CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY POLICY

UAF Policy

Introduction12.00.00

Prevention 12.01.00

Cooking and Kitchen Fire Safety12.01.01

Electrical Fire Safety12.01.02

Fire Safety12.01.03

Fire Safety in Campus labs12.01.04

Fire Safety in Residence Hall rooms12.01.05

Fire Watch12.01.06

Fireplaces and Open (out-door) Burning12.01.07

Flammable/combustible Liquid Storage12.01.08

Holiday Decoration12.01.09

Hot Work Operations12.01.10

Portable Heaters12.01.11

Storage on Campus12.01.12

Engineering12.02.00

Automatic and Fixed Fire Protection Systems12.02.01

Code Review and Space Modifications12.02.02

Construction Areas12.02.03

Fire Doors12.02.04

Supporting Standards and References12.02.05

Exiting12.03.00

Exit Routes12.03.01

Fire Alarms12.03.02

Safe Refuge During An Emergency12.03.03

Intervention12.04.00

Fire Department Access12.04.01

Fire Extinguishers12.04.02

Reporting an Emergency – 911 12.04.03

12.00.01

FIRE SAFETY ON CAMPUS

UAF's Fire Safety Policy:

This Philosophy follows the University of Alaska Fairbanks overall Safety and Risk Management Philosophy that accidents can be prevented and all levels of the university must be committed to and participates in achieving this ideal. At the University of Alaska Fairbanks, fire and the risks and effects of fire will be addressed by the commitment to the following:

  1. Prevention. It is common knowledge that prevention is always the best and most effective cure. With that in mind, UAF emphasizes daily practices and procedures to limit the risk of occurrence and/or lessen the severity of an occurrence to those identified risks to all staff, students and visitors of UAF.
  1. Engineering including AUTOMATIC detection and suppression. As with all things relating to humans and/or the natural world some occurrence of hazardous nature will happen. UAF has had a massive effort to bring its facilities up to current design and code to limit the impact of such an event. I.e.: fire sprinklers, earthquake resistant construction, emergency lighting, and lab ventilation systems.
  1. Exit. Life safety is always a higher priority than property. The people of this University and community are it's most important (and expensive) asset! Evacuation of the immediate area (safe refuge) and/or building may be necessary. Move life risk to area of safe refuge from the danger or exit.
  1. Manual intervention and suppression only as a very last resort to contain the incident. To be performed by fully equipped and trained resources in sufficient quantity for safety and effectiveness.

This policy, emphasizing prevention, individual responsibility, and combined with the latest hazard reduction technology provides the University of Alaska Fairbanks community with a high level of safety from injury or loss from a fire.

Responsibility

Each person has an individual responsibility to maintain a fire safe environment throughout the UAF campus. Each faculty, staff, employee or student is responsible for keeping their classrooms, labs, offices, residence hall rooms or operating areas orderly and free of potential sources of ignition. Supervisors must ensure that employees understand and follow the guidance provided in this manual (UAF Safety). They should also notify the University Fire Marshal of any operational changes that alter the fire risk in their area so that protection can be adjusted accordingly. All UAF employees must perform their work in a way that minimizes the possibility of starting a fire.

12.01.00

PREVENTION

12.01.01

COOKING AND KITCHEN FIRE SAFETY

I. Responsibility

All University personnel are responsible to practice fire safety when cooking in campus kitchens. This includes campus residences, residence halls as well as the small kitchens located in many break rooms throughout campus.

II. Approved Locations

Cooking is permitted in authorized kitchens or break rooms. Cooking is not permitted in individual offices, labs, or assembly rooms. Coffee pots, tea pots or any other means of heating liquids is not authorized in offices, labs or assembly areas. Hot plate style candle warmers and coffee mug heaters not authorized in offices, labs or residence halls. If you have any question as to whether or not you have an authorized break room, contact the University Fire Marshal at 474-6303 or 474- 6938.

III. In Order To Prevent Kitchen And Cooking Fires We Offer The Following Guidelines:

  • DO NOT LEAVE cooking unattended. Turn off the burner if you must leave the kitchen, even if it's only for a few minutes. NOTE: Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of emergency responses to HessVillage and SAC.
  • PUT A LID on pots or pans to smother fires that flare up while cooking.
  • NEVER THROW WATER OR FLOUR in a burning pot or pan. Water will spread the flames, and flour could actually explode.
  • TURN OFF THE HEAT and leave the door closed for oven fires.
  • SHORTEN OR REMOVE CURTAINS near or over your stove. A simple stove fire may turn into a house fire from burning curtains.
  • Keep all combustible materials such as papers, wrappers and boxes away from the stovetop.

IV. Microwave Burn Prevention

  • Microwaves can cause scalding burns if used improperly.
  • Read and follow the product manufacturer's directions. Do not place inappropriate items inside microwave ovens. They are not used to dry clothing and other similar items.
  • After taking food out of the microwave, remove the wrapper away from

your face to avoid escaping steam.

  • Hot liquids poured into disposable bottles may cause them to burst.
  • Food microwaved may feel cool to the touch on the surface, only to be

scalding hot in the middle.

  • Be careful when heating liquids. Containers may only feel warm, rather

than hot, but the liquid inside by be scalding hot.

  • Do not use microwaves for unapproved uses, i.e. heating laboratory materials.

V. Clothing Fires

  • Do not wear clothing with long, loose sleeves while cooking.
  • Use pins or elastic bands to hold up rolled back sleeves while cooking.
  • Long sleeves are more likely to catch fire and may also overturn

pots and cause scalding burns.

12.01.02

ELECTRICAL FIRE SAFETY

I. Responsibility

University supervisors and/or supervising faculty are to insure that the work or

learning/research area is free from electrical hazards.

II. Injury Causes

  • Electricity may create a hazard and cause injury or damage in any one of three ways:
  1. When a person becomes part of an electrical circuit. (This may result in electric shock.)
  2. When elements of an electric circuit, which are unprotected, are subjected to electrical overload and become hot. (This may result in afire.)
  3. When arcing or sparking occurs, generally due to the "jumping" of electricity from one conductor to another. This may occur during the making and breaking of a contact, as in operating switches or discharging static electricity. (This may result in fire or explosion if arcing takes place in an atmosphere containing an explosive mixture of a flammable substance.)

III. Training

  • Supervisors and faculty are responsible for ensuring that employees and students are trained to safely use electrical equipment. This training should be part of the employee’s safety orientation.
  • All personnel using electrical equipment are to know the locations of secondary electrical panels (see below) for the work or learning/research area.

IV. Circuits In Buildings

Address concerns regarding electrical circuits in University buildings to the

Physical Plant Electrical Shop; telephone 474-7000.

Access to Main Distribution Panels

Main distribution panels control electricity after it enters the building and before

It goes to branch circuit panels. All main distribution panels are located in

locked electrical closets or mechanical rooms.

Only trained Physical Plant Maintenance personnel and / or approved electrical contractors may access University main distribution electrical panels. Only authorized maintenance personnel may access rooms containing main distribution panels.

Access to Branch Circuit Panels

Departmental personnel may be required to access branch circuit breaker panel boards in order to turn off electricity in an emergency or to reset branch circuits. If a

branch circuit requires setting more than once, notify Physical Plant electricians;

telephone 474- 7000.

V. Inspection

As part of the periodic self-inspection, unit administrators and supervisors are

to check the work or learning/research area for electrical hazards.

Criteria

  • Ensure that all electrical equipment is properly grounded. Use 3-prong plugs in 3-prong outlets. Do not bend or remove the grounding prong of a plug in order to use it in an ungrounded outlet.
  • Use grounded or double-insulated portable power tools.
  • Do not use adapter cubes. If additional outlets are required, use a breaker-protected multiple outlet strip.
  • Replace frayed and worn electrical cords and cables.
  • Do not use temporary wiring or extension cords as a substitute for permanent wiring.
  • Flexible extension cords may be used only on a temporary basis.
  • Extension cords must be heavy duty and at least 16 gauge, 3-wire/3-prong.
  • Do not run extension cords under carpeting or through walls, ceilings, floors, doorways, windows, or other locations where they could sustain damage.
  • Do not use electrical equipment for purposes other than the intended use.
  • Label electrical panels and keep them free of obstructions. A clear space of 30” must be maintained around every electrical panel. No storage is permitted within 36” in front of an electrical panel.
  • Use ground fault circuit interrupters when utilizing electric power in damp areas.

