Being Safe on Campus: Fire Safety Information

TO PREVENT FIRES

SMOKE CAREFULLY
If you smoke, DO NOT smoke in buildings on campus or near flammable materials. Use large ashtrays and be sure ashes, matches, and cigarette ends are cold before you dump them. Don't smoke while intoxicated.

COOK IN APPROVED AREAS OR KITCHENS AND USE LABORATORY TESTED APPLIANCES

Stay nearby while appliances are on. Clean up grease and appliances as soon as possible.
BE CAREFUL WITH ELECTRICITY
Use only laboratory tested appliances. Don't overload outlets.

HELP ELIMINATE CAMPUS FIRE HAZARDS

FIRE ALARMS                                               

Do not remove, cover, damage, or attempt to alter any part of the fire alarm system.  This includes smoke detectors, pull stations, or alarm panels.  Any problems with the system should be reported immediately to Public Safety.

ELECTRICAL ABUSE
Use of electrical "octopuses" or Power Strips to obtain more outlets can result in overloaded circuits and fire -- replace any appliances with damaged wires -- match your appliance power requirements to the circuit power.

APPLIANCES
Use only college approved appliances. Never leave cooking appliances unattended or use them in prohibited areas. They should be unplugged after use and not stored until they are cool enough to touch. Also, appliances may overload circuits -- keep them away from curtains and furniture - if using an extension cord match the size of an extension cord to the appliance power cord to prevent cord overheating.

OPEN FLAMES
Open flames, such as candles, are not allowed in campus buildings (except authorized labs, classrooms etc.).

HAZARDOUS STORAGE
Dispose of all waste as soon as possible. Surplus material and paper recycling containers should be stored in a safe place, not in corridors, stairs or exit ways.

FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
Flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid etc.  ARE NOT permitted in or around any residential buildings.

OBSTACLES
Storage of bicycles, chairs, desks, and other items is prohibited in all hallways or exit ways. Blocked hallways or exits have caused "chain reaction" pile ups of fallen people during emergencies.

GRILLS

Only charcoal grills are allowed on campus. Only match light charcoal is allowed to be used. NO LIGHTER FLUID. Grills should be kept at least 15 feet away from buildings when lit.

SAFETY TIPS

IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE

 SOUND THE ALARM
If you discover or suspect a fire, sound the building fire alarm by activating a pull station. Then leave the building.

AFTER YOU LEAVE THE BUILDING CALL PUBLIC SAFETY.
- PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY LINE X4911 OR 240-895-4911
Give as much information as possible to the dispatcher!!

 

IF YOU HEAR OR SEE AN ALARM 

LEAVE THE BUILDING
Try to warn or assist others only if you can do so safely. Move away from the building and out of the way of Public Safety and the Fire Department. Don't go back into the building until Public Safety or the Fire Department says it is safe to do so.

FIGHT OR FLEE

Fire is the most common type of emergency a business may face. Small fires can often be put out by a well-trained individual with a portable fire extinguisher but, to do this safely, the individual must understand the uses and limitations of a portable fire extinguisher and the hazards associated with fighting fires.

Characteristics of fires that CAN BE extinguished with portable fire extinguishers: The fire is limited to the original materials ignited It is contained in a wastebasket or other receptacle The flames are no higher than the fire fighter's head The fire has not depleted the oxygen in the room Heat is being generated but the room temperature is only slightly increased Smoke may be accumulated on the ceiling but visibility is good There is a clear evacuation path behind the fire fighter as he/she uses the extinguisher

Characteristics of fires that SHOULD NOT be extinguished with portable fire extinguishers: The fire involves flammable solvents and has spread over more than 60 square feet It cannot be reached from a standing position It is partially hidden behind a wall or ceiling The fire cannot be fought without respiratory protection The radiated heat is easily felt on exposed skin making it difficult to approach to within 10-15 feet of the fire Smoke is filling the room very quickly decreasing visibility Fire, heat or smoke may block the evacuation path

FIRE EXTINGUISHER USE

ELEMENTS OF FIRE             

Before extinguishing a fire, it is important to understand the elements that make up a fire. In order for fire to occur, three elements must be present: oxygen, fuel, and heat. This is represented by the Fire Triangle. When any of the three elements are removed, the fire will go out. Fire extinguishers function by removing one of the three components of the Fire Triangle.

