Preparedness

GENERAL INFORMATION

• The building may be fully or partially evacuated when a fire alarm signal is activated. An effective evacuation depends on the orderly ‘phasing’ of floor clearance, which means that the fire floor is evacuated first and immediately to be followed by any other nearby spaces.

THE PERSON WHO DISCOVERS THE FIRE SHOULD:

1. Close the door nearest to the source of smoke, only if it is safe, and time permits.
2. Move everyone out of the area and instruct him or her to close doors behind them when exiting. This will help control the fire by limiting the oxygen supply and prevent the spread of smoke and fire. Searchers are responsible for checking offices/rooms outside of the immediate area.
3. Dial 911 or the local emergency number from a safe location, and provide the dispatcher with the following information:
   • Name
   • Type of Emergency
   • Location of the Fire
   • What is burning
   • Company Name
   • Physical Address [not building name]
   • Floor and Suite number
   • Telephone Number
   • Number of Injuries
   • Equipment or System Involved
4. Call building management and report the emergency (617) 737-8640.

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EVACUATION PROCEDURES

1. Generally, the Floor Warden will be notified of fire via the alarm system or by the property team to commence evacuation procedures. This floor will begin evacuating down to a specified floor or out of the building.
2. In some situations, the fire department may fight the fire from the stairwell because of the location of the fire, standpipes, and hose connections. If this is the case, be prepared to move evacuees to an alternate stairwell to prevent evacuees from walking down a smoke-filled stairwell and/or interfering with the firefighting process.
3. If fire or smoke exists and the alarm is not activated, the Emergency Response Team must implement the Plan on its own. Floor Wardens and Suite Monitors are to contact Searchers, Special Assistants, Stairwell and Elevator Monitors for their suite and common areas of the floor. Together the team will commence the evacuation and assume full control of the implementation of the Plan on their floors. Do not panic, control and decorum must be observed for maximum effectiveness.

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FLOOR WARDENS / ALTERNATES (Tenants: manage evacuation of tenant space)

• Direct the Emergency Response Team for their suite and common areas on the floor in the event of an alarm or fire.
• Floor Wardens have dual roles, they are responsible for their suite and common areas on the floor.
• Ensure that their suite and common areas on their floor are evacuated.
• Follow direction provided JLL Management and the fire department during an alarm or fire.
• Report the names and locations of all individuals waiting for assistance to evacuate/relocate to the local authorities.

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SUITE MONITORS / ALTERNATES (Tenants: manage evacuation of a tenant suite)

• Direct the Emergency Response Team and occupants in the event of an alarm or fire.
• Follow direction provided by the JLL Management and the fire department during an alarm or fire emergency.
• Take attendance of suite occupants and visitors at your Predetermined Initial Assembly Area or your suite’s Designated Meeting Location to ensure that all individuals are accounted for. Report missing persons to the local authorities.

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SEARCHERS (Tenants: make sure no one is left behind)

• Search for and evacuate occupants from all suites and common areas on the floor such as offices, restrooms, kitchens, reception areas, elevator lobbies, conference centers, fitness centers, etc. Tenants may need several Searchers depending on the size of the suite and the number of common areas to be searched. If the suite is large, divide it into quadrants and permanently assign a Searcher to a specific quadrant. If there are several common areas to be searched, assign Searchers to specific common areas.
• If time permits, close each door after the room is searched and place a Post- it note on the lower third of the door saying “Searched”. This alerts the fire fighters that the room has already been searched and gives them more time to fight the fire. It is recommended that Searchers have the Post-it notes pre-printed on white paper with large bold black lettering.
• Direct all remaining occupants on the floor to evacuate.

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SPECIAL ASSISTANTS (Tenants: aid persons requiring special assistance)

• Two individuals must be assigned to every person requiring assistance and report to the assigned individual requiring aid.
• Commence relocating the individual requiring aid to the nearest safe location. If there is evidence of a fire, relocate the individual to the emergency stairwell farthest away from the fire.
• Persons who do not require special assistance are to evacuate first. The individuals requiring special assistance can then evacuate without slowing the evacuation. Do not slow or impede the evacuation, this may cause panic.
• Wheelchairs should be left behind when evacuating via the stairwells.
• Move into the stairwell or safe refuge area, close the door behind you, and remain on the landing. If floors above are evacuating, and the floor you are on is not affected by smoke or fire, move back onto the floor until the upper floors have evacuated so you don’t slow the evacuation.
• If imminent danger exists, the Emergency Response Team may assist in evacuating the individual to a safe area.
• Report the names and locations of persons waiting for assistance to evacuate/relocate to the local authorities.

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STAIRWELL MONITORS (Tenants: manage stairwell evacuation)

• Report to the assigned stairwell and check the environment inside the stairwell before you allow anyone access.
• If the door is hot to the touch or if the stairwell is affected by smoke, direct individuals to an alternate emergency stairwell and notify the Floor Warden to ensure that the local authorities are informed.
• Do not allow evacuees to take food or beverages along when evacuating. Spilling of food and beverages will cause a slip and fall hazard that can slow the evacuation and possibly cause injuries. Hot beverages can also cause burn injuries if spilled directly on individuals. When evacuating time is of the essence, it can save lives.
• Two Stairwell Monitors are to be stationed at each stairwell. One at the stairwell door holding the stairwell door open, directing individuals to walk quietly in a single line, and the other at the first landing directing individuals to walk on the right side of the stairwell. Walking on the right side of the stairwell helps evacuees down the stairwell safely because stairwells generally have a continuous handrail on the right side that can guide individuals in the dark. Keeping to one side of the stairwell also allows the fire department to ascend freely on the left side of the stairwell.
• Tenants must remain calm and adhere to strict stairwell discipline. Evacuees must be silent to allow everyone in the stairwell to hear all emergency announcements and commands.
• Evacuate individuals down the stairwell in a systematic and orderly manner.

