The Cullowhee Fire Department responds to fire calls on campus. University personnel are to support the Fire Department’s efforts by promptly evacuating the building, advising on specific hazards, managing building utilities and maintaining safe access to the site.
Fire Alarms
Alarms may be activated by pull boxes, smoke detectors, heat detectors, sprinklers or electrical faults. University personnel are to evacuate the building during fire alarms even when there is no immediate evidence of fire.
- The Fire Department is to proceed to the building Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) and determine from the FACP the zone or device number within the building where the alarm originated.
- After locating the area the Fire Department will investigate the indicated area checking for abnormal conditions such as smoke, dusts, paint mists, cooking fumes, vandalism, broken pull boxes, activated smoke detectors etc.
- If no evidence of fire is encountered, the signal or alarm silence switch on the FACP will be activated. This will silence the horns/bells but lock-in the lamps which indicate the device causing the alarm. This will also give notice to occupants that they may re-enter the building.
- For trouble shooting purposes responding campus Police Officer should obtain and record the location of the exact device causing the alarm and all suspected causes.
- The Fire Department will restore the alarm system as follows:
Pull boxes: Reset the box with a key or tool.
Smoke detectors: These will automatically reset when the FACP is reset unless smoke is still in the detector.
Heat detectors: Cannot be reset, must be replaced, notify Facilities Management.
Sprinklers: Shut off water, notify Facilities Management.
Activate the FACP Reset Switch to restore the system. If the system does not reset, wait 5 minutes and try again.
Use of Fire Extinguishers
Employees who have attended annual training in fire extinguisher use may operate Fire extinguishers all others must evacuate the building.
In general, fire extinguishers should not be relied upon to manage fires that are developing rapidly or in cases where fire spread may block your exit. Use of fire extinguishers is not a substitute for calling the fire department.
The types of fires one might encounter are classified A, B, C and D, as defined in the following:
- Class A fires are fires in ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics.
- Class B fires are fires involving flammable liquids.
- Class C fires are fires which involve energized electrical equipment where the electrical non-conductivity of the extinguishing media is of importance. (When electrical equipment is de-energized, extinguishers for Class A or B fires may be used safely.
- Class D fires are fires in combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, and potassium.
The types of fires an extinguisher is effective on is indicated by one or more of the letters A, B, and C appearing on the extinguisher label. Class D fires require hand application of dry sand, graphite powder or a sodium chloride base powder. The fire department must be consulted on all metal fires.
Fire Extinguisher Operation
- Pull the ring pin in the handle of the extinguisher. This usually requires about 15 lb. pressure to break the seal, a slight twisting motion will help.
- Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.
- Sweep the discharge from side to side. In using some extinguishers on flammable liquids the fire may flare up momentarily when the agent is initially applied.
- Soak the fire thoroughly. Many deep-seated fires in cushions, trash piles, etc., and flammable liquids fires may reignite if not completely extinguished.
If possible, "Carbon Dioxide" extinguishers on fires in or around sensitive electronic equipment. These agents do not leave a residue after use.
Confinement of the Fire
Fire which cannot be put out with a fire extinguisher should be confined as much as possible by closing all doors to the room where the fire is.
Fire Hose
Operation of fire hoses requires special training, use of which should be left to the fire department.