Table of Contents

• Purpose
  
• General
  
• General Requirements
  
• Fire Identification, Notification, and Emergency Evacuation
  
• Fire Safety Inspections and Corrective Actions
  
• Notification and Evacuation Procedures
  
• Fire Drill Procedures
  
• Appendix 1: Fire Alarm Report
  
• References
  

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Purpose

The purpose of this section is to outline a fire prevention, evacuation and protection plan at Florida State University. While this outline does not include all fire safety requirements subject to University compliance, it does provide a convenient starting point for determining whether the workplace is fire safe. Those interested in reviewing more complete code requirements are encouraged to access the references noted above. These references are available at The Department of Environmental Health and Safety 2663, 644-6895.

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General

The major causes of fires on campus include improper disposal of smoking materials, overloaded electrical outlets and extension cords, misuse of space heaters, mishandling flammables, improper storage of combustibles, and unsupervised cooking operations.

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General Requirements

Housekeeping.

All stairwells (in and under), exits, and passageways to and from exits shall be kept free of all obstructions at all times. No furnishings, decorations, other combustible objects or flammables shall obstruct exits, access thereto, egress therefrom or visibility thereof.

Fire doors must be kept closed at all times unless they are held open by an approved device interconnected to the fire alarm system.

Flammable and combustible materials should be present in work areas only in quantities required for the days job, and must be placed in an approved storage area at the end of each work day.

Material must not obstruct sprinkler heads or be piled around fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull station locations, or sprinkler and standpipe control valves. To obtain proper distribution of water, a minimum of 18 inches of clear space is required below sprinkler deflectors.

Dispose of all trash as soon as possible in trash cans or dumpsters. Waste materials must never be piled in corridors or stairwells while awaiting removal.

Electrical Wiring

Use of electrical devices to obtain more outlet capacity can result in overloaded circuits and fire. Minimize the use of such devices and, when they must be used for temporary purposes, the individual responsible for operating the equipment should periodically check the device and outlet to ensure that overheating is not occurring.

All electrical equipment and cords should be inspected periodically by supervisors to ensure proper use and safe conditions. Be sure that all electrical equipment is properly grounded. If any evidence is found of frayed, cracked or otherwise damaged wiring or electrical outlets, the equipment affected should be immediately taken out of service until repairs can be made.

Extension cords are to be used only when a flexible, temporary connection is necessary; never for fixed wiring; never tacked, stapled, fastened to or run through woodwork, ceilings or walls; never tied, or passed through doorways, draped over pipes or other supports, never hidden under rugs. Where there is a permanent need for an electrical outlet, one should be installed.

Electrical Appliances

Space heaters, coffee makers, and all other appliances with exposed heating elements should never be left unattended while in operation. They should be unplugged after each use and stored only after they are cool enough to touch. Ensure that such appliances are operated away from combustible materials such as files, curtains, trash containers, etc.

Only portable electric space heaters complying with the design requirements of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety and approved by Facilities Operations and Maintenance may be used at Florida State University. Space heaters shall not be placed under desks or in other enclosed areas.

Appliances shall bear the label of Underwriters Laboratory, Factory Mutual or other recognized national testing agency, indicating they are approved for safe operation.

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Fire Identification, Notification and Emergency Evacuation

Identification/Notification

In the event that anyone smells smoke or sees fire or smoke and there is a building fire alarm system, they should immediately activate the alarm to evacuate the building. Even if the fire is known to be small, the alarm should be activated immediately. The fire could grow quickly, endangering building occupants. All building occupants should be familiar with fire alarm pull station locations.

After activating the fire alarm, the person discovering the fire should immediately call "911", from a safe location, and provide the emergency dispatcher with the name and location of the building and information about the fire. The FSU Police Department will notify the Tallahassee Fire Department.

After the alarm has been sounded and the fire has been reported, an attempt should be made to extinguish the fire if it is small and if it can be extinguished without exposing oneself to injury. Portable fire extinguishers are available for use. Otherwise, evacuate along with others and stand by to tell officials the exact location of the fire and other pertinent information.

Evacuation

The primary concern in the event of a fire is to evacuate everyone from the building as quickly as possible. In order to accomplish this, occupants must be prepared in advance for quick and orderly evacuation. Periodic meetings should be held with all personnel to explain, in detail, evacuation procedures. When the fire alarm sounds, immediate evacuation is required.

