Building evacuations & emergencies

Building Evacuations & Emergencies
Every Second Counts!

Objectives
At the end of this presentation, the participant
should be able to:
• Define an emergency and know how to report it.
• Describe the principles of effective emergency
evacuation or defending or protecting in place.
• Explain how to protect themselves in an emergency
situation.
• Understand the impact of emergency situations on
persons with disabilities and tactics for dealing with
such emergencies.
• Define principles of egress.
• Know what to expect during an emergency
evacuation/relocation.
(c)2011 FR Training Solutions 2

What is an Emergency?
An emergency is defined as a serious situation or occurrence that
happens unexpectedly and demands immediate action or a condition of
urgent need for action or assistance.
An "emergency " is an event that jeopardizes:
• The occupants of a building
• The building itself
• The contents of the building
Types of emergencies:
• Natural
• Human/Technology based
(c)2011 FR Training Solutions
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Natural Emergencies
Natural Emergencies are those that are caused by naturally
occurring events or by accidents.
Some examples are:
• Earthquakes
• Lightning
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Fires
• Floods
• Other severe storms involving snow, rain or high wind.
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Human Based Emergencies
Human based emergencies are those that are caused by an individual or
group of individuals, either accidentally or purposely
(these can sometimes accompany natural emergencies).
Some examples are:
• Hazardous material spills or chemical accidents (vapor or liquid)
• Transportation accidents (airplane, railroad car, automobile/truck)
• Explosions (compressed gas, containerized liquid or man-made)
• Prolonged utility outages (gas, electricity, cooling system, water)
• Biological warfare
• Terrorist action
• Bomb threats
• Intruder/Hostage Situations
• Fires (chemical, natural gas, electrical or ordinary structural)
• Shootings or other workplace violence incidents.
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Quiz
(c)2011 FR Training
Solutions
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Quiz title
Quiz subtitle

Emergency Reporting
This lesson will discuss:
• Emergency Notification
• Emergency Planning
• Emergency Alarms
Emergency Notification
• Time is critical.
• Report emergencies rapidly.
• Know the procedures for your building.
• Use the best available means of communication.
What methods are used to alert building occupants in an emergency?
Time is critical in these types of situations. You should report an
emergency as soon as possible.
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Emergency Planning
An emergency plan is a set of documented actions designed to reduce the impact of
emergencies on the building and its occupants.
The emergency plan deals with:
• Detection
• Prevention
• Notification of occupants/emergency responders
• Evacuation/relocation measures
• Control
• Recovery
There are vital questions that must be addressed regarding the emergency plan
for your place of work. These are:
Are there specific instructions for your work area?
What is the emergency plan for your building?
How often do you review these instructions and plans, since they may change periodically?
If you do not know the answer to all of these questions, STOP! Get the answers
NOW! A few minutes spent in preparation could mean the difference between
injury and well-being or even life and death.
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Emergency Alarms
What do alarms mean?
Alarms are used to alert building occupants of most types of emergencies.
Alarms have proven to be effective in saving many lives.
What actions are you expected to take when an alarm is sounded?
In the event of an emergency and an alarm is sounded, you are expected to follow the
emergency plan defined by your building manager. The building's emergency plan should
describe evacuation/relocation training to be provided and copies of written information
furnished to you.
Do you have yours or know where to find it? Emergency evacuation information
should be readily available to all building occupants.
Do you know where this information is located? Who issues voice
instructions?
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Quiz
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Quiz title
Quiz subtitle

