Reminder about UAA evacuation procedures

As UAA performs evacuation drills this week, please keep in mind the following:

• Occupants should leave the building using the nearest stairwell exit, which is sometimes not the same doorway you used to enter the building.
• Those in wheelchairs should go to the stairwell landing of the floor on which they find themselves during the alarm, and have someone alert responders of their whereabouts.
• Get at least 50 feet away from the building while making your way to the Emergency Assembly Area (EAA). Expanding fire gases could cause window glass to be blown outward.
• Evacuation alarms could be used for emergencies other than smoke and flames, such as bomb threats or other crises. Get up and leave the building quickly even if you don't see fire.
• When leaving the office or classroom, quickly gather your keys and other valuables and take them with you. If the building needs to be checked for explosive devices or if there is an actual fire or chemical spill, you will not be allowed back inside to retrieve those items for quite a while. Backpacks and purses left behind will all have to be checked as potential explosive devices in the event of a bombing threat!
• Generally, it is safe to re-enter the building once alarm bells and horns have been silenced. Pay attention to officials' directions to the contrary, in the event responders will be working in the building and request the university silence the devices during their work handling the hazard.
• Note that federal law requires that we test our emergency plans. Annual evacuation drills allow us to do that while checking functionality of alarm hardware in your work or classroom space.

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