Santa Clara University

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Procedures

In all cases where a person becomes aware of fire (or smoke of unknown and suspicious origin), the Fire Department must be notified immediately.

Steps to take:

• Activate the fire alarm at the pull station and evacuate the building.
• Notify the Fire Department by dialing 911 on any telephone. Then dial Campus Safety at x4444. Provide the following information to the emergency dispatcher:
  • Name of the building.
  • Location of the fire within the building.
  • A description of the fire and how it started (if known).
• If a minor fire appears controllable, an attempt should be made to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher. Do so only after the Fire Department has been called and the building alarm has been sounded.

In all cases, possible injury and excessive risks should be avoided. If the fire appears to be getting out of control, the area and building should be completely evacuated following the emergency evacuation procedures.

If you become trapped in a building during a fire:

• If there is window, stay close to the floor where the air will be less toxic. Shout at regular intervals to alert emergency crews of your location.
• If the door is warm, do not open it. If smoke is entering the room through cracks around the door, stuff something (preferably wet cloth material) in the cracks to slow the flow.

Fire Life Safety Equipment (on-campus)

Sprinkler System and water-flow detection devices are present in most buildings on campus. Campus Safety and the Santa Clara Fire Department monitor alarms for these devices.

Smoke detectors are provided where required. If the battery-powered detectors are making sounds (a chirping sound at approximately one-minute intervals), it should be reported to Campus Safety x4444.

Manually activated pull stations are located at exit points of buildings that have fire alarm systems.

If a sprinkler head, heat detector, or pull station is activated, an alarm will sound throughout the building. Some smoke detectors will also activate the building alarm. Monitoring of these devices is performed by Campus Safety.

Elevators equipped with a “Fire Alarm Elevator Recall System” will activate when fire alarm activation occurs. The elevator car will come to a halt, and travel to the ground floor level where it will shut down with the doors locked open. When this occurs, only emergency personnel using an override key can use the elevator. Do not attempt to use the elevators to evacuate the building.

Emergency lighting is provided in most buildings. Illuminated exit signs are provided throughout the buildings. The lighting will activate automatically in a power failure and remain operational for a minimum of 20 minutes.

Many buildings (including all residence halls) are equipped with an emergency power generator that will activate when the electrical power is lost. The generator will supply power to the emergency lighting system as long as necessary to accommodate evacuation and Fire Department rescue and suppression activities.

Make Your Home Fire Safe

• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
• If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
• Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
• Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
• Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
• Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.

Plan Your Escape Routes

• Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
• Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

Escape Safely

• Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
• If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
• If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
• If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.