Fire /Smoke Emergency (Code Red)

Back to emergency procedures

These guidelines are intended to provide information for staff, students and contractors in the event of a Fire/Smoke emergency. 
It should be noted that an emergency may require partial or total evacuation of the building.
It is recognised that a Fire/Smoke Emergency is possible.  The University has developed policies and guidelines to assist manage potential risks and minimise the impact.

• Risk Management (AS/NZS 4360)
• Procedures (Staff, Students, Contractors, occupants)
• Who is in control of the emergency?
• Evacuation
• Extinguishing the Fire
• Training
• Evacuation Exercises

Risk Management (AS/NZS 4360)

Procedures (Staff, Students, Contractors, occupants)

On discovery of Fire/Smoke:  Follow “RACE”

If you discover Fire or Smoke, your actions within the first two minutes will have a substantial impact on the safety of occupants in the building and the management of the emergency by the Emergency Control Organisation.  Your prompt actions will also assist to mitigate the potential loss and disruption to the University. 

The most important and immediate actions you should take

Remove people from immediate danger
Alert others in the area  (Hit the Manual Call Point if fire alarm is not sounding)
Contain the emergency eg by closing the door
Evacuate or Extinguish if trained and safe to do so

For a confirmed fire, do not hesitate to contact the Fire Service “000” and Security.

Different buildings have different alarms.

It is important that you are aware of the type of alarm installed in the building(s) you occupy.
If you are unsure, refer to the Evacuation Posters which are displayed in the corridors and common areas of the building.

On hearing the Fire Alarm (eg continuous bell)

(eg Darling, Benham, Bonython Hall, Union Hall, The Cottage, majority of buildings at the Waite and Thebarton Campus)

• Cease inter/across floor movement
• Secure your area/classified material (if applicable)
• Evacuate via the nearest, safe exit and proceed to the designated Assembly area
• Do not use lifts
• Await further instructions from the Warden
• Do not re-enter the building until given the “All Clear” by the Chief Warden, Warden, Fire Service

On hearing the Emergency Warning (and Communication) System

(eg Barr Smith Library, Horace Lamb, Architecture, Mitchell, Wills, Hughes, Ligertwood, Napier, Medical School South, Molecular Life Sciences, Physics, Johnson, 230 North Terrace, Plant Genomics Centre (Waite), National Wine Centre).

On hearing the Alert Tone (continuous beep…..beep…..)

• Cease inter/across floor movement
• Secure your area/classified materials and shut-down equipment (if necessary – eg computers)
• Prepare for possible evacuation.  Take your personal belongings if readily accessible
• If applicable, follow the instructions of the Chief Warden via the Public Address system

On hearing the Evacuation tone (continuous whoop….whoop…..)

• Evacuate via the nearest, safe exit and proceed to the designated Assembly area
• Do not use lifts
• Await further instructions from the Warden
• Do not re-enter the building until given the “All Clear” by the Chief Warden, Warden, Fire Service.

Who is in control of the emergency?

The Emergency Control Organisation (Chief Warden and Wardens) will manage and co-ordinate the evacuation of the building. They have been provided with specific roles and responsibilities in the University’s Emergency Evacuation Plan.

They will liaise with the Emergency Services on their arrival.  Security may be on site as a resource to both the Warden network and the Emergency Services.

Follow the directions of the Warden network.  They may have additional information relevant to the emergency which may change your normal evacuation route.  This information may be passed to you in person, or via the Public Address system. 

Authority

Once an Emergency is declared, the powers of Wardens and Deputy Wardens shall override normal management structure.

Colour identification for the Emergency Control Organisation

The following colours can be used to assist you identify the University’s key personnel :
Chief Warden/Deputy Chief Warden  : White helmet, vest or tabard
Wardens : Red helmet, vest or tabard

Working in a remote location

If you are required to work in location where you may not hear the alarm/evacuation signals eg roof

• Ensure someone is aware of your location
• Ensure you are able to maintain communication

Contractors

If you are aware that contractors are working in your area, and possibly working in a remote location eg ceiling space, confined space, ensure that they are aware of the emergency situation and the requirement to evacuate. 

If you are unable to make contact, ensure you inform the Warden, who will in term inform the Chief Warden/Emergency Services.

If you have information in regard to the emergency (eg nature, cause)

Report any information that may assist manage the emergency to the Warden.
If you are unable to find a Warden, report to the Chief Warden/Emergency Services, who will normally be at the main entrance to your building, or immediately contact the Security Office.

Evacuation

Exiting the Building

In a Fire Alarm situation, follow the green exit signs.  They will always provide you with a safe path of egress, and lead to outside of the building.

If you are evacuating via a stairwell, proceed in single file using the inside handrail.  Be aware that other occupants from other floors may enter the stairwell at any time.  Do not carry any object which may place you or others at risk.  (Personal belongings eg handbags etc are accepted - cups of hot coffee are not).

Assembly Area.

Please check the location of the designated Assembly Area for your building.  If unsure, please refer to the Evacuation Posters displayed in the corridor or common areas of your building.

It is important that you wait at the Assembly Area for further information eg do not leave the area.  It is then possible to obtain information as to when it is safe to enter, or if re-entry is not possible.

