(A)
Purpose
This policy is intended to prevent
injury, loss of life, and property damage from fire emergencies.
(B)
Prevention
Fire prevention is the responsibility
of every person associated with Ohio university. All members of the university
community are to exercise caution and fulfill their obligation to prevent fires
and thereby protect human life and property. Exits and exit paths must remain
clear of obstructions and hazards. Report fire hazards to
firesafety@ohio.edu.
Tampering with fire extinguishers,
standpipe hoses, fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, fire alarm pull stations,
sprinkler systems, or other protective fire equipment is strictly prohibited
and may result in expulsion from the university, fines, and criminal
charges.
(C)
All university facilities
In the event of a fire in any
university building, follow the procedures described below, based on the Ohio
fire code, emergency planning and preparedness, and fire
precautions.
Any fire, regardless of size, must be
classified as an emergency situation. During a fire emergency, first priority
must be placed upon the protection of human life, and second priority on the
protection of property and the environment. The area and building must be
evacuated immediately and 911 called to inform the fire department. Due to
personal risk involved in fighting fires and the fact that "small" fires often
become uncontrollable, emphasis must be placed on building evacuation and
notification of the fire department through the 911 emergency communications
center.
(D)
Residence buildings
Because of special nature of residence
buildings, it is particularly important that their occupants full cooperate
with all the procedures and standards listed in this policy. This cooperation
may be critical in saving the lives of the residents of the building if a fire
emergency should occur. It is the responsibility of every resident to be
familiar with these procedures and standards and to observe them
fully.
(E)
When the fire alarm sounds
(1)
Evacuate the
building immediately via the nearest available exit. Go to a location out of
the path of emergency response vehicles, away from fire hydrants, approximately
fifty feet away from the building, and account for the people in your group. If
you know someone is unable to evacuate the building, you should relay that
information to 911.
(2)
If you cannot evacuate the building due to mobility
impairment, the intensity of the fire, or smoke, then wait until help arrives
and "shelter in place" by:
(a)
Closing the doors to the room you are
in;
(b)
Calling 911 to give your location and
information;
(c)
Stopping up cracks (e.g., with wet towels) to block
smoke;
(d)
Opening windows to the outside for fresh air;
and
(e)
Staying next to the floor to avoid breathing hot gases
and smoke.
(3)
In order to slow the spread of fire, doors, and if
possible, windows, should be closed as the last person leaves a room or area
during the evacuation the building.
(4)
Do not use
elevators, use the building's stairwells.
(5)
Do not return to
your room until the all clear signal is given by the Ohio university policy
department (OUPD), or the Athens fire department, or - in the case of a fire
drill - fire safety.
(F)
If you discover a
fire
(1)
Call
911.
(2)
Assist any person in immediate danger to safety, if
that can be accomplished without risk to you or other persons.
(3)
Do not try to
fight the fire yourself; call 911 and be prepared to give your name, location,
and fire information. If the fire is small enough and you have been trained,
you may use a nearby fire extinguisher to control and extinguish the fire after
calling 911.
(4)
Always immediately activate the building fire alarm
system by pulling a manual fire alarm pull station on your way out the building
if the building alarm is not already sounding. In all residence halls and many
other buildings this will automatically notify OUPD and the fire department and
get help on the way. The stopper II device which covers the pull station will
sound a local alarm when opened. Do not mistake this for the actual fire alarm.
After opening this cover, the actual pull station must be pulled to sound the
fire alarm.
(5)
If you cannot evacuate the building, then shelter in
place, as described in paragraph (E)(2) of this rule.
(6)
Never reenter a
building after a fire without permission from the Athens fire department or
OUPD.
(G)
General fire safety standards
(1)
Fire doors in
halls and stairwells must be kept closed at all times.
(2)
Do not block exit
paths, exit signs, or fire extinguishers.
(3)
Do not take any
chances with fire, because even a small one can get out of control quickly. In
case of a fire, activate the alarm, evacuate the building, and call 911. Call
911 before attempting to use an extinguisher.
(4)
If you are in a
room where a fire starts, leave quickly. Close the door to confine the blaze to
that one room as long as possible, but do not lock the door.
(5)
Always close the
door to your room when you go to bed. Many people have been killed in their
sleep by rising heat and toxic gases even before they knew there was
fire.
(6)
If you wake up at night and smell smoke, do not open
your door until you feel it with the back of your hand. If it is hot, leave it
closed. This is a sign that you cannot survive in the corridor long enough to
get down the stairs. In that case, go to the window and call for help unless
you can get out through other rooms that do not lead into the corridor. Do not
jump or use drapes or bed sheets to try to escape.
(7)
Know the location
of all fire exits, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and the nearest telephone,
for use in the event of any emergency.
(8)
Smoking is
prohibited in university buildings and vehicles (including all residence hall
rooms); see policy 44.113.
(9)
Never tamper with
any fire safety device. Never do anything to restrict proper operation of smoke
detectors.
(10)
Multiple outlet extension cords are not permitted.
Power strips with grounded surge protection and internal circuit breaker are
permitted. Do not string wires or extension cords under rugs, over hooks, or in
any place where they may be subject to wear or mechanical damage. All
electrical cords should be checked periodically for wear or
damage.
(11)
Candles, incense, and similar flame-producing items are
not allowed in residence hall sleeping rooms by the Ohio fire
code.
(12)
Other than coffee makers, only cooking devices provided
by the university are allowed to be used in residence hall sleeping
rooms.
(13)
Electrical devices must be labeled approved by a listed
agency. Devices that have been recalled or pose a hazard are not allowed in
university buildings.
(14)
Space heathers are not allowed in residence hall and
other university buildings unless approved by facilities management. Where
approved, they must be operated according to manufacturers instructions, meet
current safety standards, be labeled and listed approved by an approved safety
agency such as U.L., include an automatic shutoff device, and may not be used
within three feet of combustible materials.
(15)
Hot work permits
for welding and other hot work are required and are available from the
department of environmental health and safety.
(16)
All appliances
above fifteen hundred watts must be approved by the resident director before
they may be used in a residence hall.
(17)
All electrical
and utility system work must be coordinated through facilities
management.
(18)
Report all fire hazards to
firesafety@ohio.edu
