Tenant Handbook

Fire

 

ELEMENTS OF FIRE

• There are three elements of fire:

1. Fuel: furniture, plastics, grease, etc.
2. Heat: matches, cigarettes, sparks, electric, etc.
3. Oxygen: in the air we breathe

• 2. Fire needs all three elements. If you remove any one of the three elements, you can eliminate or reduce the fire. For example:

1. Closing doors - reduces the amount of oxygen.
2. Using water - reduces heat.
3. Using Type B or C extinguishers - smothers the fire by reducing oxygen to the fire.
4. C Removing nearby draperies, papers, furniture - removes the sources of fuel.

 

FIRE FACTS

1. In an emergency, use stairwells. Do not use elevators. Elevators can be extremely dangerous in a fire emergency and will be taken out of service.
2. Keep doors closed. A closed door will help limit the spread of fire and smoke.
3. If you encounter smoke, get down on your hands and knees. Air is cleaner and cooler nearer the floor. Crawl to the nearest stairwell exit. CRAWL LOW UNDER SMOKE.
4. Few people are burned to death in fires. Most people die from smoke, poisonous gases and panic. Panic, a sudden overpowering terror, is usually the result of not knowing what to do.
5. Smoke alarms (previously called smoke detectors) serve as an early warning system. SMOKE ALARMS DO SAVE LIVES. Check your home smoke alarm monthly.
6. Sprinklers are heat activated and are very effective in controlling a fire when it is small. When installed correctly and well maintained, sprinklers control approximately 96% of the fires.
7. If your clothes catch on fire: STOP where you are, DROP down to the ground and ROLL to smother the flames. Remember: STOP, DROP & ROLL.
8. Cool a burn with cool water for 15 to 20 minutes. If a burn is charred or red and blistered get medical assistance immediately.

 

ALL SUITE/FLOOR WARDENS AND MONITORS MUST:

• Be familiar with floor layout.
• Know primary and secondary exits and termination points up and down.
• Know best routes to Emergency Exits.
• Know location, type and how to use manual pull stations.
• Know methods of communication.
• Know Safe Refuge Areas during a fire emergency: Inside the Building: (in a fully sprinklered building) usually the enclosed stairwell Outside Building: away from the building and out of the way of emergency vehicles, flying glass and other obstacles.
• Know safe stairwell procedures:

 

1. Remain quiet and calm.
2. Remove high heeled shoes to avoid tripping (take shoes with you)
3. Do not carry drinks or food down the stairs. If it spills, someone may slip and fall.
4. Be sure to close door behind you.
5. Use handrails.
6. Walk in single file.
7. Keep to one side. Fire Department Personnel will be coming up the stairs.
8. Allow others to enter into stairwell flow, but do not unnecessarily hold up traffic.
9. Assist those who are slower moving or in any way physically disabled.
10. Evacuate and proceed to an area of safe refuge.
11. All injuries should be treated at stairwell landings when required and safe to do so.
12. Do not smoke.
13. Do not spread false information, rumors, etc.
14. Do not congregate in front of the building but proceed to a safe refuge area.

 

• Develop awareness of safety conditions, fire violations and potential hazards. For example: fire doors blocked open, improper lighting, frayed cords, extension cords, overloaded outlets, obstructed halls and corridors, trash build-ups, etc.
• For your safety and protection: participate in all fire drills and review your emergency procedures at least once a year.
•  Know your emergency actions and your area of responsibility.

 

GENERAL EMERGENCY ACTION PROCEDURES

If you discover a fire:

1. CLEAR anyone in immediate danger.
2. CONFINE the fire by closing all doors and windows to the area.
3. ACTIVATE the manual pull station to sound the alarm (if not yet sounding).
4. MOST IMPORTANTLY CALL: THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. Be sure to make the call from a safe location. Also, notify the Fire Safety Director/Security. 
5. Use a fire extinguisher if safe to do so & if trained. NEVER attempt to put out a fire alone. Be sure to use the right type of extinguisher.
6. EVACUATE. Walk to the closest safe stairwell or exit. Proceed to an outside area of safe refuge.

If you hear the fire alarm:

1. Feel the door to see if it is hot. If not hot, open cautiously. Stand behind the door, be prepared to close quickly.
2. If there is no smoke present, proceed to your Emergency Stairwell Exit. Evacuate the building and proceed to a safe refuge area.
3. If you do encounter smoke, crawl on your hands and knees along the wall to a safe Emergency Exit. Evacuate the building and proceed to a safe refuge area.
4. Follow instructions from Emergency Personnel.

 

If door is hot:

• DO NOT OPEN IT.
• Use alternate door, if safe.
• If no alternate door, call the Fire Department. Give exact location and all known facts.
• Seal the bottom of the door with cloth material to keep out smoke.
• If water is available, wet cloths and seal the door and any vents.
• Retreat. Close as many doors between you and the fire as possible.
• Signal at the window waving a bright colored material.
• If there is smoke in the room:

 

1. C Stay low - air is cooler and cleaner closer to the floor.
2. C Hold a cloth over your mouth and nose.
3. C Do not break the window - once broken it cannot be closed. If there is smoke outside the window, the smoke may enter into the room you are in. Breaking a window should only be done as a last resort.

 

• Remain calm. Help is on the way.

IN A FIRE EMERGENCY, REMEMBER 3 C’S:

• CLEAR THE AREA,
• CONFINE THE FIRE BY CLOSING ALL DOORS & MOST IMPORTANTLY
• CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT (from a safe location).

• Introduction
  • Introduction
• Emergency Information
  • Emergency Telephone Numbers
  • Building Policy
  • Special Instructions for the Physically Impaired
  • Building Emergency Organization
  • List of Floor Response Team
  • List of Physically Impaired
• Building Emergency Systems
  • Safety Features
  • Fire Inspection Prevention Report
• General Information
  • Fire
  • Fire Prevention
  • Earthquake
  • Bomb Threat
  • Medical Emergency
  • Power Failure
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Chemical Hazards
  • Documentation
• Floor Response Team
  • Fire : Suite/Floor Wardens
  • Earthquake : Suite/Floor Wardens
  • Bomb Threat : Suite/Floor Wardens
  • Fire : Group Leader
  • Earthquake : Group Leader
  • Bomb Threat : Group Leader
  • Fire : Stairwell, Traffic & Search Monitors
  • Earthquake : Stairwell, Traffic & Search Monitors
  • Bomb Threat : Stairwell, Traffic & Search Monitors
  • Fire : Assistants for the Physically Impaired
  • Earthquake : Assistants for the Physically Impaired
  • Bomb Threat : Assistants for the Physically Impaired
• Fire Drills
  • Fire Drill Information and Report