Fire / Explosion

Prevention

1. Department or Unit Administrative Officers such as chairs or directors are responsible for ensuring that an annual safety inspection is conducted to identify and control workplace hazards. (SPPM 2.50)
   • WSU Safety Inspection Checklist
2. Department or Unit Administrative Officers such as chairs or directors, with the assistance of the safety committee, are responsible for conducting annual safety inspections for their area.
3. Safety inspections are to be conducted at least annually. However, high-hazard areas, i.e., workshops and laboratories, should be inspected more frequently.
4. Department or Unit Administrative Officers such as chairs or directors retains the completed Safety Inspection Checklist and forwards a copy to Environmental Health and Safety.

Protection

1. Staff familiarization with fire and life safety policies and responsibilities, to include use of portable fire extinguishers.
2. Identify the closest two exits to your work location.
3. Identify escape routes to the nearest exits.
4. Identify where the fire alarm pull station and fire extinguishers are located.
5. Know where the outside evacuation assembly points are for the building.
6. Report to the WSU Fire Safety Compliance Officer any obstruction or limitations to the evacuation routes.
7. Evacuation maps posted throughout buildings.

Mitigation

1. Store and handle flammable, combustible, and other hazardous materials in accordance with WSU policies/procedures.
2. Maintain a tidy and clutter free work area.
3. Participate in an evacuation drill
4. Identify staff/faculty responsibilities:
   • Building Coordinator
   • WSU Staff with students – When possible, ensure students under direct faculty supervision are evacuated.
   • Employees required to stay behind and operate critical equipment prior to evacuating.
5. Report problems with fire safety systems immediately to the campus facilities unit.
6. Have a representative participate on the Safety Committee assist with planning and identifying areas of concern.

Response

Fire Emergency: Call 9-1-1

Never allow the fire to come between you and the exit.

Immediate procedure when fire, smoke or an explosion is detected:

1. Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station to alert building occupants and notify first responders.
   • Fire alarm will sound (Some building has audio instructions)
   • Buildings equipped will also have strobe light activation to indicate an active fire alarm.
2. Stay calm. Follow the P.A.S.S. procedure
   • Pull – Pull the pin.
   • Aim – Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
   • Squeeze – Squeeze the trigger slowly and evenly.
   • Sweep – Sweep the extinguisher from side to side.
3. Everyone leaves the building immediately when an alarm sounds. Notify others around you of the evacuation, but do not delay your evacuation.
   • If time allows and you can perform the action without endangering yourself:
     • Place the equipment you are operating into a safe configuration before evacuating.
     • Close doors and windows before evacuation if this can be accomplished quickly and safely. It is particularly important to close doors to contain the fire in the room/area of origin.
4. Evacuate through the nearest safest exit.
   • See Emergency Action Plans: Evacuation
5. Call 9-1-1 to report the fire alarm, after evacuating the building.
6. Do not re-enter the building until fire, police, or authorized WSU representative has given permission to do so.
7. Move to evacuation assembly area (See Evacuation or Building Emergency Plan)
8. Once safely outside, check to make sure no one is missing, and inform emergency responders/Building Coordinators if someone is unaccounted for.
9. Do not use elevators during an evacuation.
10. If all evacuation routes are blocked, remain in your room, stand by a window, and call 9-1-1 to report your location, and wait for fire department assistance. If your building is equipped with a fire escape, all other exit routes are blocked, and you cannot wait for the fire department to rescue you from the window area, proceed with caution down the fire escape.
11. Individuals with mobility or evacuation concerns: (SPPM 8.27)
    • Students, staff, and visitors who have mobility or other evacuation concerns should be assisted through hallways and down stairways.
    • Mobility restricted users should follow evacuation routes on the ground floor of a building. If not on the ground floor, Find the nearest assembly area (fire escape, stairway, or Location of Safety/Area of Refuge). Rescue personnel will search these areas first and help individuals with mobility restrictions to evacuate the building.
      • If no pre-identified area, go to an area that provides a barrier between you and the hazard (example: stairwell)
      • Communicate with responders.
      • Call 911 (Emergency);
      • Place a cloth or clothing out a window to attract attention.
      • Place a cloth or clothing over your nose and mouth to prevent smoke inhalation, if necessary
      • Notify others who are evacuating to inform responders of your location.

Recovery

1. Wait for official “All Clear” from authorized WSU or emergency services personnel before attempting to re-enter the building. If the alarm is silence that does not mean it is clear to enter the building.
2. Some events (e.g., active threat, explosions, medical emergencies) can have long-term impacts on individuals. Being able to talk about your experience in a safe, supportive environment may be helpful. If you are interested in confidential counseling and referral services, please peak with your supervisor and/or HRS about the Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Student resources are available through the Student Care Network.