Evacuations
Because of differences in design, construction, fire-resistant qualities, height, floor
layout, usage and occupancy, each building presents unique problems in
emergency evacuations. For this reason, the information in this course should be
considered a guide to effective evacuation rather than a specific program standard
for any one particular building or organization.
Successful and efficient evacuation depends on complete planning
organization and supervision. Here are some basic elements required
for successful evacuation:
• Building evacuation organization - Make sure you know the evacuation plan;
• Evacuation policy and plans - Know your company's policies and procedures;
• Detection and reporting of an emergency - Know when and how to detect
and report emergencies. Know the signs;
• Coordination of the evacuation process - Follow instructions set forth by the
building manager;
• Communication during an evacuation - Listen and be aware, DON'T PANIC.
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Evacuation Procedures
What can I expect during an evacuation?
In the event of an emergency, the building fire alarm system will activate and the
building manager will order evacuation of a given floor or several floors of the building.
Floors to be evacuated
Generally, evacuation will be from the floor on which the emergency has occurred to a
safe point below the critical area. The floors immediately above and below the
emergency will also typically be evacuated. The type of the building will be an important
factor when executing the emergency plan and evacuating a particular floor.
Evacuation should be accomplished by way of stairwells. If smoke or fire has penetrated
a stairwell, alternate stairwells should be used. Other types of emergencies may have
different standards for evacuation routes, and these may be specific to each individual
building. In the event of "bomb-threat " emergencies, the evacuation order will be
controlled by joint decision of the police and fire department in consultation with
building management. In the event of a bomb threat elevators often can be used.
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Evacuation Control
The direction for evacuation of each employee in a building has been planned in advance
based upon many factors including the number of persons on each floor, the number of
emergency stairwells available, and the number of floors directly affected by the
emergency.
BE CERTAIN YOU KNOW WHICH DIRECTION TO EVACUATE FROM YOUR
AREA IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY!
Priority will be given to those floors directly involved and the floors immediately adjacent
to the emergency.
The evacuation plan will have determined the safest and most efficient means of
evacuation, depending on the nature of the emergency and scope of damage. However,
occupants should always keep track of and take the nearest available stair.
On the emergency-involved floor, people should evacuate to the nearest available exit
that can be reached safely.
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Evacuation Plan
As soon as the building is occupied, a written plan of emergency
procedures should be agreed upon by building management and
responsible representatives of each building tenant.
The emergency evacuation plan should include:
• An outline of an emergency evacuation organization plan and
agreed-upon priorities, including responsibilities and authorities.
• Reporting procedures for emergencies based on available
detection and emergency warning systems.
• A communication system may be provided to assist in
communications between building management and fire
department personnel during evacuation emergencies.
• Building management and tenants should cooperate in an
education and training program. Emergency procedure
information should be prominently posted in corridors.
• An evacuation drill program should be established that includes
periodic practice by building occupants. The frequency of these
drills will depend upon the employee turnover in the area. The
schedule should be maintained and documented.
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Evacuation Policy & Plans
A good evacuation policy and plan should include the following:
• Evacuation routes - Drawings, diagrams, evacuation routes,
and similar information should be included in the building's
emergency evacuation plans. Floor numbering, stairway
identification, direction of travel to exits, location of re-entry floors
and access to roof should be indicated in stairwells.
• Information to tenants - The building's emergency evacuation
plan should describe the evacuation training that will be provided
and provide copies of written information for occupants.
• Evacuation drills - The building's emergency evacuation plan
should include a schedule of programmed evacuation drills.
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Occupant Protection
Occupant Protection
Evacuation - To withdraw from a place in an organized way, especially for
protection. Evacuation can be horizontal or vertical.
Relocation - To move to a new location, temporary in nature, used in large protected
facilities.
Protect in Place - Taking measures to protect oneself while waiting for rescue.
Areas of Refuge - Temporary staging area that provides relative safety to a
building's occupants:
• While potential emergencies are assessed
• While decisions are made
• While mitigating activities are carried out.
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Protecting Occupants
What can be done to protect occupants in an emergency?
1. Evacuate
• Total – remove all occupants of the building to an area of safety.
• Relocation to safe area within the building, that is not and will not
be affected by the emergency
2. Shelter in-place
• If it would be unsafe to move the occupants of a particular building or
area of a building, then efforts will need to be made to keep them safe
from harm in their current location
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End of Part 1
You have finished Part 1 of the Building
Evacuation and Emergencies course.
Please close the viewer to continue to Part 2.
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Occupants With Special Needs
Evacuating a disabled or injured person yourself should be a last resort. Consider
the options and the risks of injuring yourself and others in such an evacuation
attempt. Do not make an emergency situation worse.
Evacuation can be difficult and uncomfortable for both the rescuers and people
being assisted, but planning and proper equipment can greatly aid the process.
Some people have conditions that can be aggravated or triggered if they are
moved incorrectly. Remember that environmental conditions (smoke, debris, loss
of electricity) will complicate evacuation efforts.
Prepare occupants in your building ahead of time for emergency evacuations.
Know your building occupants. Hold evacuation drills in which occupants
