Upon discovering a fire, you must immediately:
A. Rescue – Remove anyone from the immediate area. This means the room of origin or immediate vicinity of the fire. This is not an evacuation of the premises.
B. Confine – Close the door to the room of origin. This will act to contain the fire and smoke to that one room for a long period of time.
C. Alert
1. Call the Dallas Fire Department at 911 and give the following information:
- Nature of the emergency: Fire, Medical, etc.
- Your name
- Complete street address: 400 S. Record Street, Dallas, Texas 75202
- Building Name: 400 Record Building
- Floor number and suite number
- Closest street intersection: Market Street and Wood Street
- Call back number (do not stay on the phone if you are in danger)
2. Call the building management office at 214-744-9790 and give them the following information:
- Your name
- Nature of the problem: Fire, Medical, etc.
- Floor number
- Suite number
- Telephone number you are calling from.
D. Fight – If the fire is small and confined to one object (such as a trash can), locate the appropriate fire extinguisher for fighting that type of fire and use it. However, never attempt to fight a fire unless: 1) you know how to operate the fire extinguisher equipment; 2) you have the appropriate type of extinguisher; 3) the fire is small; 4) you have access to an exit if you fail to put the fire out.
- Hand held extinguishers are located on each floor inside the stairwells
- How to operate the extinguishers: pull the pin, aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep from side to side, aiming at the base of the fire
No elevators are to be used for emergency evacuation of personnel, unless ordered by the fire department or building management.
I. Fire Safety Volunteer Responsibilities
A. Fire Warden Responsibilities
The Fire Warden shall direct, enforce and have full charge of the evacuation of all personnel in his/her assigned suite during any emergency. Fire Wardens will be assisted in their duties by designated Assistant Fire Wardens or others that may be required or designated.
In addition, the Fire Warden should be constantly assured of the following as it concerns his/her assigned area:
- Each suite will have one or several persons responsible for checking out their particular areas in case of fire or bomb threat, and then they will report their findings to the Fire Warden.
- Check all aisles, corridors and exit doors and keep free from any type of obstruction.
- All fire extinguishers, fire exit signs, hoses and other safety appliances are to be ready for use. Any defects should be reported to the 400 Record Building Management Office.
- Be aware of all duties of the people who assist you.
- In the event of fire, execute the fire safety plan and:
- Determine the location of the fire, call 911; notify the Building Management Office at 214-744-9790.
- Notify all suite occupants of the fire.
- Direct the evacuation of the suite to the designated point.
- Follow the instructions of the fire department.
- Prevent the use of elevators unless otherwise instructed by the fire department.
- Select the safest stairway to use for evacuation.
B. Assistant Fire Wardens Responsibilities
The Assistant Fire Warden will assist the Fire Warden in the areas that he/she needs assistance. In cases where the Fire Wardens are not present, the Assistant Fire Warden will assume the Fire Warden’s responsibilities.
- Locate the EXIT doors. Never prop doors open, keeping them closed prevents smoke from entering.
- Direct traffic in the exits and on the stairway.
- Keep traffic moving steadily to avoid panic.
- After the evacuation, doors should be closed.
C. Fire Alarm System
- How alarm system is activated:
- Manual pull stations
- Smoke detectors/heat detectors
- Water flow/tamper alarms on the sprinkler system
- What is activated in an alarm condition/examples:
- If it is the “fire” floor — speakers (sirens) and strobes throughout the floor, along with the floors above and below will all be activated. The speakers will make a “WOOOP, WOOOP” sound.
- Elevators are recalled to the ground floor.
- Turns off heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC) on the fire floors.
- Automatically unlocks all stairwell doors in the building to the permit re-entry onto other floors if smoke is encountered in the stairwell.
II. Fire Detection Emergency Procedure
General Procedures
DO
- Follow Floor Warden’s instructions.
- Shut all doors to the fire area.
- Use portable fire extinguisher, if possible.
- Proceed to stairwell.
- Evacuate the fire area/your floor — see Building or Floor Evacuation Procedure section below.
- Gather at the designated area.
DON'T
- Unless it is a small fire, do not attempt to extinguish fire before calling the Fire Department or the Management Office.
- Use elevators.
- Panic.
