FIRE: 911
AMBULANCE: 911

Anyone discovering heat, smoke, or fire will immediately sound an alarm by the following methods:

1. Manual pull station in hallways
2. Fire Department 911
3. Nearest street alarm box: Purchase Street

Person pulling street fire alarm box will remain at the box to direct fire apparatus to the fire.
"Always Notify the Fire Department"

INTRODUCTION

Foreword

This emergency evacuation manual establishes procedures to be used in emergency situations for UMASS DARTMOUTH, COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS, STAR STORE, 715 PURCHASE STREET, NEW BEDFORD, MA.

The emergency procedures outlined in this manual should be utilized during fires, floods and other emergencies. The manual deals most exclusively with fire. However, the same procedures and responsibilities would apply to other emergencies, with appropriate variations.

The contents of this manual are based upon requirements and obligations of the New Bedford Fire Prevention Code.

Fire Drills

A Fire Drill will be conducted once each year. This drill shall be arranged by the Chief of the Fire Department in coordination with the administration of UMass Dartmouth, College of Visual and Performing Arts and shall be conducted under their joint supervision and direction.

Particular care should be given to handicapped persons. If they cannot be evacuated from the building, they should be moved to a safe area (enclosed stairway, exit way as remote from the fire as possible). Do not leave a handicapped or immobile person alone. Notify immediately, the first arriving fire department personnel if this situation exists.

COMMUNICATIONS

Fire Alarm System

The building fire alarm system and unit heat detector are connected directly to a central dispatch and upon activation, will transmit the alarm to the Fire Department.

Reporting Emergencies

When reporting the incident by telephone (911), the following information shall be given:

1. Name of person making call
2. Location of emergency
• Building name and address
• Floor
3. People injured if any
4. Type of emergency - fire, flood, etc.
5. Remain on the phone until message is confirmed

In the event of any emergency, take the following steps after the fire department has been notified:

1. Call the security desk's direct telephone extension #8905 (508-999-8905).
2. Remain calm and follow the instructions of the Security officer and/or the administration, if possible.
3. If the building must be evacuated, use the designated evacuation route posted on each floor.
4. Evacuate the building whenever alarm sounds, even if there is no fire or smoke evident.
5. If the building must be evacuated for emergencies other than fire, notification may be made over the building's audio alert system.

OBSTRUCTION TO MEANS OF EGRESS

Exits

All exits and means of egress in the building shall be kept clean and clear of obstructions at all times; and every means of egress in the building shall be properly maintained.

Aisles

All aisles and other means of egress in the building shall be kept free from any object that might delay or obstruct the egress of persons from the building. The building Management is to be notified of any violation of the above regulations or of any possible unsafe condition that might affect the safety of building occupants.

SMOKING REGULATIONS

Smoking Prohibited Areas

Smoking is prohibited in ALL areas of the building so as to comply with City and State regulations.

No person shall smoke, carry or have any lighted match, pipe, cigarette or cigar in any elevator, or in any other areas of the building.

FIRE PREVENTION

Fire Prevention Practices

• Never use immersion type heating devices.
• Avoiding electrical overloading. Avoid octopus plugs. Do not plug high voltage items into electrical outlets without first checking with building Management.
• Store waste paper at least six to eight feet away from any operating electrical appliance or machine.
• Use fireproof containers to dispose of oily rags, and/or other related, waste-soaked materials.
• If any electrical appliance is emitting smoke, immediately remove the electrical plug from the wall outlet and notify the Fire Department and Security officer.

Fire Safety Practices

• In case of fire, activate the fire alarm and call 911 for the Fire Department before attempting to extinguish fire.
• Never use elevators for evacuation of the building.
• When evacuating your area, do so in an orderly manner -- don't panic, walk, do not run.
• Help handicapped students and faculty leave the building, if possible.
• Familiarize yourself with the location of the fire extinguishers and the instructions how to operate them, which are printed on all fire extinguishers.
• Cooperate with and follow the directions of Management, Security, or Fire Department officials.
• During building evacuation proceed in an orderly manner to the designated means of egress. When out of the building at ground level, proceed to the opposite side of the street or as directed by Fire Department Officials.
• Stay in single file in the stairways, as Fire Department personnel may be coming up the same stairway.

BUILDING EVACUATION PROCEDURES

Emergency Evacuation and Fire Drill Rules

In the event of a fire or any other emergency that would warrant the complete evacuation of this building, all students and faculty of the building must participate with no exceptions.

During a building evacuation or fire drill in this building, each student and faculty is responsible for any valuables, and the locking of all doors to and from their room/office, as soon as the last person has left the area, if possible.

Before opening any door of your room/office, which leads to the main hallway, feel the door to see if it is hot. If the door is not hot, open it slowly; and if conditions allow, proceed to the assigned stairway and follow the evacuation plan. If the smoke is too heavy, do not enter the stairway, close the door, place any cloth item along the bottom edge of the door, open your windows for fresh air, hang any long cloth item available out the window to let the fire department know you are still in the room/office. If the door to your room/office is hot, do not open it. Follow the same procedure as outlined above. If, for any reason you must remain in your room/office during any fire or other emergencies, remain calm and wait for the fire department to assist you.

Hats, coats or other wearing apparel must be disregarded in the event of an actual fire. Time is very important and the evacuation of each room/office must be completed as soon as possible.

Fire Drill Procedures

During a fire drill in this building, each student and faculty member is responsible for any valuables and the locking of all doors to and from their room/office as soon as the last person has left the area. Turn off any appliances, gas fired equipment, or electrical equipment if it is in use at the time of any emergency, if possible.

Be sure to take your room/office key with you.

EXTINGUISHMENT OF INCIPIENT FIRES

Portable Fire Extinguishers

There are fire extinguishers located on every floor of the building. Different types of extinguishers are used to control different kinds of fires. For instance, water is a conductor of electricity and should never be used on any electrical fires. However, water is very effective in controlling trash fires. Fires have been classified as A, B, C depending on their origin. Each extinguisher is marked according to the class of fire it will control.

For class A Fires: wood, rags, paper, etc.
                     Use: pressurized water extinguisher

For Class B Fires: oil, grease, paint or other flammable liquids
                     Use: dry chemical or carbon dioxide extinguisher

For Class C Fires: live electrical fires in motors, electrical wiring and electrical appliances
                     Use: dry chemical or carbon dioxide extinguishers.

The proper way to extinguish all fires that occur in a frying pan, cooking pot, deep fat fryer or broiling pan is to put a cover over the container involved, use lids if available, otherwise, use any cover that may be handy, a cutting board or a small rug from the floor.

Do not throw water into or on any container that is on fire on the stove or in the oven. This will cause the fire to spread and flare up.

Do not attempt to use any portable fire extinguishers if you are not familiar with them.

All extinguished fires must be reported to the Fire Department for final investigation.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Fire Emergency

In the event of a fire emergency, follow the instructions as related in the proceeding pages of this manual.

Disruption of Electric Service

• Do not use elevators to exit the building. Anyone trapped in a disabled elevator is requested to remain calm, as his or her rescue will be affected as soon as possible.
• Special attention should be given to the elderly and handicapped.
• If complete evacuation or any partial evacuation is required, do not remain in the lobby. Proceed out doors and away from the building and avoid interfering with Fire Department operations.
• In all cases, where the building is completely evacuated, the management will make every effort to get the students and faculty back into their rooms/offices as soon as possible.