FIRE AND EVACUATION POLICY/
SHELTER-IN-PLACE PROCEDURES

1. Fire Emergencies
2. Suggested Designated Areas
3. Shelter-in-Place Procedures
4. Fire Wardens
5. Fire Prevention (Smoking, Candles, Decorations, Storage)
6. Evacuation Procedures for Disabled Individuals

FIRE EMERGENCIES

If it is a very small contained fire, alert the people in the area and activate the alarm.

Call or designate someone nearby to call the Fire Department, 911 and notify USP Public Safety (215-596-7000).

Smother the fire or use the fire control equipment in your area to put out the fire, if you can do so without endangering yourself, and only if you have received fire extinguisher training. 

If there is a larger fire, remember R.A.C.E.:

Rescue - Remove people from immediate danger. (Alert people)
Alarm - Pull the nearest alarm. From a safe location, call 911 and/or call USP Public Safety (X7000 or use emergency call boxes).
Confine - Close all doors.  Smoke can only be contained if drafts are removed and all fire doors kept closed.  Prevent smoke and fire from entering exit pathways. Never wedge or prop open a fire door.(i.e., at stairwells, exits, across hallways)
Exit - Exit or evacuate the building. Do not use elevators.

If possible, shut down equipment in the immediate area.

IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS THE PERSON WHO NOTIFIED OR GENERATED A NOTIFICATION TO USP PUBLIC SAFETY OR FIRE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL (FIRE DEPARTMENT). RELAY INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT OCCURRED INCLUDING SPECIAL HAZARD INFORMATION THAT YOU MAY KNOW.

If the fire alarms are ringing in your building:

Faculty, supervisors, managers, heads of departments shall inform their employees and students of their designated area in advance of a fire emergency or drill.

If you are a supervisor, account for your employees and report any missing persons to the fire emergency personnel at the scene. Assist fire emergency personnel as may be requested.

The fire alarms may not be silenced or reset until directed to do so by fire emergency personnel. DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL DIRECTED TO DO SO BY USP PUBLIC SAFETY OR FIRE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL.

Suggested Designated Areas for Evacuation:

Alfred J. D'Angelo Mall for:  McNeil Research Center, Pharmacology/Toxicology Center, Rosenberger Hall and Whitecar Hall.

Alfred J. D'Angelo Mall or 43rd Street near Rosenberger Hall for:  Griffith Hall.

Woodland Avenue Crosswalk (between 42nd and 43rd Streets) for:  Kline Hall.

42nd Street for:  East Building and 4140 Woodland Avenue Building.

Woodland Avenue Crosswalk (between 42nd and 43rd Streets) for:   Gymnasium/Alumni Hall and Library.

Parking Lot behind Wilson and Goodman Halls for:  Residence Halls - Wilson Hall Student Center
and Goodman Hall.

43rd Street for:  4500 Building (Facilities Services and Security Department Headquarters) and Glasser Hall.

42nd Street for: Residence Hall - Osol Hall.  
Parking Lot behind Wilson and Goodman Halls for: Athletic Recreation Center and the McNeil
Science and Technology Center.

ARC Parking Lot for: Central Utility Plant.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE

When directed by local authorities (KYW AM 1060), USP Public Safety, if you receive a message through e-mail, voice mail, text message, the campus TV and website, messengers, or if the neighborhood siren warning system from Sunoco Refinery sounds in an emergency,

Siren Tests:

The neighborhood siren warning system will be tested during the 1st Saturday of every month at noon and the test siren will sound for approximately 30 seconds. The test sirens should be ignored. In the event of a real emergency, the siren will sound continuously for 3 minutes.

