Fire and Building Evacuation

Fire and building evacuation overview

Evacuate if a fire alarm sounds or if there is fire, smoke, or burning odor is present. If you discover a fire, explosion, or smoke in a building, activate the nearest fire alarm and proceed to evacuate using the following evacuation procedures.

Warn others as you exit. Notify your campus IUPD at 911. Always call from a safe location. Do not use elevators unless directed to do so by authorized emergency personnel.

Evacuate the building immediately when the fire alarm sounds. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University

Evacuation procedures

Turn off equipment.
Secure hazardous operations if possible.
If you are in a laboratory equipped with a fume hood and/or a biosafety cabinet, close hoods and sashes.
Notify others on your way out.
Close doors behind the last person out.
Walk quickly to the nearest safe exit or follow instructions of floor warden(s).
Do not use elevators unless authorized emergency personnel directs you to do so.
Report any missing or trapped persons to authorized emergency personnel.
Move away from the building and go to your evacuation meeting site. Do not re-enter the building until authorized emergency personnel gives the “all clear” signal.

Go to the Place of Refuge or the nearest area where there are no hazards.

Notify IUPD by calling 911 from a campus phone or from a non-campus phone.
Signal out the window to emergency responders if possible.
Remain calm; responders will arrive.

Persons who may require assistance evacuating a building must be assisted by those trained to do so, if possible. Persons in wheelchairs should not use the elevator unless instructed to do so by the fire department.

These individuals must be protected in a safe place while awaiting rescue by the fire department and should relocate to a designated Place of Refuge. If a Place of Refuge is not designated, individuals are encouraged to seek safety in an interior room near a stairwell. If an alternate stairwell is available it should be used in this event. Persons with disabilities as well as others who plan to assist them should be familiar with the building’s Emergency Action Plan.

The location of anyone who remains in a building should be relayed to responding emergency personnel.

In case of fire: What you need to know

When a fire alarm sounds, Indiana law requires complete evacuation of the building, even if it occurs during a course lecture or you know it’s a fire drill.

Emergency contacts

Find information for your campus.

If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. If there is a telephone in the room, notify IUPD on your phone and inform them of your situation.

Report all fires, even those which have been extinguished, to IUPD on your campus.

If the fire is small enough to be extinguished and you have had extinguisher training, use a portable fire extinguisher to put out the fire. If you have any doubts about the size of the fire or your ability to extinguish it, do not try. Evacuate!

Never attempt to put out a fire yourself until someone has notified the authorities. Report potential hazards to the appropriate Fire Protection or Campus Facility Services on your campus.

Fire and Building Evacuation