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Evacuation Procedure


When evacuation is necessary as a result of the sounding of the Building Fire Alarm System or the order for Building evacuation has been given by the Fire Department, Property Manager or his representatives, the following steps should be taken:

  1. Tenants should immediately begin an orderly evacuation via the stairwells, remembering at all times to keep right (single file) in the stairwells. Do not use the elevators.
  2. The Fire Warden or Deputy should direct the evacuation effort on his/her respective floor.
  3. The Fire Warden or Deputy should inform all personnel in their area as to when and where to evacuate.
  4. The Fire Warden or Deputy should remain behind to make sure all personnel have left their assigned area.
  5. IMPORTANT - Identify and give initial priority to the movement or evacuation of nervous, emotional, ill, or disabled personnel. The Fire Warden should be constantly aware of injured or disabled personnel that occupy or visit their area. It is the Fire Warden's responsibility to assign appropriate personnel to assist the disabled or ill during the procedure.
  6. Assign your assistants:
    • in two-person teams to assist the disabled or ill.
    • to take flashlights or other portable lights available in case of an electrical power failure.
    • to properly secure and safeguard special company records, i.e., documents, original contracts, negotiable instruments, etc., and to lock the appropriate files, vaults, closets, desks, etc. This should be directed by individual company policy.
    • to unplug appropriate electrical equipment and machines (hot plates, coffee makers, etc.) if accessible.
    • to check for any remaining employees and visitors, TURN OFF lights, and close but do not lock office doors.
    • to coordinate the evacuation, announce the rendezvous point. Always evacuate down unless instructed by the Fire Safety Director to do otherwise.
    • to evacuate via the stairwell, suggest to persons wearing high-heeled shoes to remove them so they will have less difficulty walking. Remind everyone to keep to the right on the stairwells.
    • to tell employees to take their essential personal possessions with them because they will not be allowed to re-enter during the emergency.
    • to remind everyone to be quiet during the evacuation so they will be able to hear and understand all emergency instructions.
    • to assure your employees and visitors that they have nothing to fear because plans have been established and tested, and personnel trained to handle this specific type of emergency.
    • to assemble and account for all your personnel when evacuation is complete. Note the:
      1. total number of employees moved or evacuated.
      2. total number of visitors moved or evacuated.
      3. total number of personnel missing.
      4. names of missing persons.
        Use the above as a guide. Obviously, it will not always be possible to account for all individuals.
    • to note that elevators will be used for evacuation only by orders from the Fire Department or Fire Safety Director.
  7. IMPORTANT - If you determine that your employees and visitors are in imminent danger, and you cannot contact the Property Management Office in a reasonable length of time, you may determine it prudent to exercise independent judgment and move or evacuate your personnel without being given specific directions to do so.
  8. For future reference by the Property Management Office, write a brief report covering your actions in response to the emergency, including any special problems or incidents that you encountered, and submit it as soon as possible to the Property Management Office, retaining a copy for yourself.

REMEMBER: Tenant Contacts, Fire Wardens, and Deputy Fire Wardens must continually demonstrate during an emergency, by what they say and do, that they are capable of leading their employees and visitors to safety.

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