Fire Safety Self-Study Module

1. Fire Safety Self-Study Module University Behavioral Health Care Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety

2. Purpose This self-study module is designed to communicate important fire safety information for the prevention of fires and for response to fire emergencies at University Behavioral Health Care. Annual fire safety training is mandatory for all employees. This can be accomplished through: • review of department fire safety and emergency evacuation procedures, the department/unit-specific fire plan, and staff's assigned roles and specific responsibilities in the fire plan by the area Supervisor at staff meetings, or • review of department fire safety and emergency evacuation procedures, the department/unit-specific fire plan, and staff's assigned roles and specific responsibilities in the fire plan at least annually by the area Supervisor during individual supervision meetings, or • completion of this self-study module For further information, contact the UBHC Safety Coordinator at (732) 235-4184.

3. Instructions 1. Read through the Fire Safety Self-Study Module. 2. Complete the Post-Test. When you successfully complete the post-test (90% correct), print out and complete the department-specific fire safety checklist. Reference your building’s Fire Safety and Emergency Evacuation Plan, or ask your supervisor if there is any additional information that you need. 3. Review the department-specific fire safety checklist with your supervisor. 4. Once you have successfully completed the post-test and department-specific fire safety checklist, be sure to enter this training on your Continuing Education Report as “Fire Safety Self-Study Module” with the entry in the Total Hours column not to exceed 1.0.

4. Fire Safety Procedures RESPONSIBILITY It is the responsibility of each employee of University Behavioral Health Care to become familiar with, and comply with, the fire safety regulations of the facility. It is the responsibility of each employee to immediately report any fire hazard or unsafe practice to the area supervisor, to the department responsible for corrective action (either personally or through the area representative), and to the Safety Coordinator or Environment of Care. It is everyone's responsibility to maintain a safe work and patient-care environment. Fire code violations can cause a fire, contribute to the spread of fire, or delay your evacuation. Most violations are to recognize and easily preventable. If you see a fire code violation, take action to correct the problem. You can make the difference!

5. Fire Safety Procedures MEANS OF EGRESS • Corridors, stairways, aisles, exit doors, and outside access to safe areas are to be kept clear and unobstructed at all times, so that if you need to, you can evacuate without delay. • Furniture, equipment, supplies, clothing or trash must not be placed or stored in corridors or stairwells. It is everyone's responsibility to keep exits clear! • Fire doors prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and heat. DO NOT BLOCK OR FASTEN THEM OPEN. Never place any devices such as chairs, chocks, or other types of wedging devices to hold open exit or fire doors. Stairwell doors must remain closed at all times, unless there is an automatic holdback that is connected to the fire alarm system.

6. Fire Safety Procedures FIRE EQUIPMENT • Fire alarm pull boxes, fire extinguishers, hose connections and other installed emergency response equipment must be unobstructed and clearly visible at all times. • Report any equipment that is obstructed. COMBUSTIBLES/STORAGE • Rubbish, waste paper, sweepings, paper boxes, etc. must not be allowed to accumulate. These items are to be placed in approved fire-resistant containers and removed from area and the building daily. • Storage in storage rooms or closets is to be neat and orderly at all times. • A minimum of 24” clearance must be maintained between the top of stored items and the ceiling.

7. Fire Safety Procedures NO SMOKING POLICY Smoking is prohibited in all UBHC buildings and vehicles. The only outdoor areas in which smoking is permitted are identified with the sign "Designated Smoking Area". Everyone is responsible for maintaining a smoke-free environment. All supervisory faculty and staff members will ensure that the individuals they supervise, including students or volunteers assigned to their areas, comply with this policy. Please see the Rutgers University Smoking Policy #60.1.10 in the University Policy Library

8. Fire Safety Procedures ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Electrical appliances or equipment, as indicated, whether Rutgers-owned or personal (staff- or patient-owned), brought into any UBHC facility must be inspected and tagged prior to being placed into service or use. All electrical appliances or equipment brought into a UBHC facility must be brand-new, in the original manufacturer’s box or packaging, and must be “Underwriters Laboratories” (UL) listed. In the Piscataway Main Building, A & B Wings, contact Environment of Care to inspect the equipment; in all other locations, ask your supervisor.

9. Fire Safety Procedures The following devices are NOT permitted: • Electrical extension cords • Personally-owned portable space heaters • Halogen torchiere floor lamps • Toasters and toaster ovens (outside of approved kitchen areas), hot plates • Cooking utensils utilizing gas, electric, or sterno heat (outside of designated food service preparation areas). Use of sternos (or other open flame or open heating element devices) brought in by outside caterers is not allowable. • Multi-plug adapters • Multiple outlet strips (other than “UL” listed power strips with built in surge or circuit breaker protection , which may be used only for computers and related devices; the use of such strips for high amperage devices is not permitted). A power strip may not be plugged into another power strip or into an extension cord; it must be plugged directly into a wall outlet. • The use of electrical extension cords in lieu of fixed wiring is prohibited. .

10. Fire Safety Procedures • Portable space heating devices are prohibited in all areas. • Exception: in a non-sleeping staff or employee area only, under extreme circumstances, it may be recommended that a portable space heating device be used on a temporary basis. • All space heating devices used will be provided by your department and must meet specific criteria. • Personally owned space heating devices are never permitted to be used in UBHC buildings

11. Fire Safety Procedures MICROWAVE OVENS Microwave ovens must be attended at all times when in use! • Follow manufacturer’s instructions to determine proper cooking time. • NO aluminum foil, or any kind of metal, should be put into a microwave oven. • Do not walk away from the oven (even for a short time). Stay with your warming food until it is done. • If the food catches fire, keep the door closed. Pull the electrical plug to cut off the power, if you can do so safely. Follow the fire response (RACE) procedure. • Do not operate the oven empty. • Use of microwave ovens for making popcorn is not permitted in the Piscataway Main Building (outside of the Cafeteria); in all other buildings, use of microwave ovens for making popcorn is not permitted outside of supervised, approved kitchen areas.

12. Fire Safety Procedures • Halogen torchiere floor lamps are prohibited an all areas. • Electrical equipment with open heat producing elements, outside of approved kitchen areas, is not permitted. • Keep electrical cords clear of passageways. Do not extend electrical cords through windows, doorways (including cords on sound masking devices) or under carpeting. • Candles, incense, portable cooking fuel (e.g., sterno), and other objects which produce open flames or burning are strictly prohibited in all UBHC facilities. (Not applicable to cooking equipment used in designated Food Service preparation areas.)

13. Fire Safety Procedures All Eyes on Fire Safety Always report unsafe conditions to the area supervisor and the UBHC Safety Coordinator or Environment of Care

14. Rutgers University Emergency Action Plan • Be sure to become familiar with the University Emergency Action Plan, located at http://emergency.rutgers.edu

15. Fire Response Procedures: RACE IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE OR SMOKE CONDITION: Remember"RACE" R = Rescue REMOVE patients, physically challenged occupants, or any other person from immediate danger, if you can do so safely. If you discover a person endangered by fire, call aloud for immediate aid and activation of an alarm. A = Alarm ACTIVATE the building fire alarm and alert everyone in the immediate area. Pull the fire alarm regardless of the magnitude of the fire or smoke condition. If the pull box has an alarm cover, the cover must be lifted and the building fire alarm must then be pulled. If you do not have fire alarm pull boxes in your building, immediately call 911 and alert everyone in your area. C = ContainCLOSE all doors to confine the fire or smoke to the area in which the fire started. Close all windows, whenever possible. Never open a door to a closed area in which a fire/smoke condition exists in an effort to assess the situation or fight a fire. E = Evacuate EVACUATE the building using the nearest exit.

16. Fire Response Procedures REPORT the incident to the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD). If you are on campus: Reportthe incident to the RUPD from a safe location to provide specific details (e.g., exact location, type of fire) from a University phone: Obtain an outside line, then dial 9-1-1. If you are at any off campus site: After notifying the local fire department (911), report the emergency condition to the Rutgers Police Non-Emergency Number, 732-932-7211 - ask to speak to the shift supervisor.

17. Fire Response Procedures IF YOU HEAR THE FIRE ALARM AND/OR SEE FLASHING LIGHTS: • Never assume that it is a false alarm! • Pay attention to announcements from Fire Monitors and follow any specific instructions of Emergency Responders. • Do not use telephones for other than emergency purposes. • Turn off all electric and gas equipment, wherever possible. • CLOSE all doors and windows in your area after everyone is out, if possible. • Proceed to the nearest stairwell. Do not use the elevator. • Walk at a normal pace. Stay to the right side of the stairway, keeping the left side clear for Emergency Responders. • Keep fire doors in stairways closed. Do not block fire doors, stairways or exits. • Always EVACUATE the building immediately, using the nearest exit or in accordance with department/unit procedures—even if you know that it is a false alarm or fire drill. • Once you enter a stairwell always stay there until you exit down to the street; do not re-enter the building to exit. • Congregate and stay in the designated safe area 50 feet or more, as appropriate, from building: Do not block the roadway! • Do not re-enter the building until an "ALL CLEAR" is announced.

