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Fire Safety

If a community member observes a fire and is trained, he or she should put out the incipient fire with the correct fire extinguisher. However, an immediate readiness to evacuate is essential. All fires, even those that have been extinguished, must be reported to (49) 5-5560 or (49) 5-1212 immediately. Never enter a room that is smoke-filled or if the door is warm to the touch.

Persons should familiarize themselves with their surroundings: practice two independent routes of escape, find the location of two fire alarm pull stations, recognize the alarm signal in your building, and pinpoint where you and occupants of neighboring rooms will rendezvous outside the building to account for one another.

R.A.C.E.

• RELOCATE
  When you discover a fire, relocate people in immediate danger, if you can do so without endangering yourself. Exit via a safe fire exit. Never ride an elevator during a building-wide emergency. Close doors connected to the room with fire and smoke.
• ALARM
  Sound the alarm by pulling a fire pull station (typically located near the fire exits on each floor) and call (49) 5-5560 or (49) 5-1212, from a safe distance, to notify the University Operations Center or the HUPD of the precise location of the fire.
• CONFINE
  Close all doors and, if time permits, windows and other openings. Closing doors will segment the space, reducing the rate of fire spread.
• EXTINGUISH
  Bring activities to a temporary halt, evacuate via a stairway, and stand well away from all building entrances (even during inclement weather).

If the Alarm Sounds

1. Feel the door. If it is hot, do not open it. Stay in your room or office. Put a towel or blanket (preferably wet) under the door to keep the smoke out. Attract attention to yourself. Open the window, if possible, and hang objects over the window sill. Call 9-911 or (49) 5-5560 to report your specific location (building, floor and room number).
2. If the door is not hot, open it slowly. If smoke and heat have filled the hall, close the door. Stay in your room or office and wait for help.
3. If you can safely leave your room or office, close the windows first, take your keys, and then close the door behind you. Knock loudly on doors to alert your neighbors. Help the impaired to the nearest exit stairway where the fire department will further assist in the evacuation. Leave by the nearest exit stairway. Never travel by elevator. If you face smoke on your way out, stay low and crawl if necessary. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel or handkerchief, if possible.
4. Proceed to the nearest exit. Do not attempt to reenter the building until the Fire Department gives permission to do so.

For further information regarding fire safety and instruction, contact the office of Environmental Health and Safety at (49) 5-2060, (43) 2-1720, or visit www.uos.harvard.edu/ehs.