Fire Safety

Do not keep objects or materials on stairs or in passageways. Stairs and passageways usually function as escape routes, and their effective width must not be reduced. Their function might also be jeopardized if a fire starts in stored material. 

“Fire Resistant Doors” prevent the spread of fire and smoke. They must never be wedged or propped open. 

On Discovery of a Fire 

Any person discovering a fire should: 

• Sound the nearest alarm. 
• Dial the appropriate emergency number: 11 (internally), 22841501, or 112 as displayed on the University telephones. Be precise when giving the location and details of the fire. 
• Shout for assistance and, if safe to do so, attack the fire with the right extinguisher. 
• Leave the building quickly and calmly and do not stop to collect personal belongings. 
• If possible, close windows and doors before evacuating. 

• Report to the EH&S Officer at the designated Assembly Point. 
• DO NOT TAKE ANY RISKS. 

Any person hearing the fire alarm should: 

• Leave the building quickly and calmly and do not stop to collect personal belongings. 
• Where possible close the windows and doors. 

• Not use elevators. 
• Anyone who is disabled or unable to use the stairs should go to but not obstruct the stairway in the event of an emergency and await rescue. The fire marshal for the area should be aware of this arrangement. 
• Assemble at the Assembly Point making a note of anyone missing and inform the EH&S Officer and the Head of Facilities. Persons should not leave this area until told to do so. 
• Not re-enter the building until told to do so by the person in charge. 

Important Note: Fire alarms, emergency phones, and safety information are situated opposite the lifts on each floor. 

Means of Escape 

• Familiarize yourself with the main escape route, and with any alternative routes you may have to use if the main escape route becomes impassable. 
• Be prepared to guide students and visitors out of the building. 
• Never use lifts during an emergency. 

Fire Alarms 

The Central, Europa, Millennium, Architecture Buildings, and the library have warning bells. 

• Operate fire alarms by breaking the glass in the red contact boxes, which are usually located on main corridors/thoroughfares or by door exits. 
• On discovering a fire, do not delay in sounding the alarm: do this before giving thought to fighting the fire. 
• On hearing an alarm, leave the building without delay*. Experiments which may go “critical” should be made safe, doors should be closed (but not locked), and time should not be wasted in collecting personal items. 
• Do not enter a building whilst the fire alarm is ringing and, following evacuation, do not re-enter the building until a Senior Fire Brigade Officer or senior member of staff gives permission. 

*Note: In the Main and Millennium Buildings a one-stage alarm system is installed. On hearing the bell ringing continuously occupants must evacuate immediately. 

Calling the Fire Brigade 

• Dial 9-112 on any University Land Line and give details of the incident, full postal address, and of the emergency services which are required. 
• Inform the Reception in the building. 
• When the Fire Brigade arrives, if the Responsible Staff member has not arrived yet, advise the Senior Fire Brigade Officer of any special hazards in the building. 

Fighting a Fire 

Provided the fire is only small, and provided you will not put yourself at risk, try to put it out with a hand operated fire extinguisher. Do not, however, use more than two separate hand extinguishers on any fire. If the fire still burns after having used the second appliance, leave immediately. 

Location and Quantity of Fire Extinguishers 

Library 

• Water: 7 

• CO2: 3 

Main Building 

• Water: 15 
• CO2: 21 (2kg) 
• CO2: 5 (3kg) 

Millennium Building 

• CO2: 15 

Europa Building 

• CO2: 10 
• Dry Powder: 2 

In all the Campus premises, there are Fire Hose Reels as the Government Fire Service has indicated. 

For more detailed information refer to the Floor Leaders Manual. 

In attempting to put out a fire it is essential to use the correct extinguisher. Use of the wrong type of extinguisher can increase the hazard and increase the danger to the operator. The correct extinguisher to use in the event of fire is shown in the table below. Note that water should never be used on electrical fires or fires involving flammable liquids, and that water or carbon dioxide should never be used on fires involving burning metals. 

Table: Extinguishing agents and classes of fire to which they may be applied 

• In addition to the above, fire blankets can be used for containers of burning liquids, e.g., solvents, petrol, oil. An inert powder, e.g., sand, sodium carbonate (limestone), can be used for extinguishing burning metals. 
• All corridors and staircases should be kept clear of anything which is likely to cause fire or accident or impede progress in the event of emergency evacuation. 
• Ideally all material should be removed from corridors, especially in ‘dead end’ areas. If a filing cabinet or cupboard is located on a corridor, even on a temporary basis, it must be kept locked. 
• All vision panels in doors must be kept clear so that in the event of an emergency the occupancy of the room can be determined. 

Floor Leaders have been appointed to cover the floors of various buildings. Faculty, staff, and students must act on instructions from them.