Department of University Safety & Assurances www.safety.uwm.edu

Department of University Safety & Assurances www.safety.uwm.edu Fire Safety

Topics of Discussion • Fire Alarm Systems and Procedures • Fire Preparedness • Definitions: Fire Triangle, Flashpoint, Flammable and Combustible • Classes of Fires • Fire Extinguishers: Types and Use • Fire Hazards • Fire Inspections • What’s Wrong In This Picture?

Fire Alarms • All university buildings are equipped with fire alarms that sound an audible tone. • Some buildings have strobe flashers for the hearing impaired. • Building fire alarms are tested on a regular schedule

UWM Fire Alarm Procedures • Fire alarm means: "EVACUATE!” • Alert persons in area- Direct away from danger • Close doors to confine • Activate the fire alarm • Evacuate through nearest safe exit • Do notuse elevators • Move away from building • Call UNIVERSITY POLICE from safe location • Dial 9-911 • Do not re-enter until Fire Department or University Police announce "All Clear"

Instructions for Anyone Confined by Smoke or Fire If you notice an increase in room temperature or a strong smell of smoke in your area: • CAREFULLY FEEL THE DOOR USING THE BACK OF YOUR HAND. If the door is hot, do not attempt to open it. If you feel no heat, then; • PARTIALLY OPEN THE DOOR WHILE STANDING BEHIND IT FOR PROTECTION. Survey the existing conditions before exiting, if your passage is blocked, then; • Close the door and use any available material (towels, shirt, blouse, etc.) to seal threshold openings. If a water source is available, soak materials before packing them into place. If you are in an older building equipped with transoms above the doors, make certain that these are closed. • Use the room phone to contact University Police (x9911) to let them know your exact location. If no telephone is available, signal your location by waving a cloth or similar material from the window.

Instructions for Anyone Confined by Smoke or Fire (continued) 5. ONLY IF SMOKE BEGINS TO ENTER YOUR AREA, should you partially open a window and stay near it, keeping low and breathing the fresher air from outside. 6. If you are in a building that does not have windows that can be opened and smoke begins to enter, it may become necessary to break a window to obtain needed oxygen. This must be done only as a last resort and with extreme care, by keeping out of the direct path formed between the window to be broken and the doorway or opening through which smoke is entering. The glass pane must be broken low, to provide easy access to outside air. This can be done by throwing a heavy object at the lower pane, while standing out of the direct path formed between the window and doorway or opening.

Emergency Evacuation Floorplans • Emergency Evacuation Floorplans are posted in all of the campus buildings. • It is important that you familiarize yourself with the evacuation plans for the building in which you work and those buildings you frequent.

Reporting Fire • Dial9-911from campus phoneor 229-9911from cell phone or use one of the Emergency Safe phones to contact University Police • Remain calm • Let police ask the questions • Give thorough explanations • Let the police hang up first • If calling from Great Lakes Water Institute, only dial 911.

Emergency Safe Phones • Outdoor emergency phones boxes are located across campus • To use, open door to box and hold red button until call is answered. (This activates the 911 system, which indicates phone's location at campus police station.) Release button and convey information to police dispatcher.

Requesting Emergency Assistance from a Cell Phone • Dial 229-9911 • You will be contacting the University Police who will summon other emergency responders as needed • Provide specific location and nature of emergency

Your Personal Safety Plan • Participate in fire drills. Fire drills are conducted to familiarize you with the sound of building's fire alarm, emergency exits not normally used, and procedures for calling UWM Police • Identify Emergency Exits. • All designated exits are clearly marked..

Fire Drills • Fire drills ensure the efficient and safe use of the exit facilities available in the case of an emergency. • Proper drills ensure orderly exit under control and prevent the panic that has been responsible for much of the loss of life in major fire disasters

Definitions: Fire Triangle • To burn a fire needs fuel, an ignition source (like a spark) and oxygen. • Remove any of these and the fire will go out

Definition: Flashpoint • Flashpoint is the temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapor to ignite if an ignition source is present. • Typically the lower the flash point, the greater the fire hazard. Any substance with a flashpoint near or below room temperature should be handled as posing a real fire hazard.

Definitions: Flammable and Combustible • Combustible liquids have flashpoints above 100 degrees F. • Flammable liquids have flashpoints below 100 degrees F.

Classes of Fires Ordinary Combustibles: paper, cloth, upholstery, trash, most plastic, wood... Flammable liquids, gases and greases; kerosene, oil, paint, cleaning fluids, cooking oil... Energized electrical components: appliances, wiring... Combustible metals: potassium, magnesium...

Do Not Attempt to Fight a Fire Unless… • You have had recent hands-on training with fire extinguishers & fire is only in incipient stage • You have the correct extinguisher for the type of fire • You are absolutely sure you can put the fire out, AND • You will not endanger yourself or others by not leaving

“PASS” Method PPull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism AAim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire SSqueeze the lever slowly and evenly SSweep the nozzle from side to side. (Other types require slightly different techniques.)

Fire Extinguisher Training • Take fire extinguisher training sponsored by University Safety & Assurances • Never attempt to fight fire unless you have complete confidence you can put it out To register for Fire Extinguisher training, contact US&A: safety-office@uwm.edu

Fire Hazards: Electrical Abuse • Electrical "octopuses" can overload circuits and result in fire. • Never leave unattended: hotplates, coffee makers, irons, space heaters, etc. • Keep heaters away from curtains and furniture.

Fire Hazards: Electrical Abuse • Use only 15 amp fused power strips. • Replace damaged wires and outlets immediately • Match appliance power requirements to circuit power. • Size of extension cord should match appliance power cord to prevent overheating.

Fire Hazards: Electrical Abuse • Extension cords are not intended for "permanent" installations -- appliances shall be connected to permanently wired receptacles. • Storage of combustibles in mechanical/electrical service closets is prohibited.

Fire Doors • Neverprop open fire doors with wedges or other objects. • The purpose of these doors is to prevent smoke and heat from traveling up stairwells and along corridors.

Fire Inspections • Milwaukee Fire Department conducts annual inspections of each building on the UWM campus, making note of fire code violations

Fire Hazards • Blocked electrical panels are a frequent violation • There should be a 3’ clearance around all electrical panels

Monthly Inspections • Facility Services inspects fire extinguishers on a monthly basis • If you come across an extinguisher that has not been checked recently, please notify the custodial supervisor in your building or Facility Services

Blocked Fire Doors • Storage is not permitted in hallways and in front of fire doors

Storage in Stairwells • Storage in stairwells and on stairwell landings is prohibited.

Egress Issues • Any obstruction, material or trash that could hamper easy exits from aisles, hallways and stairwells should be immediately removed

Fire Inspections Use the Fire Inspection Checklist to verify your area is safe and will pass the annual Milwaukee Fire Department inspection: http://www4.uwm.edu/usa/safety/general_safety/fire/checklist.cfm

Department of University Safety & Assurances www.safety.uwm.edu