Building Evacuation Procedure and Responsibilities

Building Evacuation Procedure

  1. You are responsible for your own safety but you also have a responsibility to others. Stay calm.
  2. When the fire alarm sounds, or when otherwise directed to leave the building, make sure other people in your immediate area are aware of the need to evacuate. Where possible, stay together and account for those in your group.
  3. Close but DO NOT LOCK doors as you leave. Take valuables with you (if in the same room) but leave large bags behind. Turn off unnecessary equipment if possible.
  4. Know the locations of primary and alternate exits. During an emergency, walk to the nearest safe exit and evacuate the building. Do not use the elevators during a fire- or weather-related emergency. If you are in an unfamiliar area follow the exit signs to the nearest safe exit.
  5. Use an Area of Rescue Assistance if you cannot use the stairs. Make sure your location is known to a campus emergency coordinator. Specialized assistance and rescue will be performed by Fire Department personnel.
  6. Once outside, go to your assigned rally point as marked on your emergency egress map. Report to your instructor or supervisor/manager. Try to account for everyone in your group. Report those missing to an emergency coordinator. Do not leave the area unless you are told to do so.
  7. Emergency coordinators (persons in orange vests) are available to provide assistance and respond to unforeseen problems. Follow their instructions.
  8. Do not re-enter the building until you have been notified by the administrator-in-charge to do so. First responders often silence the alarm in order to communicate with each other. Silencing the alarm is NOT a signal for occupants to re-enter!

Additional Responsibilities for Faculty and Supervisors/Managers

In addition to the above, you have specific responsibilities to your group. Spend 5 minutes at the beginning of the semester or in a staff meeting reviewing how you will work together to effectively implement emergency procedures.

  1. To the extent possible, stay with and guide your group to the nearest safe exit.
  2. If a person cannot use the stairs, you are responsible for directing or assisting them to an area of rescue assistance and providing details of their location to an emergency coordinator. Do not use elevators in a fire-, weather- or bomb threat-related emergency.
  3. At the rally point account for those in your group and be able to report their status to an emergency coordinator.
  4. Encourage your group to stay together at the rally point to avoid traffic chaos and related safety issues.
  5. Assist with injury reports and workers’ compensation claims as appropriate.

Back to Top