VI. Electrical Hazards

Supervisors/Supervising Faculty

Immediately remove a hazardous or malfunctioning electrical equipment item

From service. Prevent use by installing barriers, removing the power source,

removing the equipment, or locking the item out.

Warning Tags

Notify employees and/or students that the machine is not to be operated. Tag

the equipment item as "Out of Service." Include the following on each tag: date

of removal from service, description of the problem, and name of the reporting

party.

Correction

Obtain the services of qualified electricians to correct electrical malfunctions.

Employees/Students

Report hazards directly to the supervisor

Immediately discontinue the use of hazardous electrical tools or appliances.

Wait until the equipment item has been declared safe to use by a supervisor or

qualified electrician.

Do not use electrical equipment that has been determined to be unsafe.

12.01.03

FIRE SAFETY

Each person has an individual responsibility to maintain a fire safe environment throughout the UAF campus. Each faculty, staff, employee or student is responsible for keeping their classrooms, labs, offices, residence hall rooms or operating areas orderly and free of potential sources of ignition. Supervisors must ensure that employees understand and follow the guidance provided in this manual. They should also notify the University Fire Marshal of any operational changes that alter the fire risk in their area so that protection can be adjusted accordingly. All UAF employees must perform their work in a way that minimizes the possibility of starting a fire.

For fire safety information or assistance in any subject not covered in this manual contact the University Fire Marshal at 474-6303 or 474-6938.

12.01.04

FIRE SAFETY IN CAMPUS LABS

Fire Prevention

* Be aware of ignition sources in lab area (open flames, heat, electrical equipment).

* Purchase and store flammable reagents in the smallest quantities

available.

* Store flammable liquids that require refrigeration in explosion-proof

refrigerators.

* Store flammable liquids in appropriate safety cabinets and/or safety cans.

* Do not store incompatible reagents together (e.g., acids with flammables). Lists of incompatible reagents can be found in several source books (for example, Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards).

* Do not store ethers or conjugated dienes for extended periods of time as explosive peroxides could form. Date ethers when received and opened.

* Make sure that all electrical cords are in good condition. All electrical outlets should be grounded and should accommodate a 3-pronged plug. Never remove the grounding prong or use an adapter to bypass the grounding on an electrical cord. Extension cords are for short term use only. Permanent installation of extension cords is not permitted.

* Remain out of the area of a fire or personal injury unless it is your

responsibility to meet the emergency responders. Meet responders from a safe location.

* Be aware of the condition of fire extinguishers. Report any broken seals, damage, low gauge pressure or improper mounting to the Physical Plant at 474-7000. If the seal has been broken, assume that the fire extinguisher has been used and must be recharged. (NOTE: Do not use fire extinguishers unless you are trained and feel confident to do so.) Report ALL fires by phoning 911.

* Automatic fire sprinklers must remain clear and unblocked to function

properly. Do not store materials within 18" below the sprinkler head.

Housekeeping

* Eliminate safety hazards by maintaining laboratory work areas in a good state of order.

* Maintain at least two clear passages to laboratory exits.

* Always keep tables, fume hoods, floors, aisles and desks clear of

unnecessary material. Fume hoods are not chemical storage cabinets.

* Wipe down bench tops and other laboratory surfaces after each use with an appropriate cleaning or disinfecting agent.

* All equipment should be inspected before use.

* Use borosilicate glassware for laboratory work. If dichromate/sulfuric acid glass cleaner is used in your laboratory, make sure that cleaning is confined to the fume hood as toxic chromyl chlorides are released from the dichromate/sulfuric acid solution. Better yet, switch to a non-chromate cleaning solution. (i.e., No

Chromix?) which will also minimize hazardous waste generation.

