Fire Alarm System (cont’d)
Emergency Evacuation
Establish and regularly practice a plan of escape in the event of fire. The following steps are recommended by the National Fire Protection Association:
| CLOSET | BEDROOM |
|
PORCH | BEDROOM | BATH | BEDROOM |
|
2nd FLOOR
KITCHEN | BEDROOM |
BACK DOOR
BEDROOM | BATH |
1st FLOOR
Steps to Safety
1.Plan on your detector or your interior and/or exterior sounders warning all occupants.
2.Determine two means of escape from each room. One path of escape should lead to the door that permits normal exit from the building. The other may be a window, should your path be unpassable. Station an escape ladder at such windows if there is a long drop to the ground.
3.Sketch a floor plan of the building. Show windows, doors, stairs and rooftops that can be used to escape. Indicate escape routes for each room. Keep these routes free from obstruction and post copies of the escape routes in every room.
BACK |
| |
FRONT | floor |
|
4.Assure that all bedroom doors are shut while you are asleep. This will prevent deadly smoke from entering while you escape.
5.Try the door. If the door is hot, check your alternate escape route. If the door is cool, open it cautiously. Be prepared to slam the door if smoke or heat rushes in.
6.Crawl in the smoke and hold your breath.
7.Escape quickly; don't panic.
8.Establish a common meeting place outdoors, away from your premises, where everyone can meet and then take steps to contact the authorities and account for those missing. Choose someone to assure that nobody returns to the premises — many die going back.
– 32 –