Posted on behalf of Scottford Price
We know…we know none of you will read the Building Emergency Response Plan (BERP). We don’t even read it. It’s fifty-two pages which, honestly, is fifty-one pages too long. That’s why we will be providing the information through monthly blog posts! In this month’s post, we will go over the Brock Hall building’s evacuation procedures in the case of a fire.
“If you see something, say something.” If you see a fire or flames or sparks or smoke (where there shouldn’t be smoke) or a raging inferno, please pull the fire alarm! If one of your coworkers in the building has already done this step and you hear the fire alarm, you should now follow the instructions of your department’s Floor Wardens. Do you know who your department’s Floor Warden(s) are? If you don’t, please check with your team so you know who they are. They will be your guides in an emergency situation.
Animal instinct would suggest that if there is a fire, we move away from said fire. Follow your animal instinct! If you hear the fire alarm, leave the immediate area, alerting others around you while you make your way out of the building. If it is safe to do so, try to close (not lock) windows and doors on your way out. This will help to prevent oxygen from feeding the fire, provide containment, and slow the advancement of the fire.
Try not to panic! Urge people around you to stay calm and evacuate in a quick and orderly manner. WALK, don’t run! It would be very awkward to have to write an incident report because your fellow coworker was caught in a stampede and injured.
For those who work anywhere besides the first floor, make sure you use the stairs to evacuate and not the elevator. If any of your coworkers are unable to evacuate using the stairs, try to assist them if you can. If it’s not possible, you can direct them to an area of refuge or a safe location inside the building. In Brock Hall, this would be at the south stairwell of the East building. Your Floor Wardens and Building Emergency Director (Scott Price, ESA) will relay the location of these occupants to the Fire Department.
Once you are out of the building, proceed to the Predesignated Meeting Area and wait for further instructions from the Building Emergency Director. The meeting areas are: South – Statue of Democracy, West Cairn by East Mall, and North – Law Parking Lot (map in BERP).
Once you are out and safe, call 911. Maybe not everyone call 911, but check to make sure that someone has called. Whoever is making the call, state your name, provide our building address (1874 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, North America, V6T 1Z1), and the following additional information about the fire if you can:
– Where: floor number, room number
– When: approximate time fire started
– What: what caused the fire, is it spreading, are people injured or requiring urgent assistance
– Other Information: hazardous materials, potential access issues, etc.
Do not re-enter the building! It doesn’t matter if it’s cold out and you left your jacket inside. It doesn’t matter if you were in the middle of a call with a prospective student. It doesn’t matter if you were halfway through your tasty prime rib and quinoa salad lunch. Do not re-enter the building! Not until the Fire Department gives permission to do so.
If there are any questions or concerns regarding the evacuation procedures in the case of a building fire, feel free to ask Scott, as he wrote the Building Emergency Response Plan for Brock Hall.