Fire Safety Policy
Evacuating in an Emergency
When an alarm sounds, follow these fire evacuation procedures:
1. Leave the building immediately upon activation of the fire alarm. Under normal conditions, you are expected to evacuate from any housing facility in less than 3 minutes.
2. Learn the locations of the two exits nearest to your room. Do not assume your usual exit is closest or safest.
3. If possible, bring your keys and Student ID and dress for the weather (i.e., shoes and a coat).
4. When you leave your room, close the door.
5. If smoke is present, crawl low to the floor or stay in your room (if you cannot leave your room, see number nine below).
6. Only use stairways; never use an elevator.
7. On your way to the safest exit, if possible, warn fellow neighbors by knocking on doors. Once outside, go to the building’s designated gathering point (see pages 7 and 8), which is at least 150 feet away from the building.
8. Do not re-enter the building until instructed by University or fire department officials. If you are a student with a plan from Disability Support Services that indicates you are to go to another building, report to that location immediately rather than remaining at the housing facility gathering point.
9. If you cannot leave your room due to a respiratory disability or for any other reason:
a. block all openings with wet towels;
b. call 911 and advise the dispatcher of your location;
c. stay close to the window holding a wet towel to your face;
d. do not open the windows except to alert rescue personnel by hanging a white sheet or cloth out of the window.
It is good practice to be aware of, and make use of, all fire exits. All exterior doors will automatically unlock in the event of a fire alarm. In a fire emergency, always be aware of multiple evacuation paths.