Emergency Pre-Fire Planning
Each unit of the Building Emergency Organization has individual responsibilities in implementing the Building Emergency Management Plan:
FIRE SAFETY DIRECTOR
Responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the Building Emergency Management Plan, in cooperation with the Seattle Fire Department. Primarily responsible for coordinating and implementing an effective evacuation of the Building’s Tenants in case of a serious fire, bomb threat, or other emergency situations which require evacuation. Also responsible for the preparation, monitoring, and implementation (with the approval and assistance of the Fire Department) of a training and certification program for all members of the Building Emergency Organization, fire plan(s) or action and the related records.
ASSISTANT FIRE SAFETY DIRECTOR
Responsible for the effective implementation of the fire evacuation plans and for the actions taken by the Building’s Fire Brigade prior to the arrival of the Fire Department. Upon arrival of the Fire Department, the Assistant Fire Safety Director shall assist the responsible Fire Department Supervisor in briefing as to the seriousness, location, and type of fire, while explaining actions taken prior to the arrival of the Fire Department.
SECURITY
Responsible for the initial notification and activation of the Building Emergency Management Plan.
FIRE BRIGADE
Responsible for limited suppression, search and rescue activities, where such activities can be conducted under conditions of relative safety to themselves and the tenant/occupants. Fire Brigade responsibilities shall involve monitoring and/or controlling activities pertinent to the Building systems’ components that may affect the emergency situation.
FLOOR WARDENS
Responsible for following the orders of the Fire Safety Director (or liaison) to implement an orderly evacuation plan upon notification. Responsible for overseeing occupant instruction and training in emergency procedures, determining emergency actions, coordinating floor activities, carrying out the directions of the Fire Department or Fire Safety Director and ensuring that occupants under their supervision are safely evacuated according to the Building Emergency Management Plan.
Each Tenant in the building appoints Floor Wardens who are trained by the Property Management Staff in emergency procedures. Those persons or their alternates (Assistant Floor Wardens) should be present during regular business hours while the building is occupied. These Wardens must be familiar with the building evacuation procedures, floor layouts, and location and use of any safety equipment. Each floor should have at least two (2) Floor Wardens and two (2) Assistant Floor Wardens.
ASSISTANT FLOOR WARDENS
Responsible for assisting the Floor Warden as needed and shall perform in the absence of the Floor Warden.
STAIRWELL MONITORS (One per stairwell)
Function is to be the first at the stairwell to coordinate the orderly evacuation of tenants/occupants into the stairwell for relocation to a Safe Refuge Area (see definition below).
AIDES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Responsible for assisting disabled persons during an evacuation. Aides should be properly trained to carry individuals to a Safe Refuge Area.DEFINITION:
A Safe Refuge Area is an area within and without the Building that, in an emergency, can be utilized for greater protection.
- Within the Building: Four or more floors from the fire floor;
- Outside the Building: an area a safe distance from the building, predetermined by the Floor Warden, under the direction of the Property Management.
Upon arrival at the Safe Refuge Area, a head count should immediately be taken by each Warden to ascertain if all persons have safely relocated.
Life Safety System Components and Functions
The life safety systems at Fourth & Madison include a complete fire detection and alarm system, evacuation system, fire sprinkler system and an Emergency Command Center equipped to monitor all of these functions.
- DETECTION DEVICES
Detection devices are located throughout the building. They include smoke detectors, heat detectors, and water flow detectors, which are monitored twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. An activated device results in the following:
- Speakers emit a loud “whooping” sound and visual strobes activate.
- An automated announcement provides relocation instructions via the public address system.
- Smoke dampers automatically close to isolate the fire zone.
- Air handling units shut down to minimize the spread of smoke.
- All stairwells are pressurized to keep fire and smoke from spreading.
- Elevators recall to the lobby level or a predetermined level if the alarm is on the lobby level.
- The Fire Department is automatically dispatched.
- ALARM/COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Activation of any smoke/heat detector or sprinkler flow switch will automatically sound an audible alarm, sound the public address system relocation announcement and activate the visual strobe lights. At the same time, an alarm will also be relayed to the Emergency Control Center and the Security Command Center, as well as directly to the Seattle Fire Department.
- FIREMEN’S TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION
This system allows the Fire Department to communicate from the life safety center to each elevator and throughout the stairwells.
Location of Life Safety Equipment
- ALARM SPEAKERS
Speakers are located throughout public areas and within tenant space on each floor. They are used to broadcast alarms and emergency information.
- VISUAL STROBES
Visual strobes are located on each floor throughout public and tenant areas.
- SMOKE DETECTORS
Smoke detectors are located in:
Elevator lobbies Mechanical and electrical rooms on each floor
Air handling units on each floor
Additional tenant areas as dictated by the Seattle Fire Code
- FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Fire Extinguishers are located adjacent to the stairwells on each floor, as well as throughout your office space. Familiarize yourself with the specific location of extinguishers located in your area and on your floor.
If You Discover a Fire
Upon discovery of a fire, remain calm and:
- Remove anyone in immediate danger.
- Confine the fire by closing doors.
- Call 911. Relay the following information:
- Your exact locating including Building, Floor, Suite, or area.
- What is burning, i.e., electrical, liquids, paper or wood, etc.
- Severity or size of fire.
- Your name and telephone number
- Wait on the line until the Fire Department hangs up.
- Call the Management Office at 206.262.4100 and give all information on the fire situation.
- Notify your Floor Warden and others on your floor.
- Evacuate the area.
- Close doors behind you, but do not lock them.
Upon being informed of a fire, remain calm and:
Follow instructions given by the Fire Safety Director and/or your Floor Wardens. Evaluate the situation and coordinate actions as needed in keeping with your floor’s emergency procedures.
Note: Fire extinguishers are located throughout each floor; however, do not attempt to fight a fire that appears to be out of control.