Policy

When fire alarms sound or visual alarms flash, evacuate the building immediately. Each staff member is responsible for knowing what to do in case of a fire emergency.

Rationale

• Fire doubles in size every 15 seconds, so immediate action is vital. It is each staff member's responsibility to:
• Know the locations of all exits from the building;
• Know what specific areas of the building each staff member is responsible for evacuating;
• Learn the locations and operation of fire extinguishers in the building; and
• Understand and be able to help with the evacuation procedure.

Application

• When there is a fire or when fire alarms sound, staff should immediately evacuate the building.
• Note: There are fire alarms located throughout all library agencies. These are activated when smoke is detected by a smoke detector or beam detector anywhere in a library building, or when activated by the sprinkler system at Gresham. (Sprinklers are currently located throughout the Gresham Regional Library and Central Library.)
• Alarms are monitored 24 hours each day, and fire trucks are automatically dispatched when the alarms sound. Fire alarms sound throughout the building (unlike elevator alarms, boiler alarms, etc. that are localized). If necessary, staff can verify that an alarm is a FIRE alarm by checking to see that the sound is coming from a fire alarm device.

Procedure

1. Remain calm.
    
2. Fire trucks are automatically dispatched when the alarms sound. As a back-up measure, the Switchboard Operator at Central or a supervisor at the Administration Building and branch libraries should call the Fire Department when the fire alarm sounds (9-911). Before a library agency opens, anyone hearing a fire alarm should call 9-911.
    
3. Fire extinguishers:
   1. Use extinguishers only if fires are small and can be quickly put out (such as a fire in a wastepaper basket).
   2. Pull the pin, squeeze the handles together and fire the extinguisher at the base of the flame, using sweeping, side-to-side motions.
   3. Be sure that the fire is completely extinguished.
   4. IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO SO, EVACUATE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY.
       
4. Evacuate the building. Leave the lights on. Refer to Evacuation Exits (in this manual) for areas of evacuation responsibility.
    
5. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS. When all ambulatory persons on the floor have evacuated and traffic at the stairwell has cleared, staff members may take anyone on crutches, in a wheelchair, or for any other reason not able to use the stairs to the evacuation area. Staff have the choice to assist those who are non-ambulatory and they are not required to remain with persons in evacuation areas. The only requirement of staff is that they alert emergency responders about the location of known persons in the building.
   • At Central Library, the evacuation area is the exit stairwell at the south side rear of the building (towards SW Taylor and SW 11th Avenue) and is accessible from all floors. If the stairwell is free of smoke, enter and wait on the stairwell landing. Make sure that the door is securely closed. Staff members may decide to wait with the person(s) unable to use the stairs. Patrons can be reassured that this stairwell is a designated rescue area, which means that the Fire Department will send firefighters to assist them, if evacuation is necessary.  Staff are required to alert emergency responders of the location where those people are waiting.
   • At North Portland Library, the evacuation area is at the meeting room emergency exit door. There is a button by this door, when pushed it will display on the fire panel on the first floor to alert firefighters that there is someone up there.
   • At Albina Library, the evacuation area is at the staff exit. It is designated by a sign.This exists because the 180 degree turn at bottom of the ramp does not meet ADA space guidelines.  
      
   • If you are not ambulatory, or are waiting with someone who is not able to use the stairs and see that traffic builds from the evacuation of upper floors, you may need to re-enter your floor and assist the non-ambulatory person to do so in order to allow others to pass and the stairwell to clear.
   • If there are too many individuals to wait in the evacuation area or if the stairwell is not free of smoke, seek another area of refuge on the floor, such as a room with a door, window and telephone.
      
6. Use the following fire survival skills to protect yourselves:
   1. Block openings around doors or vents where smoke might enter using towels or clothing. If possible, put a wet cloth over your mouth and nose.
   2. Place a signal in the window--anything that will call attention to your location (e.g., a large sign, or curtains tied in a knot).
   3. If smoke or fire enters the area, call 9-911 from a staff phone, or 911 from a cell phone, to report your location. Stay low to the floor to breathe the best air.
   4. Do not open or break windows. Often smoke from the outside of the building can enter through open windows. Breaking windows will put you at great risk of smoke entering from the outside, and will hamper rescue efforts below.
   5. Library staff should NOT attempt to carry individuals who cannot walk down the stairs, unless conditions in the stairwell become threatening. If conditions in the stairwell deteriorate before firefighters arrive to assist non-ambulatory individuals, staff may then assist the person down the stairs to a safer area.
       
7. Report to the established meeting place. Refer to Evacuation Exits (in this manual) for the established meeting place.
    
8. Do not return to the building until instructed to do so by appropriate personnel (usually Fire Department personnel; at some locations, building security staff or supervisors).
    
9. Unless there is immediate danger, the person in charge and other supervisors will remain at the front door to prevent people from entering the building until it is safe to do so.
    
10. Evacuation areas of responsibility, location of fire extinguishers and building exits are outlined in "Evacuation Exits," in this manual, and are posted in work areas.
     
11. Report all fires or incidents of arson to the Fire Department and the Director of Community Services, Director of Central (and security at 503.969.2921) or Deputy Director, even if the fire is small and has been extinguished. If you suspect that the fire might have been arson (e.g., burning materials through the bookdrop, etc.), do not disturb the area until Fire Department personnel have investigated.