When the alarm sounds and you are in a room with a closed door, touch the door lightly with the back of your hand. If the door is HOT, do NOT open it. Stuff towels, sheets or other materials under the door to keep smoke out. Wet material works well. Next, if a window is present open between 6 to 8 inches to allow fresh air in. Keep close to the open window and drape clothing, sheet, towel, etc. outside the window sill as a distress signal to the fire department.

If you are able to exit the building, make sure you turn off any ventilating equipment, leave room lights on and close the door behind you as you leave.

Once outside, move a reasonable distance away from the building and remain quiet and orderly until advised by the police or fire department officials to re-enter the building. NEVER ATTEMPT TO RE-ENTER A BURNING BUILDING.

DO NOT USE ELEVATORS. Elevators do not provide safe means of exiting during fire emergencies.

Evacuation of Individuals with Disabilities.

When the alarm sounds and you are unable to make your way down stairs, obtain assistance from other individuals who are familiar with your disability.

If no one is able to assist you down the stairs, proceed to the stairwell or designated area of refuge and inform other evacuees that you need immediate rescue. Stairwells and designated areas of refuge are designed to provide protection from smoke and fire; however, doors to these areas must be kept closed in order to afford you this protection.

If you are unable to make your way to the stairwell or area of refuge, ask several individuals to activate the fire alarm on your floor. This will alert the fire rescue team by illuminating the light on the annunciator panel zoned for your floor and will initiate a direct response to your floor. Also, ask individuals to inform rescuers of your whereabouts.

While you are waiting, position yourself so that your face is as close to the floor as possible. Smoke invades upper space first and most of the available oxygen is near the floor. If smoke becomes too dense to breathe, place clothing or some other heavy cloth over your nose and mouth to filter as much smoke as possible until help arrives. Response time for first responders to fires is less than five minutes.

Open Flames and Fireworks

Unapproved appliances which produce exposed elements or open flames such as coleman stoves, fondue pots, candles, gas lanterns, hibachi grills, torches, oil lamps and fire works are disallowed on campus unless approved for use by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.

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Fire Safety Inspections and Corrective Actions

State Fire Marshal

All University buildings are inspected annually by the State Fire Marshal for the purpose of ensuring that such buildings comply with all applicable State Fire Codes. All fire code deficiencies identified are subsequently noted in a detailed report and forwarded to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety to coordinate corrective actions.

Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)

EH&S performs periodic fire safety inspections of campus facilities and assists the State Fire Marshal by conducting follow-up inspections to evaluate the status of corrective actions.

EH&S facilitates fire code corrections by assigning responsibility for specific corrective actions to department chairpersons, deans, and directors, where applicable. EH&S also coordinates the efforts of Physical Plant, Campus Design and Budget and Analysis in preparing appropriate capital budget requests and effecting required capital corrections.

University Departments

Each department is responsible for correcting code violations which are reported to departmental personnel by EH&S. Departments must forward corrective action reports to EH&S within the time frame specified in the notice of violation correspondence.

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Notification and Evacuation Procedures

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety will assist departments in developing evacuation procedures and alternative emergency escape routes to be utilized by building occupants in the event of a fire or other emergency requiring building evacuation. This information should be posted in conspicuous locations throughout each facility for easy reference by building occupants. The evacuation plan will be practiced periodically during fire drills.

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Fire Drill Procedures

Frequency of Drills.

Fire drills shall be conducted in accordance with the following frequencies:

• Residence Halls - a minimum of one (1) drill per semester.
• Florida State University School - a minimum of ten (10) drills per academic year, of which two (2) must by accomplished during the first month of each new academic year.
• Child Care Centers - a minimum of one (1) drill per month a given center is operating.
• All other facilities having fire alarm systems - a minimum of one (1) fire drill per calendar year.

A fire alarm that is activated due either to a planned event, an accident, malfunction, malicious act or actual fire or smoke and results in the building being evacuated is classified as a fire drill for the purpose of meeting the required frequency.

Procedure for Planned Drills

All planned drills must be approved, in advance, by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). For those facilities where monthly drills are required, specific drill procedures will be developed by EH&S for implementation by those departments housed in such facilities.

In every case where a planned drill is to be held, the FSU Police Department and Tallahassee Fire Department must be notified, in advance, of the time and location of the drill.

Following each planned drill, the person in charge of administering the drill must complete a fire drill report form and forward it to EH&S. A sample of the report is included in Appendix 1 on the following page.

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Appendix 1: Fire Alarm Report

Format			Form Number	Form Name
web	doc	pdf
			EHS 3-1	Fire Alarm Report

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References

1. National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code 101, 1994
2. Florida Statutes 633
3. Florida Administrative Code 4A-3
4. NFPA 10
5. NFPA 70

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