services 5801 South Ellis Avenue Administration Building Room 233 Attn: Self-Identification Questionnaire

If you have any questions, please contact Environmental Health and Safety at 773-702-9999 or Student Disability Service at 773-834-3369.