Fire Safety Director
Trained Fire Safety Directors are on duty at all times. They are responsible for ensuring that all tenants are trained and aware of the safety procedures. In an emergency, the Fire Safety Director has the primary responsibility of manning the Fire Command Center and implementing the Fire Safety Plan. From this main location in the lobby, he/she will be able to control all mechanical, alarm, and communication systems within the building. The Fire Safety Director, under normal fire or fire alarm situations will usually only have to be initially concerned with evacuating the fire floor and the floor immediately above. As a standard operating procedure, usually the evacuation of those exposed will be to a location four (4) floors below the floor evacuated. Further evacuation, of additional floors, can be ordered as information is received at the Fire Command Center, or as ordered by the Fire Department Incident Commander.
The Fire Safety Director organizes and trains a Fire Brigade composed of Building staff and is responsible for their equipment and state of readiness. He or she is also responsible for overseeing the designation and training of a Floor Warden for each floor and sufficient Deputy Floor Wardens for each tenant to meet Fire Department regulations. The Fire Safety Director maintains organizational charts listing members of the current tenant emergency teams.
Fire Brigade
A Fire Brigade, consisting of building personnel, will initially report to the floor below the fire to assist in evacuation and provide information to the Fire Command Center. After the evacuation of occupants from the fire floor they shall attempt to control the spread of fire by closing (but not locking) doors behind them as they move towards their means of egress. If the fire is small and conditions do not pose an immediate personal threat, (i.e., a fire in its incipient or beginning stage) the Fire Brigade will attempt to extinguish the fire using hand held extinguishers. (As directed or instructed during their annual training)
The use of hand held extinguishes for Fire Brigade personnel shall not be attempted for a fire beyond its incipient stage. The following are definitions and examples of the various stages of fire:
Tenant Emergency Personnel
Floor Wardens
A crucial step in the development of an evacuation plan is the appointment of Tenant Floor Wardens, Deputy Floor Wardens and Searchers; these individuals should have strong personalities and the ability to take charge in the event of an emergency. Strong decision action early in an emergency may save lives.
In the case of multiple-tenant floors, a Floor Warden is appointed for each tenant. Each tenant will be required to staff all safety team positions on each floor and should check stairwells and restrooms in an emergency.
Floor Warden's Responsibilities
Know all disabled persons on the floor (including those temporarily disabled, as with a bone fracture, etc.) and assign people who are capable of evacuating disabled employees down the Emergency Stairwells. Instruct all employees on the floor as to the following:
General Evacuation Procedure
In the event of an emergency or disruption to the Building's normal operation the first reaction should be to REMAIN CALM and call the Security/Property Management Office to report the emergency. This will set in motion several events simultaneously including:
In the event that it is necessary to evacuate part or all of the building, remain CALM and LISTEN to the instructions being given over the public address system, and by property staff. Emergency Exit Stairwells are to be used for evacuation. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS unless instructed to do so over the public address system, or by Police or Fire Department representatives. Stairwell entrances are located on the north and south side of the Building's core in close proximity to the lavatories.
When using the Emergency Exit Stairwell, keep to the right so that incoming emergency personnel can utilize the stairwell.
An up-to-date listing of all personnel who may need assistance should be kept by the Building’s Emergency Action Plan Director and be documented in the Building’s Emergency Action Plan on file with the Fire Department.
Tenants should pre-assign a coordinator who will act as liaison between your company and officials from the Fire Department and building personnel.
The coordinator and property management will work to establish a communications network for all employees in order to pass-on important information.
The following recommendations are made to assist you in disseminating a fire prevention program to your employees:
Life Safety Systems - Testing and Fire Drills
Fire and life safety preparedness includes regular testing of the fire alarm, fire suppression, and communications systems and regular fire drills.
Systems' Testing
The fire alarm and communications systems are tested regularly throughout the year. A full-building announcement is made prior to the beginning of the day’s testing, and an announcement is made on each floor when testing is about to begin on that floor. Another full-building announcement is made when system testing is finished for the day.
Fire Drills
Fire drills are held twice a year. A notification giving the date and time of the planned fire drill is sent to tenants in advance. Tenants are requested to supply or update an existing list that shows the floor warden, assistant floor wardens, and searchers, and a current list of employees who would require assistance in case of relocation/evacuation.
During a fire drill - and in an actual fire emergency - employees should move calmly and quickly to the nearest fire stair exit and proceed to their relocation floor. Fire drills are conducted as follows: