Tenant Handbook


Download PDF

Fire Prevention

If you discover a fire, activate the pull station located in the elevator lobby or by the stairwell doors. Get to a safe location and report the fire to the San Francisco Fire Department, phone 911 or 415 558 3200. Then notify the Building Office, or Security if after-hours. The Building Office telephone is 415 512 1080, if after-hours, dial 0 during the message to reach Security. Never assume that someone else has, or will, report the fire.
 
An intermittent high-pitched warbling noise will sound on your floor. Relocation should commence at that time. Follow instructions described in Relocation Procedures. Floor Wardens should first make sure the fire has properly been reported, and then supervise the immediate relocation of personnel from the floor. Personnel familiar and trained in the use of fire extinguishers should attempt to extinguish SMALL MANAGEABLE FIRES only (no larger than a trash can) and if safe to do so. Do NOT allow the fire to get between you and your means of escape.
 
To use a fire extinguisher:
 
Ensure the alarm has been sounded
Check the fire extinguisher – is it the proper type and in good condition?
Carry extinguisher to fire, pull ring and aim at the base of the fire.
Crouch low, squeeze handle and sweep from side to side in an upward motion.
Remain calm. Follow instructions of your Floor Warden. Listen for emergency communications through the
Public Address System. Follow instructions from Fire Department or Fire Safety Director. Unless you have something to report, do NOT tie up phone lines. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS. Walk to the stairwell exits. In emergency situations, elevators will be used only by the Fire Department. When an alarm occurs, all elevators serving that area will be recalled to the lobby and shut off.
 
Assist disabled personnel. Assign at least two people to help move them to a safe area. The Fire
Department will also help, provided Building Management has been advised of name(s) and location(s).
DO NOT OPEN HOT DOORS. Before opening any door, touch it near the top, with the back of your hand to see if it is hot. A fire on the other side will blast through the slightest opening with tremendous force and heat. CLOSE ALL DOORS ALONG THE EXIT ROUTE. DO NOT BREAK WINDOWS to vent smoke.
Falling glass is a serious threat to people below. The Building Fire Safety Director will ensure that the fire department has been notified, elevators are recalled to ground level and that all keys, floor-plans, and the disabled list are readily available for the fire department, and will work with the Floor Wardens to facilitate relocation/evacuation. He will prepare the entrance for emergency response, communicate situation details with the fire department and instruct Security to make emergency public address announcements.
 
False Alarms
 
On rare occasions, a smoke detector or other alarm may malfunction and activate when there is no fire or other emergency. Until the source of the alarm is investigated and confirmed to be false, the alarm must be treated as real. Relocation procedures may be implemented for your safety, follow the instructions given over the public address system.
 
Fire Prevention Measures
 
Do not accumulate discarded files and paper trash in your office or storage areas. Pay special attention to housekeeping in areas that produce a lot of trash, such as copy areas and mailrooms. Keep your electrical appliances and electrical cords in good repair. Inspect all electrical cords for damage. Do not overload electrical outlets; the use of extension cords and space heaters is prohibited. Do not store large quantities of flammable solvents or duplication fluids. Store all flammable fluids in a well-marked, safe, cool location. When furnishing the office, consider the potential for toxic gas, smoke, and flames which synthetic materials can produce. Check on the safety and fire resistance of each material selected in your office. In areas of increased fire danger, install extra fire extinguishers.