FIRE SAFETY POLICY & PROCEDURES TRAINING Developed by Office of Environmental Health & Safety 783-2584
In the event of a fire, the most important goal is life safety. Buildings and contents can be replaced but your life can not. Remain calm and evacuate the facility. Evacuation is mandatory for all individuals when the fire alarm is sounding. Anyone who fails to evacuate may face disciplinary action.
Make sure you familiarize yourself with the evacuation floor plans posted in each building and plan two ways to exit in case one exit is not available due to fire or some other obstruction or hazard.
Remain calm and evacuate the facility. Do not use elevators to evacuate. Never assume that a fire alarm is a drill or false alarm. Persons evacuating the building should report to their assigned emergency assembly point, as directed by their supervisor or Residential Advisor. Do not congregate in the doorways, exits or emergency lanes. These areas must be kept clear. After you have checked in with your designated person, you may wait in a nearby safe building if there is inclement weather. Do not re-enter the facility until authorized by the Morehead Fire Department or MSU Police Department. If you have any information regarding the alarm, present that information immediately to the responding emergency personnel.
Before opening any door, feel the door. If it is HOT, do not open it. If it is not hot, brace yourself against the door, open it slightly, and if heat or heavy smoke are present, close the door and stay in your room. If you are trapped by the smoke or fire and not capable of evacuating the building, close yourself into a safe room and stuff clothing or towels under the door to minimize smoke from entering the room. If possible, you may open the window and signal that you are trapped and need rescue. If you can t open the window then wave something white or bright in the window to get attention. Do not break glass if there is a possibility of it falling and injuring those below. Remember you can crawl to avoid smoke. STOP, DROP and ROLL if you are on fire. Always remember to follow the instructions of the emergency responders.
If you discover a fire or smoke situation, activate the fire alarm pull station and call, or have someone call, the MSU Police Department. Evacuate the building and report to your designated area. Do not attempt to put out the fire unless you have been specifically trained to do so by the Fire Department or MSU Environmental Health & Safety. Using a fire extinguisher without proper training can be deadly and our policy is for employees to evacuate rather than try to put out a fire. Some of our extinguishers are Type A Water Only and could electrocute someone if they sprayed them on energized appliances and equipment. If you have had fire extinguisher training through MSU Environmental Health and Safety or the Morehead Fire Department and feel comfortable, you may attempt to put out a very small fire as long as the building is being evacuated, emergency response personnel are on the way and you have a safe exit in case the extinguisher does not extinguish the fire.
Unattended Cooking Carelessness Electricity Housekeeping Improper Storage Equipment Space Heaters Construction Cleaning Supplies Flammable Liquids Combustible Liquids
Overloaded circuits pose a serious fire hazard.
Most electrical power strips have a maximum load of 15 amps.
To determine how many watts a branch circuit can handle, you need to know two things. First, you need to know how many amperes, or amps, for which a circuit is rated. An amp is the amount of electrical current that flows through a circuit. In most homes, lighting and small appliance circuits are 15 or 20 amps, and major appliances are on 20, 50 or even 60 amp circuits. Second, you need to know the volts flowing through the wires. Volts are a measure of the pressure that causes current to flow through a circuit. Generally, household wiring is 120 or 240 volts.
To determine the amount of wattage a branch circuit can handle, multiply the circuit's amperage by the circuit's volts. A 15-amp, 120-volt circuit can handle 1,800 watts. A 20-amp, 120-volt circuit can handle 2,400 watts.
Small Appliances Hot Plate = 1650 Microwave = 1450 Coffee maker = 1200 Toaster = 1150 Vacuum = 750 1350 Hair Dryer = 600 Blender = 300 Computer = 300 Box Fan = 175 Crockpot = 150 TV = 150 Radio = 70 Large Appliances & Tools Clothes Dryer = 4900 Oven = 4000-8000 Table saw = 4500 Water heater = 2000-5000 Circular Saw = 1200 Dishwasher = 1200 Drill Press = 1100 Refrigerator = 615 Furnace = 500 Power Drill = 360
Coffee Maker (1200 W) + Microwave (1450 W) =
Room Heater(1350) + Computer(300) + TV(150) + Radio (70)
Never leave cooking unattended! Follow the recipe or instructions on the package. Designated cooking areas should be established in each building if an open element heating device such as an oven, hotplate, toaster or toaster oven is used. These items are not permissible in individual rooms or offices. Cooking areas must have proper fire protection and approval from the office of Environmental Health & Safety. They must be kept clean and uncluttered. Areas must not contain an excessive amount of flammable materials.
A higher wattage will cook foods faster. Most microwaves have power that falls between 600 to 1200 watts. Recipes written for the microwave usually specify power of at least 800 watts so the foods cook evenly.
Popcorn Cook the bag of popcorn according to package directions -- but stay right there at the microwave so you can shut it off as soon as the pops slow down (less than about 2 seconds between pops), even if that means you're only popping for about 2/3 of the suggested cooking time.
Keep the microwave door closed. Unplug the unit. Close the door to the kitchen area. Activate the building fire alarm and call 911. Evacuate the building. Inform first responders of the location of the contents on fire.
Areas should be kept neat and organized to reduce fire hazards and allow for easy evacuation & rescue.
All chemicals, including household type cleaning chemicals, must be stored properly and labeled. Combustible, flammable and/or potentially explosive chemicals must be stored in a fire safe cabinet. All old chemicals should be disposed of properly. Contact EHS at 784-2584 for more information on storage requirements and disposal.
All equipment must be maintained in proper working order and free of hazards including fires. If equipment is in disrepair, it must be tagged out of service until it is repaired. Never attempt to operate equipment that has been tagged out of service.
Fire extinguishers are primarily there for the use of trained first responders. Life safety is the first priority. The University expects employees, students and guest to alarm the building and evacuate, not to try and extinguish a fire.
Fire extinguisher use can create more hazards or be life threatening without proper training. Some fire extinguishers on campus are Type A Water Only. If you spray energized equipment with them, you could be shocked or electrocuted. If you use them on a grease or oil fire, it could cause it to spread. MSU has some Type A water extinguishers with a stainless steel jacket and look like the one in the picture below. They are being phased out over the next few years in favor of the ABC type extinguishers. WATER ONLY: DO NOT USE ON ELECTRICAL, OIL OR CHEMICALS.
Please consider the following first before you decide to use a fire extinguisher: 1. The building occupants have been notified and are evacuating. 2. You are trained in the use of extinguishers. 3. You know what is burning. 4. Fire is not spreading rapidly. 5. Smoke and heat has not filled the area. 6. You have a clear path of escape. 7. Follow your instincts.
If you do try to operate an extinguisher, remember PASS. 1) Pull the pin 2) Aim at the base of the fire 3) Squeeze the handle 4) Sweep nozzle side to side
Fire safety and emergency procedures training is presented to all Residence Hall Advisors at the beginning of the Fall semester. Fire safety and emergency procedures are offered to all new employees at MSU 199. In person training by EHS staff is also given to employees at the request of their supervisor. This presentation was created for employees and students that can not attend a live training course or as a refresher and is available on the EHS website.
A firewatch is mandatory when any automatic fire detection or suppression system is impaired. Firewatch signs will be posted at all entrance and exit points of the building. Personnel are assigned to assist as a human fire detector until the system is restored. All occupants are asked to be on alert for the smell of smoke or detection of fire. All occupants should evacuate upon hearing an airhorn, megaphone or some other alert that the building is on fire.
Occasionally, the fire system needs maintenance and will alarm a trouble signal at the fire panel box. If you hear a signal coming from the fire panel, please call EHS at 783-2584. EHS will promptly check the trouble signal and call a licensed contractor to make repairs if needed. Just because the panel indicates a trouble exists, it doesn t mean the system is impaired or that we must institute a firewatch.
Arson: Arson is knowingly setting fire to or burning property. The University holds zero tolerance for arson committed by staff, students or their guests. Alleged acts of arson will be investigated and punished to the full extent of the law. Arson is a felony offense. Criminal penalties include prison and substantial fines. Tampering with Life Safety Equipment: Tampering with life safety equipment is strictly prohibited. Life safety equipment includes fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, emergency exit lighting and smoke/heat detectors. Misuse of this equipment endangers lives, such as when repeated false alarms lull members of the campus community into a false sense of security. It also inconveniences them, such as when mass evacuations are required by a false alarm. False alarms also endanger the larger Morehead community by diverting the city s firefighting resources when they might be needed for an actual emergency elsewhere. The University views arson and tampering with fire safety equipment as some of the most serious violations in the Code of Conduct. A person who pulls a fire alarm or falsely reports an emergency to police or the fire department will be punished under the Kentucky Revised Statute 512.040. If convicted of this Class B misdemeanor, it means up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail.
Tampering with and/or blocking the Sprinkler System: Items such as clothes hangers, decorations, etc., must not be placed on the sprinkler heads and related piping. Doing so can activate the sprinkler system, resulting in water and property damage. There must be an 18 inch clearance between the sprinkler head and any furniture or storage material. Do not obstruct any sprinkler equipment. Failure to Evacuate: When an alarm sounds, all occupants must immediately vacate the building. This includes all residences and academic buildings. Drills will be conducted periodically to ensure knowledge of evacuation procedures, and staff members will check rooms for compliance.
Dangerous Decorations: Hallway or room lights are not to be covered at any times. No live trees. Only small artificial trees and small bulb light sets that are UL listed are permitted. No electrical wiring (light sets, extension cords, etc.) is to be placed on the exterior of the rooms (doors or windows). No more than 3 light sets can be strung together in the same outlet. Light sets must be turned OFF before leaving the room and while sleeping. Possessing and/or using Flammable Materials: This includes, but is not limited to candles (lit and unlit), incense, electric skillets, hot plates, fireworks, gasoline, paint thinners, and lamp oils with the exception of permissible use in designated academic labs, workshops and maintenance areas. Smoking is prohibited campus-wide with the exception of two designated outdoor smoking areas.
No candles, incense or oil lamps are allowed in residence halls. Because more than one residence hall room/apartment share the same circuit, there is a possibility of an electrical overload; students should be considerate and conscious of the number and frequency of appliances they use. Students should also limit the number of extension cords used in a room. Only connect low voltage equipment such as computers, charging devices, radios and speakers to extension cords or power supplies. Electrical cords must be stamped UL approved. Electrical cords or other lines shall not be suspended unsupported across emergency showers, overhead pipes or frames, metal racks, etc. Do not run cords through holes in walls or ceilings or through doorways or windows. Do not place under carpet, rugs, or heavy objects. Do not place cords on pathways or other areas where repeated abuse can cause deterioration of insulation. Microwave ovens (700 watts maximum) and student-owned refrigerators with a size capacity of 4.5 cubic feet are permitted (one per room). Electric space heaters are not permitted. Small hand appliances, such as coffee pots, blenders, mixers, crock pots, George Foreman Grill, and personal care appliances are permitted in rooms. These appliances should have enclosed heating elements and the Underwriter s Laboratory approval. When using a cooking appliance, students must always be in the room and appliances must be turned OFF before leaving the room in order to prevent fires. Electric skillets, hot plates, toasters and toaster ovens are not included in this category and are not permitted in residence halls. Residents may have a television with a power usage limitation of 1.6 amps or 175 watts or less. Sun lamps, halogen lamps and personal air conditioners are not allowed. During fire and safety inspections, University officials will require the removal of prohibited appliances or materials.
No open flame candles, incense or oil lamps are allowed in office space. Designated cooking areas should be established in each building if an open element heating device such as an oven, hotplate, toaster or toaster oven is used. Those areas must have proper fire protection including a heat/smoke detector and fire extinguisher. When using a cooking device (including microwaves), employees and work studies must always be in the room and appliances must be turned OFF before leaving the room to prevent fires. Cooking, refrigeration, and heating devices must be directly plugged into an available socket and not connected to extension cords or power bars. They must be UL approved. Only connect low voltage equipment such as computers, charging devices, radios and speakers to extension cords or power supplies. Electrical cords must be stamped UL approved. All space heaters must be UL approved and designed to automatically turn off if they are knocked over or if they overheat. Space heaters must be directly plugged into an available socket and never used with an extension cord or power supply bar. Electrical cords or other lines shall not be suspended unsupported across emergency showers, overhead pipes or frames, metal racks, etc. Do not run cords through holes in walls or ceilings or through doorways or windows. Do not place under carpet, rugs, or heavy objects. Do not place cords on pathways or other areas where repeated abuse can cause deterioration of insulation. Space heaters must be located 36 inches (3 ft.) from any combustible materials and only used when absolutely necessary. They should be turned off when not in the room. Records rooms and other areas with excessive combustible materials should not be used for cooking. Maintain office and storage space in an orderly manner to minimize accumulation of combustible materials.
If you have comments or questions Please contact: Office of Environmental Health & Safety 606-783-2584