Purpose

This program establishes procedures for emergency evacuation of the physically handicapped from residences, classrooms, assemblies, and otherwise occupied buildings at Rutgers, the State University.

Introduction

Rutgers University and the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code policies and procedures require that all persons in a facility evacuate that facility any time the fire alarm system is activated. Persons with disability may not be able to evacuate unassisted. Therefore, they should inform another person that assistance may be necessary during a fire alarm activation.

“Buddy System” Option

Make use of a “Buddy System.” During the first week of classes or employment, make several acquaintances with fellow students, residents, class members, or office workers. Inform them of any special assistance that may be required in the event of a fire alarm (i.e., hearing the alarm, guidance during evacuation, etc.) When the fire alarm sounds, the “Buddy” (or assistant) will make sure of the location of the person with disability, then go outside and inform emergency personnel that a person in that location needs assistance in leaving the building. Emergency personnel will then enter the building and evacuate that person.

Evacuation Options During a Fire Alarm

Use of the “Buddy System,” along with the following evacuation options, will help to assure the prompt evacuation of any person with disability.

• Horizontal Evacuation:
Move away from the area of imminent danger to a safe distance (i.e., another wing, an adjoining building, opposite end of the corridor, or outside if on the ground level).
• Vertical (Stairway) Evacuation:
Stairways can be used by those who are able to evacuate with or without assistance. Persons with sight disability may require the assistance of a sighted person. Persons who must use crutches or other devices as walking aids will need to use their own discretion, especially where several flights of stairs are concerned.
• Stay-in-Place
Unless danger is imminent, remain in a room with an exterior window and a telephone, closing the door if possible. Call Rutgers Police (obtain an outside line and dial 911) and give your name, location and reason you are calling. The dispatcher will relay the information to on-scene emergency personnel. Phone lines normally remain in service during most building emergencies. If the phone lines fail, the individual can signal from the window by waving a cloth or other visible object.
• Area of Refuge
If the person with disability cannot get far enough away form the danger by using Horizontal Evacuation, then that person should seek an Area of Refuge. Such an area should have the following: 1) telephone communication, 2) a sprinkler system, and 3) one-hour fire-rated assembly (i.e., fire-rated door, walls, ceiling). Note: Residence Hall rooms qualify as areas of refuge. You should identify an area of refuge in your building within the first weeks of your classes or employment.

Disability Guidelines

Prior planning and practicing of emergency evacuation routes are important in assuring a safe evacuation.

• Mobility Impaired (Wheelchair)
Persons using wheelchairs should Stay-in-Place, or move to an Area-of-Refuge with their assistant when the alarm sounds. The evacuation assistant should then proceed to the evacuation assembly point outside the building and tell emergency personnel the location of the person with disability. If the person with disability is alone, he/she should phone the Rutgers Police (obtain an outside line and dial 911.) He/she should give their present location and need of assistance or the Area-of-Refuge to which they are headed.
• Mobility Impaired (Non-Wheelchair)
Persons with mobility impairments, who are able to walk independently, may be able to negotiate stairs in an emergency with minor assistance. If danger is imminent, the individual should wait until the heavy traffic has cleared before attempting the stairs. If there is no immediate danger (detectable smoke, fire or unusual odor), the person with disability may choose to stay in the building, proceeding to an area of refuge, until emergency personnel arrive.
• Hearing Impaired
Most buildings on campus are equipped with fire alarm horns/strobes that sound the alarm and flash strobe lights. The strobe lights are for hearing-impaired persons. Persons with hearing impairments may not notice or hear emergency alarms and will need to be alerted of emergency situations. The Emergency Services Department in cooperation with Housing and Facilities is continuously upgrading the fire alarm systems in campus facilities to meet ADA requirements.
• Visually Impaired
Most buildings on campus are equipped with fire alarm horn/strobes that sound the alarm and flash strobe lights. The horn is for sight-impaired persons. Most people with a visual impairment will be familiar with their immediate surroundings and frequently-traveled routes. Since the emergency evacuation route is likely different from the commonly traveled route, persons who are visually impaired may need assistance in evacuating. The assistant should offer assistance to the individual with visual impairment and guide his or her through the evacuation route.

Residence Halls

Upon request from persons with hearing or sight impairments, personnel with the Department of Emergency Services will install fire alarm horns, strobe lights or other devices as necessary in their rooms.

Students with disability need to make their location known. Students with disability should register their room number and description of disability with the Hall Director. The director will keep this record confidential and make it available only to responding emergency personnel for the purpose of locating persons with disability during an emergency. To ensure the list is up-to-date, the student with disability shall notify the Hall Director anytime he/she moves to another room in the building.

Students with temporary disability should be instructed to register with the Hall Director. These students should also let the Director know when there is no longer any disability so his/her name can be removed from the record.

During a fire alarm, students with disability should stay in their rooms and call the Call Rutgers Police (obtain an outside line and dial 911.) They should inform the dispatcher of their location (building and room) and reason for calling. The dispatcher will relay the information to Campus Police, who will assist by notifying on-site emergency personnel. This procedure can be used in conjunction with the “Buddy System.”

Most Resident Hall rooms qualify as areas of refuge because:

• They are fully "sprinklered."
• 2-way communication is available via telephone.
• The doors, walls and ceiling are fire-rated.
• Most rooms have windows (for fresh air or to make a signal).

Persons with disability who are visiting the residence hall should be assisted by other residents using the “Buddy System.”

It is recommended that a floor meeting be conducted by the Resident Assistant during the early part of each semester to discuss disability concerns as well as to instruct everyone on the “Buddy System.” A representative from Department of Emergency Services shall be available to attend the meeting to answer any questions.