University buildings are equipped with fire extinguishers in accordance with the requirements of the construction and/or fire safety codes. Students, Faculty and Staff are not expected to utilize these devices nor are they trained in their use due to the danger to their personal safety, which would result from attempting to extinguish a fire. Many buildings are protected by automatic sprinkler systems and/or fire standpipe systems. All major buildings are equipped with automatic fire detection and alarm systems, which are constantly monitored by Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) Communications Center. Special hazards such as chemical storage, high voltage electrical, cooking, spray painting and computer installations are protected by fixed suppression systems in addition to the aforementioned types of built-in protection. There are no fire hoses for building occupant use located in any University building; fire hose connections are for fire department use only.
If you discover a fire or smell smoke, sound the building fire alarm by pulling the manual pull station and begin to evacuate the building. Know the locations of the manual fire alarm pull stations and how they operate. Do not attempt to fight a fire due to the hazards associated with the products of combustion and the threat of a spreading fire. Contact the RUPD’s Communications Center using the Emergency or Non-Emergency numbers to report the incident.
Report a Fire Incident Occurring at an Outlying Campus
- Fire Evacuation Plan
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In an effort to increase emergency preparedness in our buildings, Fire Evacuation Plans have been developed for these buildings and each residence hall. The International Fire Code, New Jersey Edition requires that each occupant review the plan and become familiar with the requirements contained.
The Fire Evacuation Plans contain information on what to do in case of a fire in your building and should be reviewed by all employees and students. To access the Fire Evacuation Plan for the building to which you are assigned, please visit myrehs.rutgers.edu and log in with your RU NetID and Password
Upon hearing a building fire alarm signal, which could be a bell, horn, or voice message immediately begin evacuation. Close the doors behind you. Use the nearest safe exit, but DO NOT use elevators. Full evacuation of the building is required upon an activation of the fire alarm system. Once you have evacuated the building, re-entry is permitted only after approval from the appropriate emergency responder (e.g. Emergency Services, municipal Fire Department or other mutual aid responder).
When leaving the building, assemble in an area established by the specific evacuation plan for your building (if required), area designated by your supervisor, or 100 feet from the main entrance of the building where you will not hinder the approaching firefighters and apparatus. Upon arrival at the assembly point, a survey of staff members/students/visitors present shall be conducted to determine if anyone failed to evacuate the building. If anyone is discovered to be missing, immediately report that information to the Emergency Responders (Police, Fire or Emergency Services).
- If caught in smoke or heat, stay low where the air is better and attempt to reach a safe exit or area of refuge.
- Know the location of all exits from your building. All required exits in University facilities are properly marked with illuminated EXIT signs and directional arrows.
- During an emergency event, the Department of Emergency Services, RUPD and municipal emergency departments, as necessary, will be responsible for rescue and emergency medical aid.
- If you have any questions regarding Fire Evacuation Plan, please contact Rutgers University Emergency Services at (848) 932-4800 or visit rues.rutgers.edu.
- If caught in smoke or heat, stay low where the air is better and attempt to reach a safe exit or area of refuge.
- Fire Prevention Plan
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Under the authority of the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, The Rutgers University Department of Emergency Services" Fire Safety Bureau is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of the International Fire Code, New Jersey Edition , and is the authority having jurisdiction with respect to fire safety regulations, policies and procedures. The Fire Safety Bureau is staffed with State certified fire inspectors who regularly inspect all University premises to assure compliance with fire safety regulations, test fire protection systems and equipment, and conduct employee training programs to familiarize staff with fire hazards and procedures to be followed in an emergency. Furthermore, employees are apprised of the fire hazards of the materials and processes with which they work during state-mandated Right-to-know training.
Effective July 1, 1994, by action of the Rutgers Board of Governors, smoking is prohibited in all University buildings and within University-owned motor vehicles, thus eliminating the health and fire hazard associated with the use of smoking materials. A permit system for control of welding and cutting is in place within the Facilities organization to control this potential fire hazard. All other hazards are regulated through the inspection procedures.
University buildings are equipped with fire extinguishers in accordance with the requirements of the construction and/or fire safety codes. Employees are not expected to utilize these devices nor are they trained in their use due to the danger to their personal safety which would result from attempting to extinguish a fire. Many buildings are protected by automatic sprinkler systems and/or fire standpipe systems. All major buildings are equipped with automatic fire detection and alarm systems, which are constantly, monitored at the respective University Police Department stations. Special hazards, such as chemical storage, high voltage electrical, cooking, spray painting and computer installations are protected by fixed suppression systems in addition to the aforementioned types of built-in protection. There are no fire hoses for building occupant use located in any University building; fire hose connections for fire department use exist.
- The University's Fire Safety Bureau is staffed by certified Fire Code Inspectors, Fire Officers, Fire Alarm System Technicians and Fire Sprinkler Inspectors.
- Fire safety inspections generate formal, written Notices of Violation, which are issued to the individual responsible for the correction of an observed fire hazard. Reinspections are established and are conducted. There is a process that is followed for granting extensions of time for hazard abatement, as well as handling uncorrected cited hazards.
- All fire protection systems are inspected at the frequencies required by the International Fire Code, New Jersey Edition. These include automatic sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, fixed suppression systems, fire alarm systems, emergency power generators, fire pumps, fire extinguishers and fire hydrants.
