University of Maryland, College Park Policy Concerning Fire Emergencies

This is a statement of official University policy for the reporting of fire emergencies and for the evacuation of campus buildings during fire emergencies, in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

1. A building fire evacuation alarm is sounding;
2. An uncontrolled fire or imminent fire hazard occurs in any building or area of the campus;
3. There is the presence of smoke, or the odor of burning;
4. There is spontaneous or abnormal heating of any material, an uncontrolled release of combustible or toxic gas or other material, or a flammable liquid spill.

Campus Buildings shall be immediately and totally evacuated whenever the building evacuation alarm is sounding.

1. Upon discovery of evidence that a fire emergency exists, an individual shall accomplish, or cause to be accomplished, the following actions:
   1. SOUND AN ALARM. Activate the building fire alarm in buildings equipped with a manual fire alarm system. Shout a warning and knock on doors as you evacuate in buildings not equipped with a fire alarm.
   2. SHUT OFF ALL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT IN YOUR AREA.
   3. LEAVE THE BUILDING AT ONCE.
   4. CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM A SAFE PLACE.
      1. On-Campus phones DIAL X53333
      2. Off-Campus phones and campus pay phones DIAL 911
      3. Use Campus emergency phones;
         1. Indoors - Yellow wall phones with red "EMERGENCY" markings (some corridors)
         2. Outdoors - Yellow phone boxes with red "EMERGENCY" markings, under blue lights.
      4. When the emergency operator answers, ask for the fire department, give as much specific information as possible. State that you are calling from UMCP and include the proper name of the building and room number, floor, or other specific area. Do not hang up until released by the dispatcher. A PHONE CALL MUST BE MADE! ALL BUILDING FIRE ALARMS DO NOT NOTIFY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
   5. MEET THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OUTSIDE AND DIRECT THEM TO THE EMERGENCY.
   6. ALL FIRES, EVEN IF EXTINGUISHED OR FOUND EXTINGUISHED, MUST BE REPORTED.
   7. ALL FIRE ALARMS, EVEN IF SUSPECTED TO BE FALSE OR ACCIDENTAL, MUST BE REPORTED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
2. The evacuation procedures shall be as follows:
   1. It shall be the responsibility of every person to immediately leave a University building whenever the fire alarm is activated or a fire emergency exists.
       
      All students, faculty, and staff are required to leave the building and remain outside until the emergency is over. No one shall restrict or impede the evacuation.
   2. Department heads are expected to review annually fire prevention and fire survival information with faculty and staff, or to schedule such a presentation with the Department of Environmental Safety. Such information is available from the Department for use and distribution.
3. Whenever it is brought to the attention of the staff of residential buildings, or departmental personnel, that the fire alarm or sprinkler system is inoperable or has been placed out of service, a firewatch shall be established.
   1. Responsible personnel (residential staff, safety committee, etc.) shall be assigned to the firewatch.
   2. The entire building shall be toured at least one time during each hour of the firewatch.
   3. The emergency dispatcher (405-3555) shall be notified each hour that the watch has been performed.
   4. The firewatch shall be maintained at all times that the building is occupied until the fire protection system is repaired.
4. INTERRUPTION OF FIRE ALARM:
   1. No person may shut off any fire protection or alarm system during a fire emergency incident without the permission of the fire department officer in charge.
   2. No person may shut off any fire protection or alarm system during a bomb threat emergency without the permission of the police officer in charge.
   3. It shall be the responsibility of the University Physical Plant Department to reset or repair any fire protection or alarm system after an emergency incident when notified by the fire or police department in charge. The Physical Plant shall inspect each such system immediately after every emergency incident and place the system in serviceable condition.
   4. The fire and police departments may reset an alarm system only if there is no damage to the system and when it is within their technical capabilities to do so.
   5. Any person desiring to interrupt service to any fire protection or alarm system must obtain permission from the Department of Physical Plant, Work Control Center (405-2222) which shall notify the fire and police departments of every such interruption.
   6. Fire or police department must request the Physical Plant to repair or rest a fire protection system, via the Work Control Center (405-2222).
5. INFORMATION RELEASE TO MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC:
    
   All information regarding University fires will be released through the Department of Environmental Safety in cooperation with the Public Information Office. No other University agency or employee may release official statements regarding the cause, origin, or nature of campus fires.

Assistance will be provided by the Department of Environmental Safety to any Department requiring help and advice in its implementation of this UMCP policy.