{"id":22551,"date":"2016-11-07T15:12:12","date_gmt":"2016-11-07T23:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/?page_id=22551"},"modified":"2025-11-12T10:38:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T18:38:26","slug":"sppm-8-23","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-8-23\/","title":{"rendered":"8.23 Fire Safety, Evacuation, and Prevention Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading wsu-font-size--xxmedium\">Safety Policies and Procedures Manual<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fire Safety, Evacuation, and Prevention Planning<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--single\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p><strong>SPPM 8.23<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>For more information contact:<\/strong><br>&nbsp; &nbsp;WSU Fire Safety and Compliance<br>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href=\"tel:509-335-7471\">509-335-7471<\/a><br>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:emergencymanagement@wsu.edu\">emergencymanagement@wsu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<hr>\n<div id=\"toc_container\">\n<h3>Contents<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"toc_list\">\n<li><a href=\"#One_0\">1.0&nbsp;&nbsp; Policy and Purpose<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Two_0\">2.0&nbsp;&nbsp; Applicability<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Three_0\">3.0&nbsp;&nbsp; Responsibility<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Four_0\">4.0&nbsp;&nbsp; Requirements of the Fire Safety Plan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Five_0\">5.0&nbsp;&nbsp; General Fire Prevention Procedures<\/a>\n<ul class=\"toc_list\">\n<li><a href=\"#Five_1\">5.1&nbsp;&nbsp; Emergency Exits<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Five_2\">5.2&nbsp;&nbsp; Fire Equipment<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Five_3\">5.3&nbsp;&nbsp; Open Flames or Electrical Appliances<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Five_4\">5.4&nbsp;&nbsp; Housekeeping Practices<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h3 id=\"One_0\">1.0&nbsp; &nbsp;Policy and Purpose<\/h3>\n<p>Planning is a key part of ensuring the safety of WSU personnel, students, volunteers, and visitors in the event of a fire.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Two_0\">2.0&nbsp; &nbsp;Applicability<\/h3>\n<p>This policy applies to all units in the WSU system.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Three_0\">3.0&nbsp; &nbsp;Responsibility<\/h3>\n<p>Each University unit is responsible for preparing a fire safety, evacuation, and prevention plan (also referred to as a fire safety plan).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The fire safety plan may be a stand-alone document or incorporated in the unit\u2019s accident prevention program and\/or emergency action plan. See also <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-4-12\/\">SPPM 4.12<\/a>&nbsp;and <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/business-policies-and-procedures-manual\/bppm-50-39\/\">UPPM 50.39<\/a>.\n<p>A copy of the plan is to be made available to unit personnel in either paper copy or electronic form when requested.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Unit supervisors review the fire safety plan with new employees as part of the day-one safety orientation (see <a href=\"http:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-2-16\/\">SPPM 2.16<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li>Unit supervisors periodically review the fire safety plan with all employees, at least annually and after any emergency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"Four_0\">4.0&nbsp; &nbsp;Requirements of the Fire Safety Plan<\/h3>\n<p>The fire safety plan is to include the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The locations of at least two emergency exits and routes from each work &nbsp;area.<\/li>\n<li>The locations of fire alarms, extinguishers, and other available emergency equipment.\n<p><strong style=\"font-size: inherit\">Note:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: inherit\"> The preferred means for reporting a fire or similar emergency requiring building evacuation is activation of a fire alarm\/pull station. The individual activating the alarm should call 911 immediately after evacuating to provide additional information to first responders. For all other emergencies, call 911.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>Locations of landmarks that could aid leaving an area when visibility is reduced by smoke.<\/li>\n<li>A specific place where work groups meet for a head count after leaving their work areas, located a minimum of 75 yards away from the building.<\/li>\n<li>Specific duty assignments (a primary and alternatives). Examples:\n<ul>\n<li>Which employee or employees are responsible for closing the fume hood sash in a laboratory;<\/li>\n<li>Which employee or employees are responsible for assisting persons with disabilities (see <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-8-27\/\">SPPM 8.27<\/a>); or<\/li>\n<li>Which employee or employees are responsible for coordinating egress from an assembly area or residence hall; and<\/li>\n<li>The alternate designated persons if the primary persons are not present or able to perform the tasks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Specific duty assignments must allow time for safe evacuation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>Procedures to account for employees and occupants after evacuation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"Five_0\">5.0&nbsp; &nbsp;General Fire Prevention Procedures<\/h3>\n<h4 id=\"Five_1\">5.1&nbsp; &nbsp; Emergency Exits<\/h4>\n<p>Do not prop open or hold open designated or fire-rated doors.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note: <\/strong>Electrical fire alarm\/detection systems often include devices that hold fire doors open. When such a system is activated, the doors automatically close. Do not obstruct self-closing doors in any manner.<\/p>\n<p>Do not lock or otherwise close a fire door or exit door in a manner that may prevent or impede exit.<\/p>\n<p>Remove all obstructions from emergency exits and corridors (see <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-8-24\/\">SPPM 8.24<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Report blocked or locked fire exits to the unit administrator, the safety committee representative, and the WSU Fire Safety and Compliance Officer, using the applicable campus hazard reporting form (see <a href=\"http:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-2-52\/\">SPPM 2.52<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>The WSU Fire Safety and Compliance Officer addresses concerns with the respective campus administration and, if necessary, the local area fire marshal.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"Five_2\">5.2&nbsp; &nbsp; Fire Equipment<\/h4>\n<p>Do not obstruct fire alarm boxes, fire hoses, fire standpipes, fire extinguishers, fire sprinkler heads, fire\/smoke detectors, or any other fire protection equipment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Items stacked in the middle of a space must be &nbsp;a minimum of 18 inches below the sprinkler head deflector. If the space is not protected by a sprinkler, items must be a minimum of 24 inches below the ceiling. Items may be stacked along the wall up to the ceiling.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"Five_3\">5.3&nbsp; &nbsp; Open Flames or Electrical Appliances<\/h4>\n<p>Do not allow open flames, electrical appliances, or other potential ignition sources to be near flammable or combustible materials.<\/p>\n<p>Open flames are permitted only in designated areas, such as laboratories, shops, or work areas subject to a hot work permit. Contact campus EHS or the WSU Fire Safety and Compliance Officer for additional information.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"Five_4\">5.4&nbsp; &nbsp; Housekeeping Practices<\/h4>\n<p>Observe good housekeeping practices. Do not allow concentrations of flammable or combustible materials to collect. Adhere to flammable and combustible material storage requirements (see SPPM <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-8-12\/\">8.12<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-8-13\/\">8.13<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-8-14\/\">8.14<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-8-15\/\">8.15<\/a>). Regularly empty wastebaskets.<\/p>\n<p>Contact campus Facilities Services, campus EHS, and the Fire Safety Compliance Officer when introducing new fire hazards or quantities of hazardous materials (e.g., flammables, oxidizers) to campus buildings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: .8rem\">_______________________<br><strong>Revisions:<\/strong>&nbsp; Mar. 2024 (Rev. <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/revisions\/sppm-revisions\/sppm-revision-142\/\">142<\/a>); Reviewed Sept. 2003; Nov. 1994 (Rev. 12*) Dec. 1989 (Rev. 7).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Safety Policies and Procedures Manual Fire Safety, Evacuation, and Prevention Planning<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1061,"featured_media":0,"parent":21864,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"wsuwp_university_location":[],"wsuwp_university_org":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22551"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1061"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22551"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22551\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69093,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22551\/revisions\/69093"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_location?post=22551"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_org","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_org?post=22551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}