  Suggested Designated Areas for Sheltering-in-Place:
   
  Alexandria Building - stay in suites, but move to the living room area
  Alumni Hall - 1st Floor Corridor
  Athletic Recreation Center - All floor levels move to the 1st floor weight room area
  Central Utility Plant - Office room #105
  East Building - All floor levels move to the 2nd floor, room #200
  Glasser Hall/4500 Woodland Avenue Building - All floor levels move to the 4500 Woodland Avenue Building, room #107 and room #110 and nearby corridors
  Goodman Hall - 2nd floor, 3rd floor and 4th floor corridors
  Griffith Hall - GH-A, GH-C, 2nd floor center corridor, 3rd floor center corridor
  Kline Hall - 2nd floor (top level) lobby area and corridors, 1st floor corridor for restroom
  Library - All floor levels move to the 2nd floor of the library
  McNeil Research Center- All floor levels move to the Pharmacology/Toxicology Building 2nd floor lobby area and 2nd floor corridors
 

McNeil Science & Technology Center - All floor levels move to the 1st floor auditorium or the 1st floor south corridor

  Osol Hall - 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th floor lobby areas
  Pharmacology/Toxicology Center - All floor levels move to the 2nd floor lobby area and 2nd floor corridors
  Rosenberger Hall - Conference room #100, room #101, room #102 and nearby corridor
  Whitecar Hall - All floor levels move to the 2nd floor, conference room #207 and corridor
  Wilson Hall - 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floor corridors
  4140 Woodland Avenue Building - stay in individual offices or inside corridors
  4140 Woodland Avenue Warehouse - office space in the back
  4100 Chester Avenue Building - stay in individual offices

FIRE WARDENS

Purpose

The fundamental purpose of a Fire Warden is to direct the safe and orderly evacuation of the building in the case of a fire alarm, evacuation or other emergency.  The concern of Fire Wardens is for individual safety and not the protection or salvage of property.

Authority

Fire Wardens are charged with carrying out University policies regarding evacuations and other emergencies.  Fire Wardens wear red jackets for recognition and as symbols of their authority.

Duties

1. The primary duty of a Fire Warden is to direct the safe and orderly evacuation of people in their assigned areas of the building.  In addition, to assist USP Public Safety with moving the occupants to a safe area.  (Away from the building) DO NOT put yourself in danger by waiting to ensure everyone evacuates.
2. It is the duty of a Fire Warden to regard a fire alarm as a potential fire emergency.  Fire Wardens should not take the time to ascertain whether the alarm represents a false alarm or a bona fide emergency situation.
3. Fire Wardens should ensure that doors in their area are closed on their way out.  This will eliminate drafts and provide for containment of deadly smoke, gases and fire in the event of a fire emergency.
4. As a Fire Warden, report individuals who are not evacuating to the responding USP Public Safety Officer.
5. Fire Wardens should help the USP Public Safety Officers and responding emergency officials keep employees and students from re-entering the building until the "all clear" is given. (Even if the bells have stopped ringing) Responding fire department personnel or USP Public Safety, with the fire department's permission, will give the "all clear".
   
6. If you can safely do so, Fire Wardens are requested to assist a person with physical disabilities. See Evacuation Procedures for Disabled Individuals.

Shelter-in-Place Duties

When requested to Shelter-in-Place, or when the neighborhood siren warning system sounds in an emergency, Fire Wardens should help direct people to the building's inside Shelter-in-Place recommended area(s). Ensure that all windows and doors are closed. When a Shelter-in-Place emergency is over, Fire Wardens should help USP Public Safety direct people outside and open operable windows and doors.

FIRE PREVENTION

SMOKING:

Due to the accumulating evidence that smoking increases the risk of cancer and other health hazards for non-smokers as well as smokers, it is in the best interest of everyone's health that smoking be prohibited at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Employees are prohibited from smoking in all campus buildings and in all University-owned vehicles. When smoking outside, be considerate of others and smoke away from the building. Dispose of all ashes and discarded cigarettes properly.

CANDLES:

Lighted candles, incense and potpourri are prohibited in all University buildings. Candles or small heating sources (i.e., alcohol burning devices) may be used for catered events when securely fixed on substantial non-combustible bases and in spill-proof containers. Candles must be so located as to avoid the danger of igniting combustible materials.

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS:

STORAGE ON CAMPUS:

Combustible materials are those capable of burning and igniting when exposed to heat, sparks, or flames. (such as paper, wood, cardboard, furniture, cloth, plastic, etc.)


University of the Sciences in Philadelphia • 600 South Forty-third Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495 • phone: 215-596-8800 • email: safety@usip.edu