UC Davis Safety Services Monthly Safety Spotlight February 2011: Building a Fire-Smart Campus Safety Discussion Topics Fire prevention: Take it personally

UC Davis Safety ServicesMonthly Safety Spotlight

February 2011: Building a Fire-Smart Campus

• Safety Discussion Topics• Fire prevention: Take it personally• Getting the right permits• Get the proper training• FireNets – Your go-to resource for fire prevention• Report all fires, no matter how small• Keeping corridors and exits clear• Use fire extinguishers correctly• Evacuate quickly and efficiently

Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe.

Monthly Safety Spotlight, February 2011

The most effective fire prevention measures are those that are integrated into our everyday activities so they become a normal part of doing business. Make it a departmental – and personal – priority to incorporate fire safety steps into everything you do.

• All employees – at every level and in every area – have the power to make a difference

• Nearly every campus activity has the potential to either contribute to or reduce fire danger

• Your decisions affect not only you, but also your family, your co-workers and everyone in the campus community. You have an influence; make it a positive one!

• Take a few seconds to think about the fire implications of your work tasks before you get started on your daily activities.

• Cultivate a fire-smart mindset. Keep prevention top of mind so you can incorporate the appropriate measures into both routine tasks and special projects.

• Catch up on key training elements and regularly update your training.

• Be proactive! Participate in creating an emergency response plan for your department or unit.



Think fire safety before you start your next project. Obtaining the correct permits will ensure that proper prevention measures are taken.

Apply for a permit at least 72 hours in advance if you are planning any of the following. To download the permit forms from the Fire Prevention Services website, go to safetyservices.ucdavis.edu and click on the Fire Prevention button.

How do I know when I need to get a permit?

• Open flame situations including

• Candles used during parties, celebrations and special events

• Campfires

• Any other open flame

• “Hot Work,” such as:• Welding

• Soldering

• Brazing

• Grinding

• Hazardous conditions, including

• Use of hazardous materials

• Field work where dry grass could catch fire, and other field conditions



Get the training you need to avoid dangerous situations, eliminate common fire-related pitfalls, and respond appropriately during an emergency. Update your training periodically to keep your knowledge current.

All staff members should understand and follow departmental safety procedures, including these essentials:

• Evacuation procedures, including the location of your designated evacuation area

• What to do in case of medical emergency

• Location of fire extinguishers and other safety equipment

• Policy for the use of extension cords, power strips, surge protectors, etc.

• Safe use of appliances such as coffee pots, specialized equipment, and other equipment, including review of the Portable Space Heater Guidelines.

• Safe storage measures for hazardous materials in labs, workshops and other campus settings

• Safe use of pyrophoric substances (materials that spontaneously combust when they come in contact with the air)

• Safe use of flammable storage cabinets

• Keeping evacuation routes and fire exits clear of storage and other obstacles

• Knowing and following procedures for reporting emergencies, unsafe conditions, near-misses



UC Davis Fire Prevention Services supports your fire prevention efforts by publishing FireNets, a conven-ient, online collection of informational bulletins about campus fire safety for everyone on campus.

UC Davis FireNets are updated regularly. Visit safetyservices.ucdavis.edu and click on the Fire Prevent-ion button to access FireNets on the following topics:

• Building inspections

• Building interior/exterior fire safety

• Construction and remodeling

• Emergency evacuation procedures

• Fire apparatus and protection systems

• Fire extinguishers

• Permit applications

• Plan review

• Special events

• The Fire Prevention website also contains easy to use online permit application forms.



Building a Fire-Smart Campus

Even a fire that seems small or insignificant has the potential to cause injury, loss of life and damage to valuable campus facilities. A fire also tells a story after it’s extinguished, providing data that professionals can use to help prevent future incidents.

• ALL FIRES, even small ones that are controlled by a fire extinguisher, or that self-extinguish, must be reported immediately by sounding the alarm and calling 9-1-1.

