Fire/evacuation emergency procedures

Do not use the elevators.

Emergency shutdown procedures

Lab personnel or the instructor in charge of the class must follow basic steps for an emergency shutdown if time permits.
  • STOP ALL ACTIVITIES
  • Shut down experiments that could be affected by the loss of electricity, water, gas, or other services
  • Turn off, unplug, and cover all electrical or electronic equipment
    • CAUTION: Do not cover ventilation vents and/or fan motors that could result in over-heating and possible fire
  • Cap all chemical containers. Ensure that water reactive chemicals are in sealed containers and stored in areas that are unlikely to become wet
  • Ensure that all chemical and hazardous waste containers are properly covered and sealed
  • Turn off all appliances, computers, and other equipment
  • Refrigerators and freezers must be closed
  • Elevate equipment, materials, and supplies, including electrical wires and chemicals, off the floor, particularly in lower elevations that are prone to flooding
  • Close all doors, including cabinets, storage areas, and offices
  • Secure lab notebooks/CDs and back up critical data on computers
  • Close and secure windows
  • Lock all exterior lab doors before leaving

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Upon returning to laboratory or facility 

  • Visually inspect the lab through the room or door windows to determine lab condition before entering
  • Conduct a damage assessment of the lab

Evacuation procedure

All undergraduate laboratories have fire and first aid posters located in the lab near the door.
Upon hearing the fire alarm or when an evacuation order is received, WALK immediately to the nearest exit. Remain outside until further instructions are received.
Laboratory supervisors are responsible for ensuring that there are appropriate evacuation procedures in place for those persons with mobility difficulties.

Fires

  • If on fire: STOP, DROP, and ROLL.
  • Notify others in the immediate area that there is a FIRE.
  • Activate the nearest alarm or, if there is no convenient fire alarm, call 911 and alert the UW police at ext. 22222.
  • Attempt to extinguish the fire only if you are trained to do so and if you can extinguish the fire without putting your own safety or the safety of others at risk. NOTE the type of fire extinguisher must correspond to the type of fire.
  • Close the windows if you can do this safely.
  • If safe to do so, assist physically impaired to a safe location (stairwell or office with phone).
  • Leave the room and close the door. Put a coat on in winter for protection.
  • WALK out of the building via the closest safe emergency exit. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.
  • Move away from the building at least 30 metres, leaving clear access for emergency services.
  • Report any information about the fire or persons remaining in the building to UW police and fire department.
  • Follow the instructions of emergency response services and fire wardens.
  • Do not re-enter the building until authorized by fire department or UW police

Fire extinguishers

Numerous fire extinguishers are located in the hallways of CPH. Identify the location of the extinguisher, alarm, and exit closest to your work area. A fire extinguisher is also located in the Management Engineering Undergraduate Laboratory (CPH 1324).

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Emergency procedures, violent situations on campus

What is a violent situation? - Violent or armed intruder on campus who is actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.

How will I know a violent situation is occurring?

Who to call? - Call 911, or University police 519-888-4911, or ext. 22222 for all campuses

What to report? When contacting authorities, report the following:

  • Your specific location, building name and office/room number
  • The number of people at your specific location
  • If there are injuries the number and types of injuries and
  • If you have seen an assailant or identified a threat
    • location and number of suspects
    • direction of travel
    • their clothing and description
    • their identity if known
    • any weapons or accessories (e.g. backpack)
    • any unusual or threatening sounds (eg. gunfire or explosion)

If a violent situation is not occurring near you, take the necessary steps to secure yourself in a safe location as follows.

  • Move immediately to the nearest room you feel is safe with as many people as possible
  • Lock and barricade the door
  • Turn off the lights or maintain minimal lighting
  • Cover all windows with blinds, curtains, etc.
  • Keep back from windows and doors
  • Lie flat on the floor or take cover out of sight
  • Mute cell phones
  • Keep calm and quiet
  • Stay in the room until police arrive. Remember it may be several hours before you can be safely evacuated.

If a violent situation is occurring near you, please follow the safest course of action as follows:

  • GET OUT: Getting out is by far the best option if you believe you can escape safely. This is why it is a good idea to make mental notes of means of escape wherever you may be on campus. if you hear something that could be gunshots, don't wait: get out.
  • HIDE: Hide if you don't know exactly where the shooting is happening or it's too late to escape safely. Follow the above procedures 1-9 to secure yourself in a safe location.
  • FIGHT: Fight is your absolute last resort. You would only confront a violent or armed intruder if you somehow became trapped in a space with no escape. A violent or armed intruder typically doesn't respond to reason so you must assume they intend to harm you. Find an object you can use to strike the shooter with; trip them with a chair; be as aggressive as you can; do anything you can stop them.
In case of injury

Follow these steps when safe to do so:

  • Call 911 or 519-888-4911 or ext 22222, from a hard wired line if possible
  • Place a sign in an exterior window to identify the location of the injured people
If fire alarm sounds during lockdown
  • DO NOT respond normally as a fire alarm, during a lock down may be a ploy by an armed intruder
  • Remain calm in your lock down secure area, if safe to do so
  • In case of fire, follow fire/evacuation procedures

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