Environmental Health & Safety

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) will supply and maintain fire extinguishers and suppression systems in campus facilities, excluding Housing and Dining buildings.

STAFF AND STUDENTS

All members of the University community (staff and students) are responsible for being aware of fire evacuation routes, and of the locations of fire extinguishers and fire alarms in their work or study areas.

In the event of a fire alarm or at the direction of EH&S, Security Personnel, Building Manager, all faculty, staff and students must evacuate their work or study areas and as far as possible shut down any operation or equipment which might become a hazard if unattended.

TEACHING PERSONNEL AND SUPERVISORS

Teaching Personnel, supervisors, and others who have groups of people under their direction are responsible for ensuring the orderly evacuation of these people in the event of a fire or fire alarm.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

University employees should not use fire extinguishers unless they have been formally trained in the proper operation of extinguisher use. In the event of a fire, building occupants should move away from the immediate location of the fire, pull the building fire alarm and evacuate the building.

- Let the fire department fight the fire -

There are several types of fire extinguishers available, but the best type for general University use is a multipurpose "ABC" type extinguisher. ABC type extinguishers generally use ammonium phosphate as the active chemical to extinguish a fire and are capable of putting out most common fires.

Multipurpose extinguishers are available in 2, 5 and 10 pound sizes. The larger the extinguisher the longer it takes to completely discharge. Because the discharge time for these sizes ranges from 8 to 25 seconds, a five-pound extinguisher is the minimum size that will be found throughout campus buildings.

OPEN FLAMES

The presence or use of candles, incense burners or other open flame devices is prohibited in all OSU facilities. This does not apply to devices such as Bunsen burners used in laboratories, building fireplaces that have previously been approved for use, food preparation and candles for approved applications.

Individuals wanting to use an open flame device for a specific event must obtain a permit from the Corvallis Fire Department.

PURPOSES AND LOCATIONS FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

The main reasons for having fire extinguishers readily available are to:

• Suppress a fire along an escape route so trapped persons can exit a burning structure.
• To extinguish or contain a fire to protect property (remember life safety is more important than saving property.)

The University has a legal obligation to conform to the regulations issued through the Uniform Building and Fire Codes as adopted by the State of Oregon. Fire extinguishers will primarily be placed in hallways and made accessible within 50 feet of travel. Extinguishers will not be placed inside rooms (including laboratories), unless there is a very specific risk identified by the Corvallis Fire Department.

LINKS:

OSU Administrative Policies and Procedures - Building Evacuation Planning

OSU Safety Instruction 15 Fire Safety Guide to a Safe & Quick Exit:

Laboratory fire safety

U.S. Fire Administration

Fire and Explosion safety