• Firefighters investigate the circumstances so they can study trends, notify others of potential danger, modify procedures and take other measures to prevent future similar fires.

• If someone is trying to use an extinguisher (only on a fire that is smaller than a 5-gallon wastebasket), they or another person must also sound the fire alarm and call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Don’t be embarrassed to call for help. You will feel much worse if your actions delayed the Fire Department’s response and someone got hurt.

• Concentrate on getting yourself and your co-workers out of the area as efficiently as possible so firefighters can enter.




• Keep fire doors closed at all times. A fire can quickly move from one area of the building to another when fire doors are propped open.

• Do not place anything against or near an emergency exit. Hallways and fire exits must be completely clear of objects that would hamper an evacuation. Exceptions such as water fountains and eye-wash stations must be authorized in writing by the Fire Department.

• Be sure the exits in your area are clearly marked and not obstructed from view.

• If exit signs in your building are not operating properly (i.e. illuminated), contact the Service Request Center at 530-752-1655.

Smoke and toxic byproducts in the air, and general confusion can make it hard to find the exit during a fire. Ordinary objects can become life-threatening obstacles during an evacuation. Don’t take short-cuts on campus procedures concerning storage, clear exit paths and exit doors. It could cost a life.

These pictures are from the same fire, and clearly show the effectiveness of a fire door. With the fire-rated door (left) closed, the interior of the room (right) was destroyed; while the outside hallway remained clear enough for everyone to escape.

* For more information, review the UC Davis FireNets “Fire Doors Can Protect You…if They are Used Properly” and “Corridor Storage.” To access FireNets, go to safetyservices.ucdavis.edu and click on the Fire Prevention button.




Fire extinguishers are not the solution for every fire. They should be used with caution. Learn the do’s and don’ts regarding fire extinguishers before you’re called upon to use one! Rule #1: sound the alarm and call 9-1-1, then reach for the fire extinguisher.

• Call for help first, then grab the fire extinguisher! You need to call for help, because even if you manage to put the fire out, it will need to be investigated by Fire Department staff.

• In case you don’t succeed in putting the fire out, the professionals will already be on their way to take care of the problem.

• Only use a fire extinguisher on a fire smaller than a 5-gallon wastebasket. With a fire any larger than that, focus on evacuating the area immediately.

• Take advantage of campus fire extinguisher training. Learn about the different types of fires and which extinguishers to use. Contact Fire Prevention Services to schedule staff training.

• Keep your extinguishers up to date, clearly marked and easily accessible. No boxes or furnishings in the way, nothing draped over the extinguisher, etc.

Every moment that you spend trying to fight a fire with a

fire extinguisher shortens the time that people have to evacuate the

building. Only use extinguishers on

fires that are smaller than a five-gallon wastebasket. If the fire is not completely out in a few seconds, forget about the extinguisher and concentrate on

making sure everyone exits the building safely.

In a past incident, an employee used five fire extinguishers before giving up and calling the Fire Department because the person was too embarrassed to call for help. By the time firefighters arrived, the fire had done considerable damage.




The best thing you can do in case of fire is to get safely out of the area so firefighters can enter easily and focus on the fire or other emergency. Help firefighters do their job by:

• Following the “RACE” model: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish: evacuate the area, sound the fire alarm, close doors to contain the fire, and use a fire extinguisher if appropriate.

• Staying on the line when you call 9-1-1 until the dispatcher tells you it’s ok to hang up. The dispatcher needs complete information to pass along to emergency responders.

• If you decide to use an extinguisher, have someone sound the fire alarm and call 9-1-1 while you’re trying to fight the fire.

• Concentrating on getting yourself and your co-workers out of the area as efficiently as possible.

• Helping those with disabilities or anyone who is injured.

• Moving immediately to the appointed evacuation area so everyone can be accounted for.

Documents

UC Davis Safety Services Monthly Safety Spotlight February 2011: Building a Fire-Smart Campus Safety Discussion Topics Fire prevention: Take it personally