Building Policy
EMERALD PLAZA at 402 West Broadway is a fully sprinklered 30-story office building with a clustered hexagonal roof and 3 floors below ground.
FIRE SAFETY DIRECTORS
The Fire Safety Directors (General Manager and Chief Engineer) are in charge of the pre-emergency
planning and training and for implementing emergency procedures. After hours, Security is responsible for initiating emergency procedures. Security is on duty 24 hours.
FIRE CONTROL ROOM
The Fire Control Room is located on the Ground Level off of State Street. Upon notification of an emergency, Security will meet the Fire Department and direct them to the Fire Control Panel.
EVACUATION
The fire alarm emits a whoop tone with recorded message and a strobe or flashing light that reads "fire". The alarm sounds on ONE FLOOR, the floor where the device is activated and in the stairwells. A fire alarm signal is also annunciated at the Fire Alarm Panel and at an off site monitoring company. When the alarm sounds on the occupants' floor, occupants will evacuate the building and proceed to a designated Safe Refuge Area.
EMERGENCY EXITS
Stairwell #1 (East) connects Levels Street - Roof and exits directly outside onto C Street near State Street.
Stairwell #2 (West) connects Levels 1 - Roof and exits directly outside onto C Street near Columbia Street.
Both stairwells exit outside onto the 4th floor balcony before continuing down to the ground level. Both stairwells have roof access.
Both stairwells are pressurized. Activation of any alarm device will automatically pressurize both stairwells. Stairwell pressurization will minimize the chance of smoke entering the stairwell.
Stairwell doors are locked from the stair side for security reasons. Upon activation of any alarm device, the stairwell doors on floors 4-30 will automatically unlock.
Two Additional Stairwells: connect Ground Level with the 2nd floor. One is a "scissor" stairwell to Stairwell #2 (west) and exits onto Columbia Street near C Street. The other is a "scissor" stairwell to Stairwell #1 and exits onto State Street near C Street.
An interior balcony around the atrium connects the 2nd & 3rd floors to the hotel. An interior stairway near the shuttle elevators connects Lobby (atrium) to the 3rd floor.
There are 3 stairwell exits from the parking levels: one exits at the NW corner (on C Street near Colombia); one at the SW corner (on Columbia Street) and one at the NE corner (on C Street near State Street).
STAIRWELL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
In evacuating the building, it is important for all occupants to follow safe stairwell procedures:
- Move quickly but do not run.
- Go to the nearest safe stairwell or exit. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.
- Remove high heeled shoes to avoid tripping. Carry shoes with you.
- Do not carry drinks down the stairs. If it spills, someone may slip and fall.
- Use handrail and keep to one side.
- Walk down.
- Allow room for others to enter into an orderly flow of traffic but do not hold up traffic unnecessarily.
- Gain assistance for those who are slower moving or handicapped.
- Dispel any false information, rumors, etc.
- Treat any injuries incurred in the stairwell, at the nearest floor landing when required and if practical.
- Complete evacuation, do not congregate in stairwell.
SAFE REFUGE AREAS
Safe Refuge Areas are areas inside or outside of the building which would provide a limit of protection.
The designated outside Safe Refuge Areas for a FIRE emergency are:
- The far end of parking lot at corner of C Street & State Street (for occupants evacuating from Stairwell #1).
- The far end of the 550 Corporate Building (for occupants evacuating from Stairwell #2).
It is important for occupants to proceed a minimum of 300 feet from the building (in case of falling glass) and out of the way of incoming personnel. Use caution crossing all driveways. Suite/Floor Wardens will take a head count at the Safe Refuge Areas.