- The Fire Safety Bureau is empowered, by New Jersey Regulation, to order the abatement of cited fire hazards, to assess penalties for non-compliance, and to issue punitive closing notices and vacate buildings where uncorrected hazards exist.
- For further information regarding fire safety, to request assistance in developing office fire safety plans, or to schedule a fire safety training session contact the Fire Safety Bureau at New Brunswick at (848) 932-4800 or rues.rutgers.edu.
- Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish.
- Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher - different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances.
- Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!
- The University's Fire Safety Bureau is staffed by certified Fire Code Inspectors, Fire Officers, Fire Alarm System Technicians and Fire Sprinkler Inspectors.
- Fire Extinguisher Use Guidelines
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Employees and students are not expected to fight fires. In the event of a fire, you should alert others and immediately evacuate the building.
University buildings are equipped with fire extinguishers in accordance with the requirements of the construction and/or fire safety codes. Students, Faculty and Staff are not expected to utilize these devices to fight fires because of the potential danger to their personal safety which could result from attempting to extinguish a fire, the hazards associated with the products of combustion and the threat of a spreading fire.
However, a fire extinguisher may be utilized to clear a safe path to an exit or to "shoot your way out" of a building if you are trapped. Before using a fire extinguisher, you should know how to properly select and operate one. It is important to use the right kind (Class) of extinguisher for the fire. The following letters identify the classes of fire extinguishers:
Class A
For ordinary combustible solids including paper, wood, coal, rubber, and textiles such as wastebaskets, small pieces of furniture, etc. A pressurized water fire extinguisher. Class B
For flammable and combustible liquids, including gasoline, diesel fuel, alcohol, motor oil, grease, and flammable solvents. Typically, a dry chemical fire extinguisher and can be used on all three Classes if it is rated as an ABC fire extinguisher. Class C
Electrical equipment. A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. If you find yourself trapped and required to "shoot your way out" or to clear a safe path to an exit, the following are guidelines on how to use the extinguisher:
P.A.S.S - Use of a Fire Extinguisher
PULL
Holding extinguisher upright, twist the pin to break the plastic safety seal. Pull the pin completely out. AIM
Aim low. Point the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the base of the fire not the flames. This is important in order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel. SQUEEZE
Squeeze the handle. This releases the extinguishing agent. SWEEP
Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Watch the fire area. Back away if fire breaks out again repeat the process.
- If possible, do not attempt to extinguish any fire without calling for help and pulling the fire alarm.
- Don't turn your back on it! Back away from the fire, watching it to make sure that it does not reignite.
- Chemical Spill
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First, you must decide on whether to evacuate the immediate area of the spill. If you find yourself in a situation were you cannot safely control the spill, the safest action is to evacuate the area. The likelihood of a chemical spill occurring outside of a laboratory is rare, but if you find yourself confronting a chemical hazard in a non-laboratory (clinic, mechanical room, outdoors setting please contact:
- REHS: (848) 445-2550
- RUPD: New Brunswick (732) 932-7111
- Newark: (973) 353-5111 or (973) 972-4491
- Camden: (856) 225-6111
For Laboratory Incidents:
Evacuation
- If the spill is contained within an operating fume hood, evacuation is not necessary.
- If the spill is outside of an operating fume hood but within your lab, evacuation is usually not necessary since the laboratories are generally under negative pressure with respect to surrounding areas
- If the spill is outside a laboratory, if you spill a Particularly Hazardous Substance, or you have reason to believe that a spill in the laboratory may escape into the surrounding areas, please do not hesitate to pull a fire alarm if you feel the need for building-wide evacuation.
Personal Contamination
- If a spilled material has contacted any part of your body, start first aid measures immediately. Shout for help and move directly to the nearest eyewash or safety shower. Disrobe promptly if clothing is involved.
- If eyes or skin are involved flush with an emergency eyewash and/or safety shower for a minimum of 30 minutes. Other persons should assist (you will need help with eye flushing) and should contact RUPD
- (New Brunswick (732) 932-7111, Newark (973) 353-5111 or (973) 972-4491, Camden (856) 225-6111) as soon as possible to obtain medical assistance
Spill Cleanup
If you have the appropriate laboratory training, you can clean up a chemical spill yourself. Make a determination on whether a cleanup can be handled or if assistance is required. Generally, the spill can and should be cleaned up by laboratory personnel if the material is of low hazard (low corrosivity and toxicity) and if one gallon or less has been spilled. REVIEW THE APPROPRIATE SAFETY DATA SHEETS and use the following guidelines based on the size of the spill.
Small Spill Large Spill ASSESS spill size, chemical type and available cleanup equipment.
EVACUATE the immediate area.
WARN other personnel.
WEAR appropriate PPE.
CLEAN UP spill using appropriate spill kit if trained to do so.
CONTAIN spilled material in a sturdy plastic bag or sealed drum. Apply a hazardous waste label and contact REHS for disposal.
ATTEND to injured persons, seek appropriate medical attention.
EVACUATE area/building.
EXTINGUISH ignition and heat sources.
PREVENT spill from spreading.
CONTACT REHS for assistance. After hours call RUPD.
FILE a formal incident report.
If you require any more information, contact REHS at (848) 445-2550 or REHS-Newark (973) 972-4812.