- Return to the building until the building representative or DFD has given the “ALL CLEAR.”
Smoke – Odor Detected
DO
- Call the Management Office immediately at 214-744-9790.
DON'T
- Pull fire alarm station if you only smell smoke — Engineering and Security Officers will investigate the odor immediately.
Smoke – Visible
DO
- Call Fire Department at 911.
- Call Management Office at 214-744-9790.
- Pull alarm.
- Proceed to stairwell.
- Evacuate the fire area/your floor
- Gather at designated area.
DON'T
III. Building or Floor Evacuation Procedure
General Procedure
It is the responsibility of each employee to know who their company emergency Fire Warden is as well as their alternates. They should also be familiar with their respective evacuation plans.
All decisions to evacuate the Building will be made by the Fire Safety Director or in his absence by a member of the Management Staff until the Fire Department arrives and takes over all operations.
DO
- Follow the instructions of your individual company Fire Warden or assistant.
- Close the doors of your office as you leave but do not lock.
- Fire Wardens check each office, restrooms, storage areas etc.
- Form an evacuation line — two abreast.
- Use the Stairwells to evacuate the Building. Stay to the right.
- Keep talking to a minimum.
- Use hand rails in the enclosed stairwells.
- Listen for instructions and follow them.
- Keep calm.
- Pay special attention to disabled and injured persons — see Building or Floor Disabled Evacuation Procedure below.
- Evacuate to the ground floor and exit out of the building.
- If stairwell is blocked, then enter a safe hallway and proceed to the other stairwell located in the building.
- If both stairwells are blocked by fire or smoke, return to an office or room and close the doors. Call the Fire Department (911), and building management (214-744-9790) and notify them of your location. Seal doorway openings and air conditioning vents with towels, clothing, etc. Stay low, below the smoke and
- use a wet towel to cover your mouth and nose. Break windows only as a last resort.
- Once evacuated from the fire area/your floor, verify that all your employees are accounted for by meeting in a designated area.
- Once all employees are accounted for the Fire Warden for each suite is to notify Building Management.
DON'T
- Go to the elevators — they will not respond.
- Once you have left your area, do not return for coats, purses, etc.
- In stairwell, watch out for Building personnel or Fire Department coming up stairwell to handle emergency.
- Be ready to merge with other people evacuating the Building.
- Run or create a panic.
- Return to the office until "all clear” announcement is given by the Fire Department or Building authority.
IV. Building or Floor Disabled Evacuation Procedures
Each Tenant should insure that the names of all Disabled Individuals are listed with the Building Safety Director in the Management Office.
For the Physically & Visually Disabled
- A "Buddy" or "Buddies" should be assigned to assist each disabled individual in the event of an emergency.
- The "Buddy" should insure that each disabled individual is moved safely to the Building stairwell.
- Ask the person the best way to help them.
- If necessary, gain assistance from a co-worker and move the disabled individual down the stairs by using carrying techniques.
- The "Buddy" should stay with the disabled individual until emergency personnel arrive.
Lists with the names of all Disabled individuals at the 400 Record Building are kept in the Fire Control Room and the 400 Record Building Management Office for the use by Fire Department personnel.
V. General Fire Prevention Safety Rules
You can help prevent fire in Your Office. Here are some simple rules to follow that will prevent fires at home and at work.
DON'T
- Empty ashtrays into wastebaskets
- Smoke or light matches near flammable materials.
- Overload the electrical outlets.
- Plug high-voltage items into electrical outlets.
- Use extension cords.
- Obstruct aisles, hallways, or Fire Exit doors.
- Allow office machines and other type of machinery to operate unattended.
- Burn candles in your work area.
- Store items closer than 18” from the ceiling and sprinkler heads in the ceiling.
DO
- Maintain good housekeeping habits within immediate work area.
- Store flammable materials and liquids in closed metal cabinets. Only minimum amount should be kept in area and handle only in approved safety cans.
- Obey the Building smoking rules and signs.
- Check the electric cords on all office equipment periodically.
- Report all fire hazards or violations to the Management Office at 214-744-9790 immediately.
- Know the location of the Building fire extinguishers, the fire alarm pull stations, and locations of fire exits on your floor.
- Provide additional fire extinguishers if specific areas contain hazardous materials/operations.