CHAPTER EIGHT: CAMPUS POLICE AND SAFETY

SECTION THREE

CAMPUS FIRE DRILL

I. OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this policy is to prepare building occupants for exiting a building during a fire or related building emergency. The policy will also serve to identify building related problems associated with evacuation.

II. AUTHORITY:

Fire drills are required to be performed annually in all high-hazard occupancy buildings by Chapter 633.085, Florida State Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code Chapter 4A-3, State Fire Marshal Rules and Regulations.

Annual fire drills are required in all high-hazard occupancy buildings owned or leased by the State. High-hazard occupancy buildings are defined as any building or structure:

That contains combustible or explosive matter or flammable conditions dangerous to the safety of life or property; or

In which persons receive educational instruction; or

In which persons reside, excluding private dwellings; or

Containing three or more floors.

III. POLICY:

It shall be the policy of Florida Gulf Coast University to:

Conduct annual fire drills in all buildings, which meet the high-hazard occupancy definition;

Require all occupants of these buildings, at the time of the drill, to participate in the drill; and

Adhere to the procedures outlined in herein.

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Campus Police and Safety Department

Shall schedule, coordinate, and supervise each fire drill and maintain appropriate records. They shall: assist with the evacuation of building occupants; conduct a brief search of the building to ascertain that all occupants have vacated the premises; conduct training for Building Safety Coordinators; and act as liaison between the University, the State Fire Marshal, and the San Carlos Fire District.

B. Physical Plant Division

Shall maintain and operate the fire alarm system. They shall: post evacuation route maps in all public access areas (e.g. classrooms, library, offices); activate the system in the building in which the fire drill is conducted; reset the system upon completion of the fire drill; note any deficiencies and make appropriate repairs.

C. Deans and Directors

Shall notify building occupants under their supervision of the fire drill policy and procedure. They shall also notify the Campus Police and Safety Department of any dates and/or times that are critical where the disruption of classes and/or research is impractical.

D. Building Safety Coordinators

Building Safety Coordinators shall: conduct training of building occupants; assist in conducting the fire drill; and identify problems occurring during the drill. Building Safety Coordinators shall be chosen from the permanent staff within a College or Department. Consideration should be given to those employees who are most familiar with the building or area and who are most familiar with the other occupants.

E. Building Occupants

Building occupants shall vacant the building in an orderly fashion when the fire alarm signal a given and not return until the "all clear" signal is given by the Police Department. All occupants shall follow the "Fire Alarm Guidelines" as established by the University.

V. PROCEDURE

A. Drills shall be conducted during the second and third weeks of the fall and spring terms. No prior notification shall be given to any specific building as to a specific date and time.

B. Drills shall be conducted at times, which minimally impact classes and/or activities, yet are not so scheduled, that the effectiveness of the drill is compromised.

C. The Campus Police and Safety Department shall notify Physical Plant, Deans and Directors at the beginning of both fall and spring terms of the forthcoming drills. At that time the Police and Safety Department should be notified of any possible conflicting events and adjust the drill schedule accordingly.

D. The activation of the fire alarm system shall be preceded by radio notification to all Police and Safety and Physical Plant personnel that a drill is being conducted.

E. Members of the Police and Safety Department, the Physical Plant and Building Safety Coordinators shall conduct a brief search to determine compliance with these provisions and the functionality of the equipment. Persons found in the building shall be given a copy of the University’s Fire Alarm Guidelines and their names given to the appropriate supervisor for further action, if warranted.

F. Records of fire drills, to include date, time, building number, deficiencies noted and results, shall be maintained by the Campus Police and Safety Department.

© FGCU 1998 Administrative Services. This is an official FGCU web page.
Florida Gulf Coast University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Effective Date: 04/01/98
Revised Date: 04/01/98
Contact: bharris@fgcu.edu