Evacuation advice.

06 Oct 2008

Tips for anyone taking part in a practice evacuation.

As the new academic year begins, thousands of students will be coming to campus – trying to find their way around complex and unfamiliar buildings. Now is a good time therefore, to think about how you might get staff and students out of buildings in a hurry – in the event of a fire, for example.

September and October see the University’s annual round of practice evacuations taking place. These sessions should only take about 15 minutes of your time, but it's vital that they take place – you never know when your life may depend on a quick and efficient evacuation.

Melanie Taylor, the University’s Safety Advisor offers the following tips for anyone taking part in a practice evacuation:

• Respond promptly to any alarm. If you’re not familiar with the building, read the instructions on the fire action notices - these are on all main corridors and exit routes.
• If in doubt, follow the white on green pictogram exit signs, and use the nearest exit, not your usual or favourite one.
• If you have a class of students - set a good example. Stop teaching immediately, check they all know what to do, follow the last student out, and close the door behind you.
• Check that colleagues respond and are not in any difficulty or unsure about what to do. If someone is struggling (e.g. to get down stairs), offer assistance. If you can’t help, inform Security or an evacuation marshal immediately you get out of the building. Give details – who, where, nature of the difficulty.
• If you notice any obstructions or problems which affect the evacuation, let your evacuation marshal or safety advisor know, or report it to the Estates Helpdesk (x52424).