* If experiments must be left unattended, place a note next to

experimental apparatus indicating the chemicals involved, your name and a number where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

* Keep the laboratory floor dry at all times. Immediately attend to

spills of chemicals or water, and notify other lab workers of potential slipping hazards.

* All machinery under repair or adjustment should be properly tagged

prior to servicing. All service work should be done by authorized personnel.

* Sink traps and floor drains should be flushed and filled with water on a regular basis to prevent the escape of sewer gases or the release of chemical odors in the event of an emergency. Drains that will not be routinely used may be "topped" with 20 - 30 ml of mineral oil to prevent evaporation of water in the trap.

* All compressed gas cylinders should be securely chained or clamped to a rack or fixed stationary piece of lab furniture. Mark empty cylinders, but use all safety precautions as if the cylinder were full.

Emergency Procedures

* In the event of an emergency, remember one number: 911. By calling this number, all necessary emergency response departments can then be alerted to your needs.

* Be familiar with the emergency evacuation plan.

* Be sure the names and phone numbers of lab personnel to be contacted in an emergency are posted outside of the door.

* Be familiar with the location, use and limitations of the following safety devices:

* safety shower * spill cleanup materials

* eye wash station * first aid kit

* protective respiratory gear * fire alarm

* fume hood * fire extinguisher

* Clean up all small spills immediately. If a large chemical spill occurs, call the campus emergency phone number, 911. If the spill poses a hazard to individuals outside of the laboratory, follow the laboratory's emergency standard operating procedure. Stop current reactions or equipment if possible, activate the building fire alarm, exit the building, call 911 to report the emergency and stand by at a

safe distance to provide information to emergency response personnel.

* If volatile, flammable, or toxic materials spill, shut off flames and spark-producing equipment at once and evacuate.

* In the event of fire or explosion, activate the building fire alarm, exit the building, call 911 to report the emergency and standby in a safe location to meet emergency responders.

* Do not cover windows of laboratory doors, except for special experimental requirements. This allows passers-by to notice if anyone is in need of emergency assistance.

* Maintain a clear path to all safety equipment at all times.

12.01.05

FIRE SAFETY IN RESIDENCE HALL ROOMS

  1. RESPONSIBILITY:

It is the responsibility of each student and their visitors to this campus to maintain a fire safe room. The greatest numbers of fire fatalities occur in sleeping areas. By following some simple fire safety guidelines, resident hall occupants can have a fire safe school year.

  1. GUIDELINES

Keep a clear and unobstructed exit path to your door. Clothing, books and

boxes etc. can obstruct an exit way and prevent someone from getting out of their room in a safe manner.

Extension cords are for temporary use. Electric appliance should be plugged directly into an outlet or if additional outlets are needed, use a plug strip with a breaker. See Electrical Fire Safety Policy.

No flammable or combustible liquids are allowed in residence halls. This

Includes lighter fluid, gasoline, motor oil etc.

No propane or other flammable gases are permitted in residence halls. This includes propane tanks on Bar-b-ques. These must be stored outside.

Smoke detectors cannot be removed or tampered with for any reason. Removing or tampering with a detector or any other life safety equipment can result in criminal charges as well as numerous fines.

Seasonal decorations must be non-combustible or fire retardant treated.

No decorations will be displayed in such a manner as to block or impede

the ability of a fire safety device to operate i.e. pull boxes, exit lights,

sprinkler heads etc.

No papers or combustibles are allowed inside the diffusers on the overhead lights.

Excessive storage is not permitted inside the rooms. The sprinkler systems in the residence halls are designed to handle fires in rooms with standard furnishings, not in rooms with excessive storage.

The use of candles or any open flame appliance is prohibited in residence halls.

Additional lighting is permitted as long as the lights are UL or FM listed.

Lights must be plugged directly into a wall outlet. No “torch” style halogen lamps are allowed unless they are equipped with the protective

device on the top of the lamp.

Hot plates and cooking is not permitted in the residence hall rooms. Some

low wattage microwaves may be allowed for heating up food. These must be approved by Residence Life prior to use in the individual rooms.