Fire/building evacuation

Sounding of the fire alarm means you must evacuate the building immediately.

Even if the alarm stops after a short while, evacuation must continue until emergency response personnel give an all-clear signal.

As you evacuate the building, move to the designated assembly areas as directed by floor wardens.  Please do not stop and gather immediately outside the building exits as this causes congestion as masses of students and employees attempt to evacuate behind you.

Review the evacuation plans and designated assembly areas for your campus below.

REMEMBER:

  • Follow shutdown procedures in labs, shops and kitchen areas
  • Quickly gather your personal belongings
  • Leave calmly using routes designated on emergency evacuation maps, closing doors behind you
  • Use the stairs (persons with mobility impairment(s), see below)
  • Do not use elevators (persons with mobility impairment(s), see below)
  • Follow the instructions of the floor warden to the nearest stairwell/exit and exit out of the building to the assembly areas
  • If you are in your car during a fire alarm, turn engine off, leave car and exit the area
  • In smoke, stay close to the floor; breathe shallowly through nose, using a shirt as a filter
  • Do not exit onto balconies;  assemble in groups at street level, in designated assembly areas, away from the building and the danger of shattering glass.
  • Stay with your group and inform others if you decide to leave the site
  • Report missing persons to security or your floor warden
  • Do not re-enter the building for any reason until the ALL CLEAR signal is given by emergency response personnel

EVACUATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:

Every member of the Douglas College community is encouraged to assist in the safe evacuation of persons with disabilities.

All students, employees and visitors should know where the Areas of Refuge are and at least two routes to exit the building in the event of an emergency evacuation.  

MOBILITY IMPAIRMENT(S):

  • From the ground floor with an emergency exit to the outside, exit via the nearest exit and proceed to the assembly area
  • If an individual is unable to exit, assist them to an area of refuge i.e. a marked stairwell
  • Notify the floor warden, security and emergency response personnel about persons remaining in the building and their locations
  • Emergency personnel will decide when it is safe and evacuate them, as necessary

HEARING IMPAIRMENT(S):

  • Get the attention of the person who may be deaf, or hard of hearing, by touching their shoulder or arm
  • When you have eye contact state the problem – use your phone to text a brief statement if the person, if needed
  • Point to the flashing strobe above the fire alarm, which indicates the alarm is sounding
  • Gestures and pointing are helpful
  • Provide visual instructions to the safest route by pointing toward the exit signs

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT(S):

  • Offer to lead the individual out of the building
  • Ask if they would like to hold onto your arm as you exit
  • Provide verbal instructions to assist in leaving the building safely
  • Provide further clarity e.g.;  elevators are not to be used
  • Continue to hold the individual's attention with conversation and provide updates noting time/distance to the closest exit
  • If the individual chooses to remain in an area of refuge i.e. a marked stairwell, please provide the information to the floor warden, or security and emergency response personnel stating their exact location as marked in the stairwell

Douglas College has a comprehensive sprinkler system throughout the buildings. There are also many fire hose cabinets and fire extinguishers at key locations. Take time to familiarize yourself with these locations.

If you discover a fire:

  • Warn others to evacuate the room or area immediately
  • Activate the red alarm pull station (located at all exits from the building)
  • Close any doors behind you
  • The fire department will be notified automatically
  • Call security at 2400 or your floor warden of the exact location and nature of the fire

Things to remember:

  • Follow instructions from emergency personnel (wearing orange vests).
  • Check doors for heat before opening. If you need to open a closed door and you suspect that a fire condition may be present, feel the door with the back of your hand first to see if it is hot. If it is hot to the touch, do not open that door.
  • Proceed down the nearest safe stairwell and out to the assembly area.
  • Do not run.
  • If you encounter heavy smoke, keep low (crawl, if physically able), use the wall to guide you to the nearest exit.

Be prepared! Employees should be familiar with the location of fire extinguishers in their immediate work area and should read the operating instructions before an emergency situation occurs. Enroll in a fire extinguisher training session offered by your health and safety committee.