Use of Lifts

Please note that lifts are not to be used during a fire evacuation.  They are only to be used with the authority of the attending emergency service.

Where there a people with disabilities (eg persons with a physical, visual or auditory disability – temporary or permanent)

If you are aware of someone with a disability, please provide them with assistance.
If you are in a multi-storey building, please report with them to the floor/area Warden. 

Wait until the floor/area has been evacuated.   You may be placed at risk if you try to evacuate via the stairs when there are a large number of people.

If you are unable to use the stairs, inform the Chief Warden of your location, either by runner or via the Warden Intercommunication Point (red phone) and follow their directions. 
Where evacuation is required, this should be managed by the emergency services.
Remember, if you are not at immediate risk, it may be safer to remain where you are. 

If you are on the fire affected floor, move away from the fire and wait in a safe place (eg fire isolated stairwell) for the Fire Service.  Ensure you have advised someone of your location.  If you are on your own, contact Security.

If you are required to evacuate/enter an area/room where the door is closed

• Feel the outside of the door with the back of your hand (top, centre, bottom) to check for heat
• If cool – carefully check the metal handle with the back of your hand
• If cool – slowly open the door approximately 10-20cm, shielded behind the door opening to protect yourself
• If considered safe – enter the room/area
• If the door or the handle is hot – do not open the door
• If the room is filled with smoke, shut the door
• Proceed to an alternative Exit

Responsibilities

All occupants (including Contractors) are required to evacuate on hearing the Fire Alarm/Evacuation signal.  The Warden network have instructions to report any person refusing to comply with instructions to the Chief Warden who will advise the Emergency Services.  The Emergency Services may take the appropriate action under law.

You are also breaching your duty of care responsibilities in accordance with the University’s Policy and the OHSW legislation, as you may be placing someone at risk.

Accounting for people “head counts”

Due to the number of people on campus, and the transient nature of peoples roles, it is not possible or feasible to do a head count during the initial phases of evacuation.  Primarily the Warden network will not conduct a head count.  Their role is to ensure that all persons are cleared from the floor or area of their responsibility.  They will systematically check and clear their designated areas, and report the result to the Chief Warden.  eg “All Clear first floor”.  You are required to leave.

Extinguishing the Fire

Should you extinguish the fire?

When dealing with a fire, the first priority is safety.
The hazards associated with the fire (eg smoke, toxins and heat) can quickly affect both you and other occupants.

It should be recognised that a fire may double its size every 30 seconds, and in some environments in the University eg laboratories, this time-frame may be less.  A room can be too hot to enter in as little as 90 seconds from the time the fire began, depending on the fuel load.

Deciding on action to be taken

Firstly, remove people from immediate danger
Secondly, alert others, raise the alarm (delegate).

Before you decide to attempt to fight the fire, ensure you have considered the following :

• Someone knows, and you have back-up.  Delegate someone to ring “000” and security
• If you are capable of fighting the fire – ie is it too large, and therefore should be left to the Fire Service
• If you are in an area where there are hazardous chemicals, gas cylinders etc
• If the area has already become smoke filled

The effects of Carbon Monoxide

Do you have the right type of Fire Extinguisher?

Do you know how to operate the equipment?

• Check that it is operating before you commence
• Always position yourself between the fire and your escape route, so you cannot become trapped
• To use the extinguisher, remember PASS
  Pull the pin
  Aim at the base of the fire
  Squeeze the trigger
  Sweep from side to side

If you have not used an extinguisher before, it is recommended that you leave the area and contain the fire by closing the door.  Do not place yourself at risk.

If you use an extinguisher, do not hang it back onto the bracket.  Following the “All Clear” and return to the building, report its use and location to the Maintenance Service Centre.

Where are Fire Extinguishers located?

The University has Portable Water, CO2, Dry powder, Hose Reels and Fire blankets available throughout all buildings in accordance with the provisions of the Building Code of Australia and relevant Australian Standards. They are generally located in corridors and common areas and appropriate for the fire risks in the area. Their location is clearly sign posted.

Recognising the different types of extinguishers

Extinguishers are all labelled according to their use.  Symbols are also displayed on the extinguishers.

For example:

Where an extinguisher is not suitable, the label will appear as follows:

What if you cannot extinguish the fire?

If you cannot extinguish or control the fire, close the door and evacuate via the nearest, safe exit.

Training

It is important that you are provided with the skills and knowledge to act in accordance with established procedures, including :

• Your role and responsibilities should you discover fire or hearing the fire alarm signal(s)
• How to report an emergency or unsafe condition
• How and where to evacuate
• The roles and responsibilities of the Wardens

Additional, specialised training is provided to the Emergency Control Organisation.

Evacuation Exercises

To assist familiarise all occupants with the Fire Alarm procedures, evacuation exercises are conducted in accordance with AS 3745 (Emergency control organization and procedures for buildings, structures and workplaces). 

The University requires that all occupants of the floor(s) or area(s) involved take part, including contractors.

The aim of evacuation exercises is to have all occupants participate in at least one evacuation exercise per year consistent with the nature and risk of the building, structure and workplace.