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Fire and Other Building-Related Emergencies

Fire

Gas Leak

Major Chemical Spill

Incidental Chemical Spill

Chemical Release (external to the building)

Explosion

Power/Steam Outage

Water Leak

Fire

According to The Center for Campus Fire Safety, in the past 9 years, 94 people have lost their lives in 66 separate campus-related fires. It is critical that you know what to do to protect yourself and those around you from the risk of fires, gas leaks, chemical spills, etc.

If You Hear a Fire Alarm

  • Immediately evacuate the building via the shortest and safest route. Do not use elevators.
  • If you notice smoke, use the alternative escape route.
  • Test doors with the back of your hand before opening them. If the door is warm or if you notice smoke, use an alternative escape route. Check paths for safety before proceeding and close doors behind you.
  • Crawl low if you have to go through smoke
    • .
  • Go to a safe area or to a pre-assigned exterior area for your building.
  • If you suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact the emergency personnel outside the building.
  • If you are trapped during a fire emergency, close all doors between you and the fire. Stuff cracks around the doors to keep out smoke. Wait at a safe window and signal/call for help. If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department or 9-1-1 and tell them exactly where you are.
  • Stop, drop and roll if your clothing catches fire.

If You Discover A Fire

  • Leave the fire area and close the door to the area.
  • SOUND THE FIRE ALARM.
  • Immediately evacuate the building via the shortest and safest route. (Proper use of fire extinguishers within extinguisher limits and by trained individuals is optional but should not be attempted until building alarm is actuated and people are evacuated.)
  • Do not use elevators. A fire can disrupt the operation of elevators and trap occupants inside.
  • If you notice smoke, use the alternate escape route.
  • Test doors with the back of your hand before opening them. If the door is warm or if you notice smoke, use an alternative escape route. Check paths for safety before proceeding and close doors behind you.
  • Crawl low if you have to go through smoke.
  • Go to a safe area or to a pre-assigned exterior area for your building.
  • From the nearest phone in a safe area, call 9-1-1.
  • Await emergency response personnel at safe location and direct them to the scene.
  • If you suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact the emergency personnel outside the building.
  • If you are trapped during a fire emergency, close all doors between you and the fire and stuff cracks around the doors to keep out smoke. Wait at a safe window and signal/call for help. If there is a phone in the room, call 9-1-1 and tell them exactly where you are.
  • Stop, drop and roll if your clothing catches fire.

Once You Have Evacuated

  • From the nearest phone in the safe area, call 9-1-1.
  • If you suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact firefighters on scene or at the fire engine, police officers, or ambulance personnel.
  • Await emergency response personnel at a safe location and direct them to the scene. Report the fire to the hall office or the nearest available resident advisor. Do not re-enter the building until instructed to do so by the fire department.
  • Follow directions of fire and police personnel and the housing staff.
  • Report to the person who is taking roll.
  • Never re-enter the building to save your personal belongings.
  • Stay calm.

GAS LEAK (see also Building Evacuation)

Tim Lockhart demonstrates a combustible gas indicator

If You Detect or Suspect a Natural Gas Leak

  • Do not turn electrical switches on or off.
  • Do not use a phone or a cellular phone inside the building.
  • Do not use any potential ignition sources or open flames.
  • Use common sense and never take risks that may endanger you or others.
  • If it is possible, open the doors and windows, to ventilate the building. However, do not spend additional time opening doors or windows if there is an imminent danger of explosion or fire that would jeopardize your safety.
  • Leave the building quickly by the fastest possible route.
  • Do not return to the building unless advised to do so by the Boulder Fire Department or UCPD.

Emergency Procedures

When you suspect or detect a natural gas leak or observe a flammable material spill, follow the emergency procedures listed below regardless of intensity of odor or size of spill.

  1. Leave the area.
  2. Sound the fire alarm.
  3. Immediately evacuate the building via the shortest and safest exit route.
  4. Do not use elevators; always use stairs.
  5. Go to a safe area or to a pre-assigned exterior assembly area for your building.
  6. Call 911 from the nearest phone in safe area.
  7. Await emergency response personnel at safe location.
  8. If you know or suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact the emergency personnel outside the building.
  9. If you are trapped during a gas release/emergency, close all doors between you and the gas leak. Stuff the cracks around the doors. Wait at a safe window and signal/call for help. If there is a phone in the room, call 911 and tell them exactly where you are.