TYPES OF FIRE

Fire Extinguishers are rated based upon the types of fires they are designed to put out. These ratings are identified on the label of the fire extinguisher. Care should be taken to ensure the extinguisher chosen to put out a fire is proper for the type of fire. Listed below are the four main types of ratings.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER RATINGS

Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher refers to the amount of water the fire extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will extinguish.

Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher states the approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid fire that a non-expert person can expect to extinguish.

Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires. This class of fire extinguishers does not have a numerical rating. The presence of the letter "C" indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. There is no picture designator for Class D extinguishers. These extinguishers generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires.

 MULTI-CLASS RATINGS   

Many extinguishers available today can be used on different types of fires and will be labeled with more than one designator, e.g. A-B, B-C, or A-B-C. Make sure that if you have a multi-purpose extinguisher it is properly labeled

THE COLLEGE USES THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS
Water (Class A)
Multipurpose Dry Chemical (Class ABC)

HOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER

PASS
Follow the PASS procedure when operating any fire extinguisher:
P:  Pull the pin.
A:  Aim at the base of the fire.
S:  Squeeze the handle or lever.
S:  Sweep from side to side.

RULES FOR EXTINGUISHER USAGE

Be trained in extinguisher use
Use on small fires that are not spreading;
Know what type of fuel is burning;
Before extinguishing the fire, position yourself with the exit at your back;
Do not attempt to extinguish the fire if you are in jeopardy or feel uncomfortable doing so.

Note: Missing or discharged fire extinguishers should be reported immediately to the Office of Public Safety at x4911 or 240-895-4911.

 

SURVIVING A BUILDING FIRE

CRAWL IF THERE IS SMOKE
If you get caught in smoke, get down and crawl. Cleaner, cooler air will be near the floor. Get Low - And Go.

FEEL DOORS BEFORE OPENING
Before opening any doors, feel the metal knob. If it is hot, don't open the door. If it is cool, brace yourself against the door, open it slightly, and if heat or heavy smoke are present, close the door and stay in the room.

GO TO THE NEAREST EXIT OR STAIRWAY
If the nearest exit is blocked by fire, heat, or smoke, go to another exit. Learning these exits in advance will save time in an evacuation.

ALWAYS USE THE STAIRS TO EXIT NOT AN ELEVATOR
Elevator shafts may fill with smoke or the power may fail, leaving you trapped. Stairway fire doors will keep out fire and smoke -- if they are closed -- and will protect you until you get outside.

CLOSE AS MANY DOORS AS POSSIBLE

As you leave. This helps to confine the fire.

TOTAL AND IMMEDIATE EVACUATION IS SAFEST
Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is very small and you know how to do it safely. If you can't put out the fire, leave immediately. Make sure the Public Safety is called -- even if you think the fire is out.

IF YOU GET TRAPPED

KEEP THE DOORS CLOSED
Seal cracks and vents if smoke comes in. If you're trapped in a room and there's no smoke outside, open the windows -- from the top to let out the heat and smoke and from the bottom to let in fresh air.

SIGNAL FOR HELP
Hang an object at the window (a bed sheet, jacket, shirt) to attract the fire department's attention. If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department and report that you are trapped. Be sure to give your room number and location.

SOMETIMES IT IS SAFER TO STAY IN PLACE
If all exits from a floor are blocked, go back to your room, close the door, seal cracks, open the windows if safe, wave something at the window, and shout or phone for help.

DON'T JUMP! THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL RESCUE YOU!!!

IF YOU ARE ON FIRE

STOP, DROP, AND ROLL
If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop, and roll, wherever you are. Rolling smothers the fire.

COOL BURNS
Use cool tap water on burns, immediately. Don't use ointments. If skin is blistered, dead white, brown or charred, call Public Safety.

Fire Safety Report