Fire

EMERGENCIES - FIRE

OVERVIEW

Addresses staff readiness for fire emergencies and fire emergency procedures.

FORMS USED

None

CODES, REGULATIONS, AND DISTRICT POLICIES RELATED TO THIS PROCEDURE

Governing Board Policy #804, Civil Defense and Disaster Preparedness

PRIMARY STAKEHOLDERS

The Department of Public Safety

Risk Management

Evening Division and Night Administrators

COMMENTS

Fire can be caused by a number of things - lightning, earthquake, airplane or automobile accidents, arson, electrical malfunctions, gas leaks, bombs, etc. This procedure deals with administrative preparedness for fire emergencies as well as procedures for actual fire with damage to people, equipment, or facilities.

Some of the GCCCD fire alarm systems ring into the Public Safety Central Office and some do not. Public Safety also needs to know the precise details relating to the fire emergency. For these reasons, always call the Department of Public Safety after setting off a fire alarm.

Public Safety will call 911 and will escort emergency response units to the site. Public Safety is open 24 hours and can be reached on campus by dialing "#1" from public telephones equipped with speed dialing. If "911" is utilized and Public Safety is not notified, emergency response units may not know how to find the emergency site.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Fire Alarm systems exist at all three sites, with varying degrees of obsolescence:

Cuyamaca College has three separate systems which have remote panels in the "C" building. Most of the campus is equipped with external pull stations. Newer facilities such as the Physical Education complex and the Museum have duct detectors and strobe lighting as well as pull stations.

At Grossmont College, the Information Systems computer room has a new gas alarm system that rings into the El Cajon Fire Department. The remaining Grossmont College fire alarm systems tie into the Public Safety Central Office at Grossmont College. This system provides duct detectors in mechanical rooms only. for the rest of the campus, pull stations are located on the outside of classrooms and administrative buildings.

STAFF READINESS/PREPARATION FOR FIRE

STEP

TASK PERFORMED BY

DESCRIPTION

1	Risk Management	Maintain Fire Safety Program Establish and maintain a fire safety program which encompasses safety procedures, evacuation procedures, installation and regular inspection of fire fighting equipment, installation of an effective fire alarm system, and regular fire drills.

2	Risk Management	Oversee Fire Extinguisher Program Ensure that fire extinguishers are mounted or placed in clearly visible locations. Include all locations where potential hazards may exist. In areas where a specific hazard potential exists, such as copy machines and chemicals, place the extinguisher within 40 feet of the potential hazard. Locate one extinguisher within each workshop area and large office area. Place extinguishers no higher than five feet about the floor. Check fire extinguishers monthly. Verify that: Extinguishers are properly mounted/placed and posted Extinguishers are of the proper type to extinguish the potential hazards near that particular device -- Type A - paper products only -- Type B - flammable liquids -- Type C - electrical fire -- Type ABC - all purpose The device is properly charged and that the pressure indicator does not indicate over or under pressure The safety pin or other safety device is properly installed The inspection tag is affixed and that the device is not overdue for inspection by a certified inspector Extinguisher box door latches operate properly Ensure that annual inspections are conducted by a certified inspector. Annual certified inspections are documented on an inspection tag attached to the extinguisher.

3	Risk Management	Oversee Automatic Fire Suppression Systems Perform semi-annual certification of the Ansul dry chemical systems in the food services areas. Maintain dry chemical system labels and ensure that the discharge ports are unobstructed.

4	Risk Management	Inspect Water Hose Cabinets Perform monthly inspections of the water hose cabinets to ensure hose integrity, unobstructed nozzle, and easy cabinet latch handling.

5	Risk Management and Maintenance	Inspect Water Sprinkler Systems Perform annual inspections of the water sprinkler systems in conjunction with the local fire department. Schedule and obtain five year certification of the water sprinkler systems with a certified fire suppression company.

6	All Employees and Students	Maintain Preparedness Be aware of how to safely use a fire extinguisher, as well as when to decide to use one. Most extinguishers are designed to extinguish only small fires. Large fires should be abandoned and left to the expertise of professional firefighters. Know the sequence of steps for using a fire extinguisher: Remove the locking pin or other safety device from the extinguisher Point the extinguisher agent release hose device at the base of the fire Squeeze the release handle causing the chemical agent to release the retardant Never replace a used extinguisher on its mounting until it has been recertified by an authorized inspector. Lay it on its side to indicate it has been used and tear the tag lengthwise to indicate the extinguisher needs recharging Call or have someone call Public Safety as soon as possible and notify them of the fire.
7	Risk Management	Conduct Fire Drills Conduct annual fire drills at all District sites. These drills are designed to test the fire alarm equipment and to inspect the procedures used by staff and students in reacting to fire alarms. Notify the Fire Department in advance that a drill will be conducted. When a fire drill is conducted, follow all procedures for an actual fire emergency with the exception of the actual notification of personnel from emergency agencies. The Fire Department and Police Department may participate in fire drills upon request.

8	Public Safety, Risk Management	Investigate Unauthorized Use of Fire Alarms Fire alarms should only be utilized for actual fires, fire drills, or emergency evacuations. Intentionally causing a false alarm violates several State laws which may constitute a felony resulting in fine and/or imprisonment.

9	Public Safety, Risk Management	Enforce NO SMOKING Areas No-smoking areas have been established in certain areas to reduce the potential of fire.

FIRE EMERGENCIES

STEP	TASK PERFORMED BY	DESCRIPTION
1	Faculty, Staff and Students	Sound the Alarm Sound the alarm by voice or by mechanical means. Special care must be taken during the issuing of alarms to anticipate potential panic by facility occupants.

2	Senior on-site Administrator or Faculty Member	Direct Evacuation and Call Public Safety Direct all occupants out of the building. Inspect all rooms and offices to ensue that all occupants have evacuated. Call Public Safety (open 24 hrs): Grossmont: Ext. 7654 Cuyamaca: Ext. 4456 "#1" from college speed dialing public phones

3	Faculty, Staff and Students	Evacuate Ensure that all doors are closed prior to leaving. This will assist in slowing the spread of the fire. Leave interior lights on unless otherwise directed by fire department personnel. Attempts to extinguish fires shall be done exercising good judgment. Most extinguishers are designed to extinguish only small fires. Large fires should be abandoned and left to the expertise of professional firefighters. If a decision is made to use a fire extinguisher: Remove the locking pin or other safety device from the extinguisher Point the extinguisher agent release hose device at the base of the fire Squeeze the release handle causing the chemical agent to release the retardant Never replace a used extinguisher o its mounting until it has been recertified by an authorized inspector. Lay it on its side to indicate it has been used and tear the tag lengthwise to indicate the extinguisher needs recharging.

4	Senior on-site Administrator or Faculty	Verify Complete Evacuation As soon as possible, determine if any persons are missing. give this information to the Fire Department or Police Department when they arrive. In the event that the fire involves chemicals, ensure this information is relayed to the Fire Department upon initial contact. If the "regrouping" area is downwind of a chemical fire, move all evacuees to an alternate location which places them upwind of the fire.

5	Public Safety	Call the Fire Department Advise the Fire Department of the fire location, the type of facility, the type of fire, if known (chemical, electrical, paper) and if there are any known injuries. Also advise as to where occupants were evacuated to.

6	Public Safety	Manage Overall Emergency Actions Dispatch Security Officers to the scene. Provide area security as required. Provide traffic control as required. If the specifics of the emergency warrant, inform the Public Information Office and the senior administrator for the site.