General Conduct
Remain calm and quiet so everyone can hear emergency evacuation instructions.
- Walk quickly; do not run or push.
- Remove shoes that will slow the evacuation, such as shoes with high heels or platforms (thick soles).
- Use handrails on the right of the stairwells to prevent trips and falls during the evacuation.
- Leave the left side of the stairwell open to allow room for firefighters coming up the stairs.
- Do not eat or drink during an evacuation. Spills can occur that can cause slip-and-fall hazards for people evacuating from the floors above. Hot drinks
can also injure people if spilled directly on them.
- Assist slower-moving persons.
- All injured evacuees are to be treated at stairwell landings and await rescue from the fire department.
- Make sure all stairwell doors are closed after the last person evacuates the floor. This prevents the spread of fire and smoke.
- All evacuees must follow the direction of the SRS Person in Charge or fire department and either remain in the stairwell, remain on the floor relocated to, or continue moving. If you ultimately evacuate out of the building, walk toward the designated initial assembly area, as directed and then move to your suite’s designated meeting location for instruction.
The Search
- Search for and evacuate occupants from all rooms and public areas on each floor, such as offices, restrooms, kitchens, reception areas, elevator lobbies
and conference rooms.
- If time permits, close each door after the room is searched and place a Postit® note on the lower third of the door saying, “Searched.” This alerts the firefighters 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 preprinted on white paper with black bold lettering.
Special Assistants (help people requiring special assistance)
- Allow all individuals not requiring special assistance to evacuate the floor first, via the stairwell, before you move into the stairwell. Do not slow the
evacuation because this may cause panic.
- Leave wheelchairs behind when evacuating into stairwells.
- Move into the stairwell, 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. Building Evacuation 2/1/2009 Emergency Preparedness & Response Manual Page 5 of 5
- If conditions pose a threat and danger exists and the fire department has not arrived, the tenant 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.