Fire Safety

Upon discovering a fire, explosion, or smoke in a building, activate the fire alarm system. Find a red pull station located on a wall and pull down on the lever.  After sounding the alarm, call the Campus Police Department at (843) 661-1109.  Tell the officer who you are, what you have and where the problem is.

If you are trained to do so, after sounding the alarm you may attempt to contain a small fire by using available fire extinguishers. If the fire is beyond your control, or involves potentially explosive materials, evacuate the building.

When a fire alarm sounds, complete evacuation is required. Close doors and windows as you leave.  Walk, do not run, to the nearest stairway exit and proceed to ground level.  Do not use the elevator.  Leave the building and move away from it.  Leave sidewalks and drives open for arriving fire and police personnel. Notify police or firefighters on the scene if you suspect someone may be trapped inside the building.

The alarm may not sound continuously. If the alarm stops, continue the evacuation and warn others who may attempt to enter the building after the alarm stops.  Do not return to the building until directed to do so by the Campus Police Department. 

Planning ahead can save your life.  Here are some things that you should know about your apartment or residence hall:

• Know the layout of your floor.

• Know the location of pull stations on your floor.

• Know the location of stair exits.

• Know the number of doors between your room and the exit stairs. You may need to find the stairs in the dark.

• Know the location of fire extinguishers near your room and on your floor.

• Know where the alternative exits are in the event one is blocked.

Before the fire, Things To Do...

•  Keep a flashlight ready and in a handy place.

• Report fire hazards to your RA.

• Keep your hallway clean and free of trash, furniture, etc. Make sure these items are stored properly and collected regularly

• Be careful not to overload electrical circuits and use approved electrical extension cords. Short circuits are the cause of many fires.

• Cook with care. Double check the stove to make sure it is turned off before you leave the area. DO NOT LEAVE FOOD UNATTENDED WHILE COOKING.

• Never smoke in bed, and make sure there are no smoldering butts when you empty ashtrays.

• Make sure you exit from your room during a fire drill...to a designated area.

If There Is A Fire...

• Stay calm and don't panic!

• Check your door before exiting your room.  Feel the doorknob. If it is hot, do not open the door.  Seal the cracks under the door with sheets or towels. If there is smoke in the room, crack the windows at the bottom and at the top, if possible for ventilation.  Call Campus Police at 1109.

• If the doorknob is not hot, brace yourself against the door and crack it open. If there is heat or heavy smoke, close the door and stay in your room.  Call Campus Police at 1109.

• Activate the fire alarm or call Campus Police at 1109.

• Exit the building and shut all door and windows as you leave.

• Alert others by knocking on doors.

• Exit by using the nearest stairwell.  Do not use the elevator and do not run.

• If your hall is filled with smoke, stay low while exiting.

• If the fire is small, use the fire extinguisher to put it out.  If you are unsure that you can put it out with the extinguisher, evacuate. 

• If you can exit, be sure to wear shoes and a coat as appropriate.

General Evacuation Procedures for Persons with Disabilities...

In all emergencies, after an evacuation has been ordered, the following applies:

• Check on people with special needs during an evacuation. A "buddy system," where people with disabilities arrange for volunteers (neighbors/classmates) to alert them and assist them in an emergency, is a good method.

• Always ASK someone with a disability how you can help BEFORE attempting any rescue technique or giving assistance. Ask how he or she can best be assisted or moved, and whether there are any special considerations or items that need to come with the person.

• Evacuate or assist people with disabilities to get to the nearest stairwell if possible.

• DO NOT use elevators, unless directed to do so by police or fire personnel. If the evacuation has been ordered due to a fire, elevators could fail during a fire. Police or fire personnel will know if the elevators can be used.

• If the situation is life threatening, call 1109 or 911 from any campus telephone.

• Attempt a rescue evacuation ONLY if you have had rescue training or the person is in immediate danger and cannot wait for professional assistance.

Aiding Persons with Specific Disabilities during Emergency Situations...

Blindness or Visual Impairment

• Give verbal instructions to advise about safest route or direction using compass directions, estimated distances, and directional landmarks. 

• DO NOT grasp a visually impaired person's arm. Ask if he or she would like to hold onto your arm as you exit, especially if there is debris or a crowd.

• Give other verbal instructions or information (i.e., move to the stairwell, elevators cannot be used, etc.).

Deafness or Hearing Loss

• Get the attention of a person with a hearing disability by touch and eye contact. Clearly state the problem. Gestures and pointing are helpful, but be prepared to write a brief statement if the person does not seem to understand.

• Offer visual instructions to advise of safest route or direction by pointing toward stairwell exits or evacuation maps.

Mobility Impairment

• It may be necessary to help clear the exit route of debris (if possible) so that the person with a disability can exit to a safer area.

• If people with mobility impairments cannot exit, they should move to a safer area such as the nearest stairwell. If that is not possible, they should move to an office or other room with the door shut which is a good distance from the hazard.

• Notify police or fire personnel immediately about any people remaining in the building and their locations.

• Police or fire personnel will decide whether people are safe where they are, and will evacuate them as necessary. They may determine that it is safe to override the general rule against using elevators.