FIRE PROCEDURES | BEAP

Fire Procedures

Pre-Planning For A Fire

Familiarize yourself with the evacuation routes for all floors of the Tate Student Center.
Locate the nearest fire alarm pull stations and fire extinguishers from your work area and know how to operate them. If you would like additional training in the use of portable fire extinguishers, contact the Environmental Safety Office.
Be aware of your surroundings while visiting other areas in the building and take note of the nearest exits.
Know the sound of the building fire alarm system so you know when to take action if the fire alarm system is activated.
Keep office exits and hallways free of obstructions.
Maintain current phone lists of all office staff members.
Participate and engage in all planned fire drills.

What To Do In Case Of A Fire

Evacuate the building immediately. When the fire alarm is activated, evacuation is mandatory. Always assume an actual fire or emergency exists. Take personal belongings with you (identification, keys, wallet, etc.).
Do not use the elevators.
Notify the UGA Police at 911 immediately. Remain calm and give your name and the location of the fire (room number and what is burning, if known). The University Police Department will notify all appropriate agencies to respond to the emergency. University police officers will also be dispatched to the building.
Make an announcement in all occupied areas for individuals to move immediately, but without panic, to the nearest exit.
Meet with students and staff at the established outside evacuation locations.
Never re-enter the building until you are given an “all clear.”

Exiting The Building With Caution

If you are in the building when a fire alarm sounds, remain calm and proceed to the nearest exit immediately. If the door is closed in the room in which you are located, do not open the door. Feel the knob and the upper part of the door for heat.
If the knob and/or door are cool to the touch, brace yourself against the door and open it slightly. Check the conditions in the hallway. If the hallway does not contain excessive smoke and heat, proceed to the nearest exit with caution.
If the knob and/or door are hot, or even warm to the touch, do not open the door. There is a good chance that the fire is in the hallway near your room and your probability of reaching an exit is very slim. Look for another way out of the room. If you are unable to locate another exit, remain in the room. Stuff the cracks around the door with any available items (towels, cloths, rugs, etc.) to keep out as much heat and smoke as possible.
If you are trapped in a room due to flames or smoke in the hallway, let emergency responders know by calling the UGA Police to advise them of your location.

Evacuating People With Disabilities

It is recommended that any person with a disability who needs assistance evacuating and sheltering in the event of an emergency self-identify and complete an Emergency Assistance Referral Form.

Visually Impaired Persons – Announce the type of emergency, offer your arm for guidance, tell the person where you are going, and ask if further help is needed once you reach safety.
People with Hearing Limitations – Turn lights on/off to gain the person’s attention, or indicate directions with gestures or write a note with evacuation directions, and assist to safety as needed.
People Using Crutches, Canes or Walkers – Evacuate these individuals as injured persons, assist and accompany to the evacuation site if possible, or use a sturdy chair (or one with wheels) to move the person, or help carry the individual to safety.
Wheelchair Users – Check with the individual on their preference, determine if an evacuation chair is available, remove any immediate dangers, immediately advise arriving first responders of special evacuation cases.

Securing Building Entrances

The following office areas have been assigned to monitor building entrances during a fire evacuation. Do not allow people approaching the building to enter until the “all clear” has been given.

Entrance	Entrance Monitor
First Floor by the parking lot	Engagement, Leadership, and Service; CRETS
Greek Life Office, by rooms 154 & 165	Greek Life
Loading Dock	Custodial Staff
Third Floor by Student Care and Outreach	Student Care and Outreach
Third Floor by Bookstore and Plaza	UGA OneCard
Bulldog Cafe	Food Services
Third Floor by Tate Market and elevators	Food Services
Third Floor by Atrium	Information Technology, Print & Copy, Information Desk
Fourth Floor	Print & Copy, Student Veterans Resource Center
Fifth Floor	Tate Administrative Suite