participate and evaluate drills to identify areas that need improvement. Plans
must cover regular working hours, after hours and weekends.
All building occupants need to take responsibility for preparing for emergencies.
People with disabilities should consider what they would do and whether they
need to take additional steps to prepare.
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Moving Persons With Disabilities
• ALWAYS remove disabled people from their wheelchairs before lifting them,
e.g., at a stairwell. This is a standard practice to ensure the safety of disabled
people and volunteers. Wheelchairs can be reclaimed later, if possible.
• Proper lifting techniques (bending the knees, keeping the back straight,
holding the person close before lifting and using leg muscles to lift) should be
used to avoid injury to rescuers' backs. Be careful on stairs and rest at landings,
if necessary.
• Certain lifts may need to be modified for emergency use, depending on the
disabilities of persons involved.
• Occupants with disabilities should use an evacuation chair.
• Ask permission of the evacuee if an evacuation chair or similar device is being
considered as an aid in an evacuation. When using such devices, make sure the
person is secured properly. Only use these aids if trained to do so.
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Protecting Yourself
Do you know how to react if you are faced with an emergency?
Could you protect yourself and others around you in an extraordinary event?
When all else fails, you are ultimately responsible for your own safety!!
In an emergency, think RED: REACT  EVALUTE  DECIDE
If you stay in the building, some protective or defensive actions you can take include:
• Alert fire department of your location.
• Seal openings.
• Be prepared to wait.
• Constantly reevaluate your situation until the danger has passed or you are out of the building.
• Make sure you have enough time to take the planned action.
Your Responsibility:
• Keep exits clear.
• No storage or other use within corridors leading to exits.
• Do not compromise fire protection and alarm systems.
• Promptly report problems with exits or systems to building management.
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Notifications
Occupants should be invited to volunteer ahead of time to assist
disabled people in an emergency. If volunteers are not available,
designate someone to assist who is willing to accept the
responsibility.
Always ASK disabled people how you can help BEFORE
attempting any rescue technique or giving assistance. Ask how
they can best be assisted or moved and if there are any special
considerations or items that need to come with them.
Before attempting an evacuation, volunteers and the people
being assisted should discuss how any lifting will be done and
where they are going.
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React
Take indications of emergencies seriously:
• Building alarms
• Smell of smoke
• Appearance of flames
• Unusual noises
• Suspicious activity or behavior of individuals in your work area
• The arrival of emergency vehicles
• Warnings from other occupants
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Evaluate
Judge the level of threat to your safety:
• Evidence of a threat to your safety, such as smoke or fire
• Conditions in your immediate area
• Your physical ability to evacuate or relocate
• The needs and abilities of others with you
• Additional information or cues you receive
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Decide
Take the appropriate action:
• Evacuate the building
• Relocate to a safe area
• Remain in place
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Emergency Exits
Two Main Principles
• Ensure that there are at least two ways out.
• Ensure that exits are within the permitted travel distance.
Exit paths should be:
• Well marked
• Well lighted
• Unobstructed
• Usable at all times
• Evacuation training and drills should be provided by building management to familiarize you with the closest
exits and the safest ways to access them.
Accessible Exits:
• Elevators - DO NOT use elevators in emergencies unless directed by the fire department.
• Stairwell - This is the safest route of exit.
How long will it take?
• Complete evacuation may require a significant amount of time.
• Evacuation from large buildings can be physically exhausting.
• Evacuation could slow emergency responders who may need the stairs to reach the problem.
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Sheltering In Place
If you are unable to evacuate or relocate or if your emergency plan dictates remaining in your
area, you must follow certain guidelines to protect your safety and that of others, including
rescue or other emergency personnel. These procedures may also assist emergency personnel
attempting to assist you and other co-workers or building occupants.
Keep the Doors Closed
Seal cracks and vents, if necessary, to prevent the entry of smoke into the area. If you are
trapped in a room, open the windows from the top to let out the heat and smoke and from the
bottom to let in fresh air. If the window only opens from the bottom, open the window and
stay on the floor, away from the window to allow the smoke to exit the room more rapidly. If
the windows are not operable, do not break them unless as a last resort. You may make
matters worse.
Signal for help
Hang an object out of the window (tablecloth, jacket, etc.) to attract attention. Use your cell
phone or if there is a phone in the room, call the fire department and report that you are
trapped.
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(c)2011 FR Training
Solutions
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Quiz title
Quiz subtitle

Summary
In the event of an emergency every second counts. The safe orderly and prompt evacuation or relocation of
building occupants depends on good planning and training. Following the guidelines set forth by the Emergency
Evacuation Plan can save lives.
In emergency situations, some key things to remember are:
• Remain calm and do not panic.
• Review your evacuation plan.
• Think R.E.D. (React, Evaluate and Decide).
Now that you have learned about emergencies and building evacuation, you should:
• Know what emergencies may affect your workplace and how to report them.
• Know the principles of effective evacuation/relocation.
• Understand how to protect yourself in an emergency situation.
• Understand how to help people with disabilities and how to assist in evacuation or relocation.
• Understand principles of egress and how they apply to you in your work setting.
• Know what to expect and how to respond during an emergency evacuation requiring relocation or
remaining in place.
You have now finished Part 2 of the Building Evacuation and Emergencies Course. Please
close the viewer and continue on to the Final Exam to complete the course.
Good luck!
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