Engineering > Fire & Life-Safety > Emergency Evacuations > Procedures

If You Hear a Fire Alarm

1. Immediately evacuate the building via the shortest and safest route.  Do not use elevators.
2. If you notice smoke, use the alternative escape route.
3. Test doors with the back of your hand before opening them. If the door is warm or if you notice smoke, use an alternative escape route.  Check paths for safety before proceeding and close doors behind you.
4. Crawl low if you have to go through smoke.
5. Go to a safe area or to a pre-assigned exterior area for your building.
6. If you suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact the emergency personnel outside the building.
7. If you are trapped during a fire emergency, close all doors between you and the fire.  Stuff cracks around the doors to keep out smoke.  Wait at a safe window and signal/call for help.  If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department or 9-1-1 and tell them exactly where you are.
8. Stop, Drop and Roll if you clothing catches fire.

If You Discover A Fire

1. Leave the fire area and close the door to the area.
2. Sound the fire alarm.
3. Immediately evacuate the building via the shortest and safest route.  (Proper use of fire extinguishers within extinguisher limits and by trained individuals is optional but should not be attempted until building alarm is actuated and people are evacuated.
4. Do not use elevators.  A fire can disrupt the operation of elevators and trap occupants inside.
5. If you notice smoke, use the alternate escape route.
6. Test doors with the back of your hand before opening them. If the door is warm or if you notice smoke, use an alternative escape route.  Check paths for safety before proceeding and close doors behind you.
7. Crawl low if you have to go through smoke.
8. Go to a safe area or to a pre-assigned exterior area for your building.
9. From the nearest phone in a safe area, call 911.
10. Await emergency response personnel at safe location and direct them to the scene.
11. If you suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact the emergency personnel outside the building.
12. If you are trapped during a fire emergency, close all doors between you and the fire and stuff cracks around the doors to keep out smoke.  Wait at a safe window and signal/call for help.  If there is a phone in the room, call the 9-1-1 and tell them exactly where you are.
13. Stop, Drop and Roll if your clothing catches fire.

Once You Have Evacuated

1. From the nearest phone in the safe area, call 9-1-1.
2. If you suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact firefighters on scene or at the fire engine, police officers, or ambulance personnel.
3. Await emergency response personnel at a safe location and direct them to the scene. Report the fire to the hall office or the nearest available resident advisor. Do not re-enter the building until instructed to do so by the fire department.
4. Follow directions of fire and police personnel and the housing staff.
5. Report to the person who is taking roll.
6. Never re-enter the building to save your personal belongings.
7. Stay calm.

For additional information please refer to the Fire Safety Guidelines section on Emergency Evacuation/Response.