On the pages that follow you will find information on a variety of subjects pertaining to life at the University of California's Washington Center and living in Washington DC. The goal is to inform you about what to expect while living and working in Washington and alleviate some of the concerns that you might have.
Fire Safety
Procedures
In the event of a fire or other
hazard, you should be familiar with evacuation exits. Be prepared to use an
alternative exit route if the normal exit route is blocked.
On the back of each apartment front
door is the fire evacuation route for your apartment.
The UC Washington Center’s
fire alarm system has a horizontal notification system. This means that the
alarm will sound on the floor where there is a problem and the floor directly
above and directly below the source of the alarm. As soon as you hear the alarm
on your floor or are notified by the building speaker system that you should
evacuate, please follow the procedures listed on this page.
If you hear an alarm on your floor, do the following as quickly and
in as orderly a manner as possible:
- Leave
your apartment immediately, locking the door behind you. Be sure to carry your
keys with you.
- Carry a moistened towel with you in case you
encounter smoke in a stairwell.
- Use the stairwells to evacuate the
building. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR!
- When you exit the building, you
will be directed to the evacuation location.
- Do not attempt to
re-enter the building until the alarm has been turned off and a Residential Life
staff member has given the signal to re-enter.
- In the event that
you need additional assistance leaving the building, please inform the
Residential Life staff upon check-in.
In the event that you discover a fire, do the
following:
- Pull the nearest fire
alarm.
- Do not attempt to fight the fire.
- Leave the
building immediately.
- Report all details to the Residential Life
staff member in front of the building.
In the event of a utility failure (gas leak, ventilation, plumbing,
electrical), do the following:
- Report the
incident to the Security Desk.
- If the fire alarm sounds as a result
of a utility failure, follow the steps outlined above in the fire
evacuation procedures.
If you should become trapped
inside the building, do the following:
- Dial
9-1-1 and notify the dispatcher of your exact location.
- Place your
hand on the door and if it feels hot then do not open the door. Wet a blanket or
similar item and place under the door opening (while the door is closed). This
will help keep the toxic smoke from entering the room and give firefighters a
chance to rescue you.
- Hang a bright colored item or piece of
clothing up at your window. This will attract the firefighters attention to your
apartment.
Fire alarms, smoke detectors and
sprinkler systems are all connected to a panel at the Security Desk. A Security
Officer will respond to every emergency light on the panel.
Smoke Detectors
Residential fires are the most common types
in the United States, and they claim more lives than any other type of fire.
Smoke and fire detection systems operate in all apartments. The primary purpose
of these detectors is to wake you in the event of a fire and to notify our main
fire panel of an emergency. All bedrooms and living areas have smoke detectors.
If the smoke detector in your apartment goes off for any reason, please notify
the Residential Life staff or call the Security Desk at (202)
974-6233.
Sprinklers
One of the built-in fire protection systems
is the Fire Sprinkler System. The System consists of piping and sprinkler heads
with water under pressure. In the event of a fire, the sprinkler heads are
designed to operate when the temperature reaches approximately 135 degrees F.
Care must be taken not to cause the sprinkler heads to go off unnecessarily by
hitting the heads, throwing objects at or hanging items from the sprinklers.
This will activate the sprinklers and possibly cause an enormous amount of water
damage, as well as summoning the fire department. The resident responsible for
the damage to the sprinkler will be required to pay for all damages associated
with the incident. Residents will be held responsible for behavior of their
guests and will be held accountable for their actions (see Guest
Policy).
Fire Alarms/Drills
For your protection, do not remain in the
Center while a fire alarm is sounding. Usually a check will be made of all
apartments by the Residential Life staff upon being given the all clear. The
alarm will not be turned off until the Residential Life staff or Fire Department
has given an all clear. The fire evacuation plan is located on every floor and
the backs of the apartment front door. The Residential Life staff will be
conducting unannounced quarterly fire drills. Failure to evacuate the building
immediately upon the sound of an alarm or to follow specific evacuation and
safety procedures will result in disciplinary action. It is a misdemeanor to
tamper with or interfere with fire alarm pull stations, smoke and heat
detectors, fire extinguishers, hoses and “EXIT” signs or lights. Violators are
subject to legal prosecution.
BBQ Grills
According to Washington DC law and University of
California, Washington Center policy, BBQ grills are not allowed on the 4th
floor terrace at any time for any reason.
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