18. Fire Response Procedures:Assisted Evacuation for Persons with Disabilities Q:Who is considered a Person with a Disability? A: A person with a disability is an individual whose permanent or temporary condition limits ambulation in a safe manner without assistance in the event of an emergency. Impairments may include those of mobility, vision, hearing, speech or cognition. Q: What is the response procedure for Persons with Disabilities? A: One response buddy will evacuate and report exact location of the person with a disability to the responding fire department and will stay available to provide any relevant information. The other response buddy will accompany the person with a disability to a pre-determined safe waiting area near the stairwell and await further instruction. Q:Who will help a person with a disability? A: Persons with disabilities will be assigned two volunteers as response buddies, prior to any emergency procedure or drill. These volunteers are designated by the supervisor of the person with a disability.

19. Should You Use a Fire Extinguisher? If you discover a small fire, should you try to put it out with a fire extinguisher or should you just close the door and proceed with evacuation? You may decide to extinguish the fire, but only after you have considered the key safety points on the following page....

20. Only use a fire extinguisher if you have been trained and are confident about using it. The fire is small and contained (i.e., waste paper basket). Do not attempt to fight a large or spreading fire! Only use a fire extinguisher if you have a clear path out to a safe area. Before you use the fire extinguisher, make sure that the fire alarm has been pulled and fire department is on its way! You know the location of the extinguishers in your work area; if the fire extinguisher cabinets in your area are locked, make sure that you have a key. Before you use the extinguisher, check: the extinguisher for any physical damage; the locking pin for tampering; and the pressure gauge to make sure that it is fully charged (needle in the green zone), if applicable. Make sure that you have the appropriate extinguisher for the type of fire that you are facing. For example, it is dangerous to use a water extinguisher on a fire involving flammable liquids or energized electrical equipment. Fire Extinguishers: Key Points for your Safety

21. Types of Fire Extinguishers

22. How to Operate a Fire Extinguisher: PASS To operate an extinguisher, REMEMBER: “PASS”: PULL Pull the pin: This unlocks the operating lever and allows you to discharge the extinguisher. AIM Aim low: Point the extinguisher nozzle/horn hose at the base of the fire. SQUEEZESqueeze the handle: This discharges the extinguishing agent. Releasing the lever will stop the discharge. Remember that uninterruptedapplication is critical to be effective. SWEEPSweep the nozzle from side to side: Keep the nozzle aimed at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. If the fire does not go out, immediately get out of the building. Protect yourself at all times: • Stay at safe distance (e.g., 8-10 feet from the fire while using an ABC extinguisher) • Never block your escape route. • Stay low. Avoid breathing heated smoke and fumes. • If the fire cannot be controlled, get out immediately to safety! • The fire department must inspect the fire site, • even if you think that you have extinguished the fire!

23. Fire Extinguisher Inspections Facilities, the landlord’s representative, or an outside vendor will inspect extinguishers and record the date and initials of the inspector on the extinguisher tag at least once a month and will check for the following items: If you see that any of these items are a problem between monthly inspections, report it immediately. Is the pressure gauge showing that the extinguisher is fully charged? (the needle should be in the green zone) Is the pull pin and tamper seal intact? Is the nameplate with operating instructions legible and facing outward? Is the extinguisher in good condition and showing no signs of physical damage, corrosion, or leakage? Is the extinguisher in its designated place, clearly visible, and not blocked by storage, equipment, or other objects that could interfere with access during an emergency? Fire extinguishers are inspected more thoroughly and maintained annuallyby a fire equipment professional.

24. For Further Information, Contact Sharon Stern, UBHC Safety Coordinator Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety (REHS) sstern@ca.rutgers.edu 732-235-4184 (direct) 848-445-2550 (REHS main office) Andy Coyne, Director, Environment of Care, UBHC coyne@rutgers.edu 732-235-3493 Go to Next Page

25. Post-Test You have completed the Fire Safety Education Training Module! • Please go back to the webpage where you accessed the Fire Safety module to open the Post-Test.  Once you have completed the Post-Test you can check your answers with the answer key. • When you have successfully completed the Post-Test (90% correct), complete the department-specific fire safety checklist. Reference your building’s Fire Safety and Emergency Evacuation Plan, or ask your supervisor if there is any additional information that you need. • Review the department-specific fire safety checklist with your supervisor. • Once you have successfully completed the post-test and department-specific fire safety checklist, be sure to enter this training in your Continuing Education Record as “Fire Safety Self-Study Module” with the entry in the Total Hours column not to exceed 1.0.