Should it be necessary to relocate during an emergency, it will be conducted in accordance with the Building Emergency Plan under the direction of the Fire Department and/or the Fire Safety Director. Tenant notification will be handled by the Property Management Office. The authority to order an evacuation because of fire, explosion or earthquake lies with the Fire Safety Director, Fire Department or any civil authority. The responsibility to order an evacuation after receiving a bomb threat resides with the senior officer in attendance at each tenant space.
Building occupants can prepare for an emergency evacuation by familiarizing themselves with the exact location of stairwells and emergency exits in the building, and by periodically reviewing the information provided in this manual.
Should an evacuation be required, you are encouraged to:
- Keep calm and walk quickly toward the nearest stairwell.
- Close doors behind you as you leave to slow the spread of fire to other rooms. Do not lock doors as you leave.
- Feel the surface of every door with the back of your hand prior to opening it. If it is hot, proceed to an alternate exit.
- Do not return for personal belongings.
- Use the stairwells, not the elevators. Use the stairwell closest to your area. Remember to always keep to the outside so the Fire Department can use the stairwells to reach the fire floor. See below for stairwell safety instructions.
- Follow the emergency instructions of your Floor Warden(s), who can be identified by their vests. Each floor and/or tenant will have at least two (2) Floor Wardens.
- If smoke is present, stay low and crawl against the wall. The clearest air is near the floor.
- If you relocate outside the building, it is important to remember to stay far enough away to avoid falling glass.
- Follow all instructions given by the Fire Department and Floor Wardens.
- While it is advisable to move downward in a building evacuation (particularly during a fire), there are times when it may be necessary or more desirable to go to an upper floor. Appropriate instructions will be relayed via the public address system should an alternate relocation be required.
Evacuating During a Fire Alarm
If it becomes necessary to relocate due to a fire emergency, the instructions listed below should be followed:
- Upon alarm (audible or visual) immediately prepare to relocate. It is important to take essential personal belongings (keys, wallet/purse, and coat), as you will not be permitted to return to your work area until the alarm has been resolved.
- Follow instructions given by your Floor Warden, who can be identified by a Floor Warden vest. You may be asked to search the restrooms or offices or to help disabled people from the area.
- Locate your nearest stairwell, proceed down four (4) floors and re-enter the building. If alarms are present on a relocation floor, continue down four (4) more floors. Keep calm, stay to the right of the stairwell and walk quickly. Do not run. Once outside, move away from the building and reassemble at your pre-determined location. If you are disabled, await help inside the stairwells.
- Close all doors behind you as you leave to slow the spread of fire to other rooms. Do not lock any doors as you depart the building because the Fire Department may need access.
- Fee surfaces of doors with the back of your hand prior to opening. If it is hot, do not open; proceed to an alternate exit.
- Do not use the elevators. If a smoke detector in the elevator lobby is activated, elevators will automatically return to their base level and open. If you are in an elevator when an alarm sounds, do not push the emergency stop button. The elevator doors will open on the lobby floor.
- If smoke is present, stay low. The clearest air is nearest the floor. If you are trapped by smoke or fire, remain calm. Put towels or articles of clothing under the doors. If you are near a perimeter window, signal for help by placing a sign in the window.
- If you are outside the building during a fire, stay far enough away to allow the Fire Department the space they need to work and to avoid possible falling glass.
The following building systems will respond automatically to an alarm:
- An audible siren, announcement and strobe lights will be activated on the alarm floor, one floor above, and one floor below.
- Air Handling Units on the floor will shut down.
- The Seattle Fire Department will be dispatched.
- Security and Engineers will be dispatched.