Safety Guidelines For Occupants

  • A major part of any prevention program is good housekeeping practices.
  • Keep all combustible materials away from the flame of your gas appliances.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions in the care and operation of gas-fired appliances.
  • Don't block furnace room air vents. Gas appliances require air to burn fuel completely and operate efficiently. A yellowish flame can signal improper operation.
  • If the pilot flame on a gas appliance goes out, shut off the gas supply at the appliance's valve and allow time for accumulated gas to escape before attempting to re-light pilot flame.
  • Have qualified personnel handle natural gas-related repair and installation jobs.

Major Chemical Spill (poses significant threat to safety, health, or environment)

  • If you discover an indoor chemical spill requiring assistance, do not attempt to cleanup the spill. PULL A FIRE ALARM TO EVACUATE ALL PERSONS.
  • Close all doors in order to isolate the area if it is safe to do so.
  • From a safe area, call 9-1-1.
  • Be prepared to provide the name and quantity of the material, time and location of spill, details of any injured persons, if fire or explosive is involved, your name, phone number, exact location of spill, and where you will meet responders.
  • Follow any instructions provided by the emergency responders.
  • Take personal belongings (ID, keys, purse, wallet) and dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Do not take time to shut off appliances or electrical equipment (e.g., kitchen, lab) unless the switches are on your way out of the building.
  • Move to a safe area, away from the building in danger, ideally to your designated meeting point, at least 100" away from the building. Keep clear of emergency vehicles.
  • When emergency personnel arrive, give them all the details you can about the incident, including the exact location of any persons with injuries or disabilities who have been left in refuge areas.
  • Remain at the designated meeting location until everyone is accounted for. Do not leave until you have checked in with your supervisor or residence advisor.
  • Do not re-enter the building FOR ANY REASON until emergency personnel have advised you that it is safe to do so.
  • If you discover an outdoor chemical spill, immediately contact Environmental Health and Safety at 303-492-6025 during University hours. During evenings and weekends, contact CUPD at 9-1-1.

Incidental Chemical Spill (easily controlled, low toxicity, proper training, proper protection and equipment available)

  • Personnel causing the spill should initiate cleanup at once.
  • Contact Environmental Health & Safety (303-492-6025) for advice and follow-up.

Chemical Release (external to the building)

  • Announce that everyone should stay indoors until all clear is given.
  • Close and lock windows. Secure doors. Shut off heating, air conditioning, or other ventilation systems so outside air is not drawn indoors.
  • Seal cracks around doors and windows with damp towels, duct tape, plastic sheeting, etc.
  • Stay off the phone. Keep phone lines open for emergency communications.
  • After the emergency is over, return ventilating systems to normal operations.

Explosion

  • Evacuate the building quickly and calmly.
  • If items are falling off bookshelves or from the ceiling, take refuge under a sturdy table or desk.
  • If there is a fire, stay low to the floor and exit the building quickly. Exercise extreme caution in exiting, avoiding fixtures, wires, and unstable structures.
  • If you are trapped in debris, tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are.
  • Assist others in exiting the building and move to your designated meeting place.
  • Keep streets and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and responders.
  • Do not attempt to rescue people who are inside a collapsed or compromised building unless you have received specific training to do so. Wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
  • Be sure to know more than one way to exit each building. If an exit is blocked, seek another way out.

Power/Steam Outage

  • Report the outage to your supervisor or resident advisor if he/she is available. Otherwise, call to report:
  • Facilities: Call 303-492-5522
  • Housing: Call 303-735-5555
  • Distribute flashlights if necessary. Turn off electrical equipment if it is safe to do so.
  • Minimize movement. The safest location may be in your office or dorm room.

Water Leak (see also Floods)

  • IMMEDIATELY call to report:
  • Facilities: Call 303-492-5522
  • Housing: Call 303-735-5555
  • If it is safe to do so, turn off and unplug all electrical equipment in the path of spreading water. Do not step in water as it may be in contact with electricity. Do not unplug an electrical appliance that is in contact with water.