Fire/Explosion

Fire

Evacuation

Fire Emergency: Call 9-1-1

Hazadapt guide:   https://haz.guide/89

Immediate procedures when fire, smoke, or an explosion is detected:

  1. Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station to alert building occupants and Public Safety
    • Fire alarm will sound (either a gong or electric chime)
    • Buildings equipped will also have strobe light activation to indicate an active fire alarm
  1. Everyone leave the building immediately when an alarm sounds.  Notify others around you of the evacuation, but do not delay your evacuation
  • If time allows and you can perform the action without endangering yourself:
    • place the equipment you are operating into a safe configuration before evacuating
    • close doors and windows before evacuating, if this can be accomplished quickly and safety.  It is particularly important to close doors to contain the fire in the room/area of origin.
  1. Evacuate through the nearest safest exit
  1. Call 9-1-1 to report the fire alarm, after evacuating building.
  1. Do not re-enter the building until fire or police give permission to do so.
  1. Move to evacuation assembly area (See Evacuation or building emergency plan).  If evacuation area cannot be reached or is unknown, move as far away from the building as practical, so as not to be in danger or in the way of emergency responders. (a minimum of 50 feet)
  1. Once safely outside, check to make sure no one is missing, and inform emergency responders/Building Manager/[College/School/Department name] Leadership if someone is unaccounted for. 
  1. Do not use elevators during an evacuation.
  1. If evacuation routes are blocked, remain in your room, stand by a window, and call 9-1-1 to report your location, and wait for fire department assistance.
  • If your building is equipped with a fire escape, all other exit routes are blocked, and you cannot wait for the fire department to rescue you from a window area, proceed with caution down the fire escape. 
  1. Individuals with mobility or evacuation concerns:
  1. Students, employees, and visitors who are blind should be assisted through hallways and down stairways
  2. Wheelchair users should follow evacuation routes on the ground floor of a building.  If not on the ground floor, wheel to the nearest assembly area (fire escape or stairway door).  Rescue personnel will search these areas first, and help individuals with disabilities evacuate the building.
    • If no pre-identified area, go to an area that provides a barrier between you and the hazard
    • Communicate with responders
    • Call OSU Department of Public Safety (737-7000 (emergency), 737-3010 (non-emergency)
    • Place a cloth or clothing out a window to attract attention
    • Notify others who are evacuating to inform responders of your location
  1. Employees are not required to attempt to fight a fire.  If you are trained to do so, and can safely do so, use the appropriate fire extinguisher to attempt to extinguish small fires (office trash can size).  Ensure 9-1-1 has been called prior to attempting to extinguish the fire.

Recovery:

  • Check in with [College/School/Department name] Leadership to determine response status
  • Do not enter a building until allowed to do so.
  • Once entering the building, inspect your work area and report any issues
  • If food services are involved, the County Health Department is required to inspect the food service area before food service can be conducted
  • Contact EH&S (541-713-7233 (SAFE)) for additional monitoring or questions regarding the work environment after a fire incident
  • Contact WCC (541-737-2969) to schedule or verify that repair work is being conducted

Mitigation:

  • Store and handle flammable, combustible and other hazardous materials in accordance to OSU policies/procedures
  • Maintain a tidy, waste free work area
  • Conduct monthly room inspection of common areas to reduce fire hazards
  • Participate in building evacuation drills
  • Identify employee responsibilities:
    • Faculty with students – ensure students under direct faculty supervision are evacuating
    • Employees required to stay behind and operate critical equipment prior to evacuating
  • Report problems with fire safety systems immediately to the Work Coordination Center (WCC) 541-737-2969
  • Have a representative participate on the Building Manager’s Evacuation Committee to assist with planning and identifying areas of concern

Preparedness:

  • Staff familiar with fire and life safety policies and responsibilities, to include use of portable fire extinguishers
  • Identify the closest two exits to your work location
  • Identify escape routes to the nearest exits
  • Identify where the fire alarm pull station and fire extinguishers are located
  • Know where the outside evacuation assembly point is for the building
  • Report to [College/School/Department name] Director any obstructions or limitations to the evacuation routes
  • Evacuation maps posted in each room
  • OSU Bridge Training: