Office of Health and Safety Reg. No. 200604393R Ref : NTU/OHS/SOP/06.2 Date of issue : 24 July 2012 Updated by : Wong Zhi Hao Next review date : 23 July 2014 Title : Standard Operating Procedure on Emergency Evacuation in NTU Issued by : Office of Health and Safety Audience : All Staff and Students 1. Aim This SOP defines the evacuation procedure in support of the Emergency Management Directive with the aim of unifying response during an emergency. 2. Scope This SOP does not include NIE, NTU schools/departments/offices being tenants outside campus, NTU housing facilities and tenants 1 who occupy NTU premises. NTU housing facilities and NIE shall develop its own Emergency Management Plan. Schools/departments/offices being tenants outside campus shall develop EMP in line with procedures given by the landlord or main tenant. Tenants within NTU campus shall develop their Emergency Response Plan in line with the procedure in Annex 1. 3. Definition 3.1 Campus Wardens (CWs) assist in traffic control and guide Police or SCDF from the two entrances (Jalan Bahar Entrance and Pioneer Road North Entrance) to the exact location of the emergency. 3.2 Emergency Coordination (ECT) coordinates the evacuation of occupants. The team should consist of: 3.2.1 Emergency Coordinators (ECs) - ensure that occupants are mustered at the Fire Assembly Area (FAA) or some suitable safe location. 1 Tenants refers to entities which do not bear the same UEN as NTU. Standard Operating Procedure on Emergency Evacuation for NTU Page 1 of 9
3.2.2 Fire Wardens (FWs) - ensure that occupants are evacuated from building quickly. There should be at least two FWs per section, floor or department at any one time. The number of FWs required may be increased depending on the size of and/or number of occupants in the building. 3.2.3 Traffic Wardens (TWs) - assist evacuees crossing roads to fire assembly area, if any. This role is optional. 3.3 Emergency Response Personnel assumes specific duties in an emergency that may occur in school/department. This group comprises of both the Emergency Response (ERT) and ECT. 3.4 Emergency Response (ERT) responds to prevent the situation from worsening. The team should consists of: 3.4.1 First Aid (FAT) - a suitable number of persons who are certified occupational first aiders 2. 3.4.2 Fire Fighting (FFT) - one team leader (1 st I/C), assistant leader (2 nd I/C) and up to four team members or more. For schools/departments with laboratories, the FFT members should made up of persons at work from these laboratories 3. 3.4.3 Spill Response (SRT) - competent persons who are well versed with the hazards of chemicals and biological agents used in their work area. The FFT can also take the role of the SRT. 3.5 Fire Assembly Area (FAA) is an area sufficiently large to hold all the occupants of a building being evacuated. It should be clearly marked and shall be communicated to occupants of the building(s) or department(s). 3.6 Fire Fighting Marshalling Area is an area for ERT to gather for further instructions from the Liaison Officer (LO); (this may be situated either at the building entrance or near the FAA). 3.7 Fire Response (FRT), comprising of workers from the University Facilities Term Contractors, assist the school/department FFT in fighting fire only. The FRT will generally be available at all times and will likely be the main fire fighting team on campus after office hours. 3.8 Liaision Officer (LO or Site Controller ), preferably a senior member of the school/department, assumes command of the emergency, co-ordinate any resources required to contain an emergency and to brief/hand over command to SCDF/Police upon their arrival. In a multi-tenanted building 4, each tenant will have their own LO to decide on emergency matters relating to their area of control. The overall command of the fire and emergency of a multi-tenanted 2 Refer to SOP on Provision of Occupational First-Aider (OFA) and First-Aid Boxes. 3 It is envisaged that persons from the laboratories (technical or research workers) has good knowledge of laboratory hazards and are in a position to understand the risks from the substances used in the laboratory. 4 Multi-tenanted building in this document refers to a single building with few tenants or occupiers who operate independently of each other, e.g. SBS building or Research Technology Plaza. Standard Operating Procedure on Emergency Evacuation for NTU Page 2 of 9
building will be that of Office of Development & Facilities Management (ODFM) on behalf of NTU. 3.9 University Fire Safety Manager (UFSM) is a competent person engaged by ODFM oversees all Fire Safety operational matters in NTU. The UFSM coordinates with the LO regarding the emergency status. For all multitenanted buildings, the command of fire and emergency will rest with the UFSM. 4. Emergency Response Structure The standardized emergency response structure consists of the followings: Emergency Response Personnel Liaison Officer (LO) Emergency Response (ERT) Emergency Coordination (ECT) Appointed By School/Department School/Department School/Department University Fire Safety Manager (UFSM) Term Contractor (TC) 5 Fire Response (FRT) Campus Warden (CW) Term Contractor (TC) ODFM UFSM Liaison Officer (Leader) ERT (Building) Fire Fighting First Aid Spill Response (Optional) Fire Response Term Contractors ODFM (Building) ECT (Building) Emergency Co-coordinator(s) Fire Wardens Traffic Warden (Optional) Campus Warden Legend Figure1: Emergency Response Structure In-charge of Provide support to 5 TC refers to fire protection service personnel under contract for service with ODFM to oversee the fire protection and fire fighting system of NTU. During an emergency, TC is responsible for activating the UFSM and the FRT to support School/Department. Standard Operating Procedure on Emergency Evacuation for NTU Page 3 of 9
5. Roles and Responsibilities of Emergency Response Personnel 5.1 Deans, Chairs and Head of Department 5.2 LO Refer to University Emergency Management Directives for responsibilities; Communicate to all personnel under their charge do as required in the Department s Emergency Response Plan. Takes charge of the emergency at the FAA including collating information on the status of the emergency (e.g. rooms cleared, location of fire, confirmation of casualties, status of persons unaccounted for); Informs NTU senior management and/or OHS of the incident; Receives updated evacuation status from the ECs; Awaits the arrival of the responding crew from the Police or SCDF and report the status to the officer-in-charge of the evacuation and/or emergency; Relocates the FAA to an alternate location if the FAA is under threat or may hinder emergency rescue efforts; Appoints any other person as a deputy during his absence. 5.3 ERT 5.3.1 FFT All FFT will put on suitable identification (e.g. ID Vest or armband) and assemble at marshalling area; 1 st I/C and/or 2 nd I/C check main fire alarm or repeater panel to determine location of activation. 1 st I/C or 2 nd I/C Lead 2 members of the team to the fire location from marshalling area; Attempt to put out or control the fire without taking personal risk; Assist to transport casualty to marshalling area for medical attention; Inform the FW on fire and to commence evacuation of the affected floor immediately. 5.3.2 FAT Get first aid box ready and put on ID Vest or similar identification. On hearing the second alarm: Assemble in marshalling area with first aid box and stretcher; Standard Operating Procedure on Emergency Evacuation for NTU Page 4 of 9
Render first aid when needed or proceed to location if called upon. 5.3.3 SRT Prepare spill kit and SCBA sets, if needed. On hearing the second alarm: Assemble in marshaling area with equipment; Deploy to contain spill, clean up and check area, if necessary or as directed by the LO; Assist SCDF personnel in areas related to his specialization (if required). 5.4 ECT 5.4.1 ECs Put on ID vest or similar identification. On hearing the second alarm: Receive status of building (fully cleared or not) from FWs; Report and update the evacuation status to the LO and/or UFSM; Confirm any missing persons quickly, if necessary. 5.4.2 FWs Put on ID vest or similar identification. Collect whistle and flashlight 6 ; Check floor fire alarm sub-panel to confirm if activation is on your floor; If alarm is activated on your floor - Pre-alarm (3-minutes): i. Check location for fire or sprinkler being discharged; ii. Confirm with Fault Reporting Centre (6790 4777) if fire is seen; ii. State: Emergency! Your name, contact no., building and location. Alternatively, you may activate call point in the same area to confirm emergency if you cannot reach a phone; iv. Ensure occupants evacuate floor immediately. Do not wait for second stage alarm; and v. Leave for the FAA. Display notice (Figure 2) at all exit doors. 6 These equipment are important for assisting movement in a darkened area (in the event of a power failure) and for attracting attention where necessary. Alternative: handheld alarm. Standard Operating Procedure on Emergency Evacuation for NTU Page 5 of 9
If alarm is not activated on your floor, return to your workplace to wait for further announcements or the re-activation of a second alarm. On hearing the second alarm - Emergency (continuous): Ensure occupants evacuate using the nearest emergency exits; Check all rooms on your level, including toilets and pantry. (Note: If rooms are locked, knocked thrice on the door to alert the occupants); When all occupants have evacuated, put up the NO ENTRY sticker (Figure 2) on each of the exits to ensure no one will return. Doors to remain unlock for escape and entry by fire fighters; Leave for the FAA; Report status to ECs. EVACUATION IN PROGRESS 5.4.3 TWs (Optional) Upon evacuation alarm: Figure 2: NO ENTRY sticker Facilitate evacuees to FAA, especially when there is a necessity to cross roads; After assisting evacuees, TWs to report to the FAA. 5.5 A 2-stage fire alarm system is adopted for emergency evacuation in NTU. This must be observed at all times. Standard Operating Procedure on Emergency Evacuation for NTU Page 6 of 9
Annex 1 - For Tenants Located in NTU Definition: NTU Department In-Charge - refers to the NTU Department who leases out or is directly managing the tenant in NTU. For fire safety consideration, the NTU Department In-Charge shall: 1. Provide the tenants with the following information: a. The building fire alarm system protocol (2-stages alarm system, namely the prealarm and evacuation alarm), announcement protocol (where applicable). b. The building evacuation routes and designated assembly area(s). c. The emergency number to contact in event of emergency (995, 6790 4777). d. Advise the tenant on the provisions and locations of fire-fighting equipment or detection systems in the area. e. On activation of pre-alarm, all access shall be opened if occupied. f. On activation of evacuation alarm, all persons shall evacuate and assemble at designated assembly area and report to UFSM or his rep / or the SCDF in command. 2. Request the tenant to nominate at least one focal person for the dissemination of information and preparation of fire drill exercises; 3. Communicate such nominated focal person to the UFSM. This includes any subsequent changes to the tenant s focal person; 4. Establish reporting protocol for the tenant to the UFSM during building evacuation. 5. Communicate NTU Smoking policy to the tenant. The tenant shall: 1. Ensure his occupied area is evacuated in the event of an emergency and report the status to the UFSM. 2. Participate in NTU fire drill exercises from time to time. 3. Strictly no obstructions to fire escape paths or adopt any actions to impede fire detection/ protection or fire-fighting system. 4. Communicate NTU requirements to his employees. 5. Comply with NTU stated requirements. Note: 1. The alarm system is maintained by ODFM, unless otherwise stated in the contract. 2. The UFSM acting on behalf of buildings owners (ODFM) will liaise with tenants during emergency evacuation. 3. If the fire originates at the tenant s area, NTU shall not be responsible for any damages caused by the forced entry by SCDF personnel responding to the emergency. Standard Operating Procedure on Emergency Evacuation for NTU Page 7 of 9
Role Check Panel Put on Vest First Aid AED Spill Kit SCBA Equipment Marshalling Area Fire Assembly Area Summary of Duties Annex 2 First Fire Alarm Liaison Officer Overall co-ordination. Fire Fighting Check panel; Fight fire; Activate 2 nd alarm if necessary. First Aider Get ready first aid item. Spill Response Get ready spill kit and/or SCBA. Emergency Coordinator Fire Warden Traffic Warden (Optional) Whistle & torch light. Confirm fire or sprinkler discharged. Evacuate occupants if necessary. University Fire Safety Manager Alerted by Fault Reporting Centre (FRC). Fire Response - Alerted by FRC; - Check panel and area; - Fight fire. Campus Warden Alerted by FRC. Standard Operating Procedure on Emergency Evacuation for NTU Page 8 of 9
Role Check Panel Put on Vest First Aid AED Spill Kit SCBA Equipment Marshalling Area Fire Assembly Area Summary of Duties Second Fire Alarm Liaison Officer Take charge if the situation until relevant authority takes over (e.g. Police / SCDF). Fire Fighting Fire extinguishers Fight fire if safe to do so. Fire Fighting Fire extinguishers Fight fire if safe to do so. First Aider Stretcher Provide first aid. Spill Response Emergency Coordinator - Receive building clearance status from FWs; - Update LO. Fire Warden Whistle & torch light. - Evacuate floor; - Seal floor - Update EC. Traffic Warden (Optional) Whistle & torch light. University Fire Safety Manager Co-ordinate with LO. Fire Response Campus Warden Standby for escort duty and/or traffic control. Standard Operating Procedure on Emergency Evacuation for NTU Page 9 of 9