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ELEVATOR MONITORS (Tenants: prevent the use of elevators)

• DO NOT USE ELEVATORS IN A FIRE EMERGENCY.
• Report to the elevator lobby and redirect individuals to the nearest emergency stairwell in a fire emergency.

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GENERAL CONDUCT DURING AN EVACUATION

1. Remain calm and quiet, to ensure that everyone is able to hear emergency evacuation announcements and instructions.
2. Walk quickly, do not run or push.
3. Remove shoes that will slow the evacuation i.e. high heels, platforms.
4. Use handrails on the right side of the stairwells to prevent trips and falls during the evacuation.
5. Do not eat or drink during an evacuation, spills can occur that will cause slip and fall hazards, and hot beverages can injure if spilled directly on individuals.
6. Assist slower moving individuals.
7. Walk in a single file line on the right side of the stairwells using the handrails to guide you. Allow emergency personnel to ascend on the right without obstruction.
8. All injured evacuees are to be treated on a stairwell landing and await rescue from the fire department.
9. Make sure all stairwell doors are closed after the last person evacuates the floor. This will prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
10. All evacuees must follow the direction of the fire department and either remain on the floor that they were directed to relocate to, or to continue moving down the stairwell if directed to do so. If you ultimately evacuate out of the building, walk toward the Predetermined Initial Assembly Area as directed, then move to your company’s Designated Meeting Location for further instructions from your Suite Monitor.

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FIRE LIFE SAFETY TIPS IN A FIRE EMERGENCY

1. Stay low to the ground; move on your hands and knees. Smoke is the number one killer in a fire. Smoke, heat and noxious gases rise, the temperature in a fire can easily reach 1300 degrees at the ceiling, 600 degrees at 6 feet, and only 95 degrees at floor level. Staying low can save your life.
2. Know where all emergency stairwells are located. Practice exiting and count the number of doorways, and hallways between your location and the fire exits. It can be nearly impossible to see in a fire because of the smoke. Knowing the number of doorways, and hallways between you and the fire exits helps to ensure that you will find the exit and evacuate safely.
3. Keep a flashlight at your desk to help see in a fire.
4. Keep a pair of walking shoes at your desk to help you evacuate quickly.
5. If your clothing catches fire drop to the ground and roll.
6. IF YOU ARE TRAPPED IN A BUILDING:
   • Move quickly away from the fire closing all doors between you and the fire.
   • If all other options to escape have been unsuccessful, move to a room with a telephone and an outside window. This option is a last resort.
   • Call 911, give them your exact location and tell them you are trapped. Stay on the telephone with the dispatcher until help arrives.
   • Keep smoke out of the room by using clothing, paper towels, newspapers, to seal the cracks around door and vents. Wet materials work the best because they create a tight seal.
   • Wave something brightly colored in the window to attract attention and help rescuers find you.
   • Do your best to remain calm.

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FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

• Keep all hallways, and stairwells free of boxes, stored materials and trash. These areas must be kept open and unobstructed to provide a clear pathway in the event of an emergency evacuation.
• Do not prop stairwell doors or any other fire doors open, such as a door from a suite, into a common area hallway. Stairwell and fire doors are designed to keep fire and smoke compartmentalized and out of your area.
• Remove all discarded files and paper trash from your office. An accumulation of these items can fuel a fire.
• Do not overload electrical outlets with extension power strips ormulti-plugs.
• Turn off all electrical equipment at the end of the day including: coffee pots, printers, copiers, computers, etc.
• Inspect electrical cords and keep them in good condition. Replace those that are cut or frayed.
• Generally, sprinkler heads require a clearance of 18 inches from the bottom of the sprinkler head and the top of any object underneath in order to operate properly and extinguish a fire. Be careful to follow local codes and guidelines for clearance levels beneath sprinkler heads.
• Keep electrical rooms and areas with electrical panels clear and free from stored material.
• Flammable solvents are generally not permitted in tenant areas. Remove all flammable solvents immediately.

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FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

When used properly, dry chemical fire extinguishers can save lives. They are useful in containing very small fires no larger than a small trash can while waiting for the fire department to arrive, always put yourself between the fire and an exit.

Fire extinguishers come in different classes to fight different types of fires. You need to know what material is burning in order to use the correct class of extinguisher. Using the wrong class of extinguisher can actually make a fire worse. Fire extinguishers come in four classes:

• Class A – Ordinary Combustibles – Wood, Paper, Plastics, Cloth.
• Class B – Flammable Liquids – Grease, Oil.
• Class C – Electrical Equipment – Computer, Printer, TV, VCR, etc.
• Class D – Flammable Metals – Magnesium.

Generally, office buildings use ABC rated extinguishers, which are acceptable to use on all A, B, and C class fires.

HOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER

• Hold the extinguisher upright.
• Stand back 8 to 10 feet from the fire.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth if possible when you extinguish a fire, because a large amount of smoke may be generated.

REMEMBER - P A S S:

• Pull the retaining pin
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames
• Squeeze the handle completely
• Sweep from side to side; go slightly beyond the fire with each sweep retaining pin the nozzle at the base the handle completely

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