Building Emergency Plan Information

Building Emergency Plans have been installed in classrooms, labs, conference rooms, departmental main offices and residence halls as part of the University's Emergency Management Plan. The plans are conspicuously located; show emergency exit routes, fire extinguisher locations, and fire alarm pull stations; and are updated as necessary. At the beginning of each semester everyone should review the floor plans in order to direct occupants to the nearest safe exit in case of an actual alarm.

The plans also indicate:

• Designated Assembly Area - The Designated Assembly Area is the location where building occupants should assemble during a building evacuation.  Once the evacuated building is considered safe to enter Campus Security or emergency responders will notify occupants to re-enter the facility.
• Area of Safe Rescue for the Disabled - These areas are constructed to provide a higher degree of protection during fires and are checked by the Fire Department upon arrival. Those with mobility impairments should be assisted to the nearest Area of Safe Rescue (usually a stairwell or a room near an elevator) in the building. Doors should be closed and Fire Department notified immediately upon their arrival of disabled person(s) in the safe area.
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) location - An AED is a small, lightweight device used to assess a person's heart rhythm. If necessary, it administers an electric shock to restore normal rhythm in victims of sudden cardiac arrest.  The AED uses voice prompts, lights, and text messages to guide the rescuer through procedures.
• Severe Weather Safe Area - Designed as safe areas during tornadoes and other severe weather, these locations include interior hallways and rooms away from windows. The large brick buildings on this University campus are of reinforced construction and should provide adequate shelter. Avoid upper level rooms, auditoriums and gymnasiums with large, poorly supported roofs.
• Shelter-in-Place Area - These locations are safe areas when hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere. This would most likely occur during a train derailment, semi-truck tanker, or chemical plant accidentally releasing hazardous chemicals into the environment. Should this occur a "shelter-in place" warning will be provided by an emergency notification system. These areas are interior rooms that are above ground level because some chemicals are heavier than air.  Other precautionary measures needing to take place are doors and windows being shut and ventilation systems turned off.