Emergency Response to Fires

Fire and Life Safety

 

Upon detection of smoke or fire, follow R.A.C.E.:

  1. Rescue/Remove person(s) from the scene/room.
  2. Alert/Activate the nearest fire pull station, alert colleagues in nearby vicinity, and call 911.
  3. Confine fire/smoke by closing doors and windows.
  4. Extinguish/Evacuate:  If you have been trained in the use of a fire extinguisher, fight a small fire if it is safe to do so or to escape a large fire.  Evacuate facility via the closest, safest exit.
  5. Report to Rally Point at flagpole.
  6. Do NOT use elevators.
  7. Those needing assistance should be evacuated to the nearest stairwell.  Immediately notify emergency responders.

If conditions are safe, members of the Emergency Response Team will sweep the building to ensure that everyone has exited safely.  The building alarm will sometimes be silenced in these situations. Always  remain outside at the Rally Point until someone tells you that it is safe to return.

If you have a private office, leave your office door open to facilitate the sweep process.  Emergency response team members will close your office door when they clear your work area.

To Survive a Building Fire

  • Crawl, if there is smoke.
    • If you get caught in smoke, get down on the floor and crawl.  Hot, smoke-filled air rises and cooler, cleaner air will be near the floor.
  • Feel doors before opening.
    • If the doorknob or the door itself is hot, do not open it.  If the door or knob is cool, brace yourself against the door and open it slightly.  If heat or smoke is present, close the door and remain in the room or seek an alternate exit.
  • Go to the nearest clear exit or stairway.
    • If the nearest exit or stairway is blocked by smoke, go to an alternate.  NEVER USE THE ELEVATORS, which may deliver you to the scene of the fire or trap you.
  • Don’t attempt to fight a fire UNLESS:
    • the fire is very small (no bigger than wastebasket size)
    • you know how to select and use a portable fire extinguisher
    • you have an unblocked escape route

If You Get Trapped

  • Keep the doors closed.
    • Seal vents and the cracks around the doors to keep smoke out.  Use duct tape or a wet cloth, if available.  If you are trapped in a sealed room, and there does not appear to be exterior smoke, open the window, if possible.
  • Signal for help.
    • Post a sign in the window to attract the attention of the fire department.  Provide your exact location.
    • If necessary, break the window and hang an object out the window, like a jacket, lab coat, or other large piece of fabric.
    • In virtually every scenario, it is unwise to consider jumping from higher level windows.

If You are On Fire

  • Stop, drop, and roll.
    • Wherever you are, immediately fall to the ground and roll to smother the fire.  Do not run.  If you see someone whose clothing is on fire, extinguish the flames with a portable fire extinguisher, blanket, rug, or coat.
  • Cool the burn.
    • Immediately use cool tap water on burns.  Do not use ointments, butter, etc.  and seek medical attention.

Considerations for After-Hours Fire

If you encounter or experience a fire outside of typical business hours (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday), follow the R.A.C.E. steps above.  Once you have exited the building, call 911 or FSU Campus Police from one of the blue light campus emergency phones to notify them of the fire.

Rally Point Considerations

If conditions make the rally point at the flagpole by the main entrance unsafe, we will move to a safer location that is within sight of the rally point.