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Fire and emergency evacuation practices

28 Sep 2009

Practice makes perfect!

fire exit sign

As our new students begin to find their way around complex buildings they also need to know how to get out in a hurry, so it is time for our annual round of practice evacuations. If everyone responds promptly, these only take 10-15 minutes of your time. It’s also your opportunity to check that you and others around you can hear the alarm, know what it sounds like, and where your nearest exit is – you never know when your life might depend upon it.

  • Respond promptly to any alarm. If you’re not familiar with the building, read the instructions in the fire action notices – NOW, not later! 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).

Most of you will see that the Directorate of Estates has put up new fire action notice signs in the majority of buildings (work is continuing in some). These give clear information about where your assembly point is.

You can check the assembly points for your building, or buildings you are likely to visit, at:

  • Fire assembly points (please note that the Directorate of Estates is still refining a few details and may make minor changes to these)

Fire safety is the main focus of the latest issue of "Safety Matters", at: