In any evacuation, do not leave the designated meeting area after exiting the facility. Your absence will be interpreted that you are still in the danger area and one or more persons may risk their lives looking for you.
General evacuations
In the event of general evacuations, all building occupants must leave the facility. Emergency Evacuation maps are marked for ease of exit. Building occupants should gather outside at a clearly designated location and await further instructions. Occupants will be advised by University Police or Environmental Health and Safety when it is safe to return. Whenever possible, turn off all power and gas lines and close all doors before evacuating.
Local Evacuations
Local Evacuations do not always require exit from the building. Occupants of a room should gather outside the entrance and await further directions. Do not block the hallway and avoid hindering any emergency operations in progress.
When To Evacuate
Fire of Any Nature: Activate the nearest pull station and proceed with general evacuation of building. Dial 911 immediately.
- Chemical spill: Since small quantities of chemicals are typically handled in the lab, spills are likely to be relatively small in volume, and may not require evacuation. Spills of fuming acids, or volatile organics such as concentrated hydrochloric may require local evacuation with re-entry when spill is properly contained and cleaned up.
- Gas Leak from Cylinders or Gas Line: The scale of evacuation will depend on the seriousness of leak and nature of gas. If the gas is toxic, reactive, corrosive, or highly flammable, general evacuation should proceed. Less reactive gases may dictate local evacuation. In the event of any gas leak, notify the lab manager and follow laboratory standard operating procedures.
- Power Interruption: If fume hood blowers are not functioning due to power interruption, open windows, make sure switches to fume hoods are left ON, fully pull down sash, and immediately proceed with local evacuation. Close lab entrance door. Do not enter room after power is restored; wait until notified by University Police or Environmental Health and Safety that it is safe to return.
