UCLA Fire Safety: A Comprehensive Guide to Prevention, Preparedness, and Response

UCLA prioritizes the safety of its staff, faculty, and students through a comprehensive approach to fire safety. This includes providing extensive training, implementing rigorous prevention measures, and establishing clear emergency response protocols. This article will cover all these aspects, offering a detailed overview of UCLA's fire safety procedures.

Training and Education

UCLA provides a wide array of training and educational resources designed to equip staff, faculty, and students with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent fires and respond effectively in case of an emergency.

General Fire Prevention

Preventing fires requires constant vigilance and adherence to established safety protocols. UCLA emphasizes the following general fire prevention practices:

Fire Fighting Equipment: All fire fighting equipment must be conspicuously located, easily accessible, periodically inspected, and maintained in proper working condition. Any service requirements for fire-related equipment should be reported to Facilities Management Trouble Call at (310) 825-9236.
Fire Alarm Awareness: Familiarize yourself with the location of fire pull stations and manual fire fighting equipment. Understand when and how to use them.
Hazard Identification: Identify the major hazards present in your workplace and learn the appropriate handling procedures to minimize risks.

Housekeeping Practices

Maintaining a clean and organized environment is crucial for preventing fires and ensuring safe evacuation routes. UCLA mandates the following housekeeping practices:

Clutter Removal: Keep work areas free from clutter and accumulation of trash and debris. Empty trash cans regularly.
Clear Pathways: Exits, stairways, walkways, electrical panels, and fire fighting equipment must be kept clear of materials, supplies, or trash.
Sprinkler Clearance: Maintain a minimum of 18 inches of clearance between storage and equipment and fire sprinkler heads.

Electrical Safety

Electrical malfunctions are a significant cause of fires. UCLA emphasizes the following electrical safety measures:

Equipment Maintenance: Keep all equipment in safe working condition.
Defective Equipment: Never use defective tools or equipment with frayed electrical cords.

Fueling Operations

Fueling operations require strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent accidental fires and spills. UCLA mandates the following precautions:

Engine Shutdown: Never refuel an engine while it is running.
No Open Flames: Smoking and any open flames are strictly prohibited in the vicinity of fueling operations.
Spill Cleanup: In the event of a fuel spill, it must be completely cleaned up, washed away, or evaporated before restarting the engine.
Approved Containers: Do not transfer gasoline in an open container. Use only an approved safety can.

Laboratory and Shop Fire Prevention

Laboratories and shops often involve the use of flammable materials and equipment, requiring specific fire prevention measures.

Flammable Storage

Approved Safety Cans: Use only approved safety cans for handling or storing flammable liquids.
Proper Disposal: Follow proper disposal procedures for flammable liquid waste.
Oily Waste: Use an approved metal can with a lid for temporarily storing oily or solvent-soaked rags until properly disposed.
Ignition Sources: When using flammable liquids, ensure there are no open flames or sources of ignition in the work area, such as sparks from welding equipment.
Quantity Limits: Limit lab bench tops to no more than 10 gallons of flammable liquids. Restrict rooms to a maximum of 3 flammable liquid storage cabinets, keeping them away from exit routes.

Hot Work

When using heat-producing equipment like welding, cutting, and brazing tools, specific precautions are necessary to prevent fires.

Clear Work Area: Keep the work area clear of all fire hazards.
Fire Extinguishers: Ensure fire extinguishers are readily available when using such equipment.
Fire Watch: A fire watch may be necessary to monitor the area for potential hazards.

Fire Extinguisher Use

Fire extinguishers are strategically located in all University buildings. However, proper training is essential before attempting to use one.

Prioritize Safety: Activate the alarm and notify University police BEFORE attempting to extinguish the fire.
Buddy System: Never fight a fire alone. Use the buddy system and position yourself between the fire and the exit.
Extinguisher Types: Use the appropriate extinguisher for the type of fire:
- Type A: Ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth.
- Type B: Flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, and grease.
- Type C: Electrical fires involving appliances, computers, and circuit breakers.
- Type D: Combustible metals like sodium and magnesium.
PASS Technique: Remember the PASS acronym:
- Pull: Pull the pin to unlock the lever.
- Aim: Aim at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze: Squeeze the lever to discharge the extinguishing agent.
- Sweep: Sweep from side to side, carefully moving toward the fire until all the flames appear to be extinguished.

Emergency Instructions and Evacuation

Clear emergency instructions and evacuation plans are crucial for ensuring a safe and orderly response to a fire.

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Emergency Contact Information: Post emergency numbers near all telephones.
Evacuation Routes: Post emergency instructions and evacuation routes in conspicuous locations. Identify safe routes, alternate routes, and refuge or safe areas.
Exit Route Familiarity: Know all the building exit routes. Keep exit routes clear.
Elevator Prohibition: Do not use the elevator during a fire.
Evacuation Procedures: If you hear the fire alarm, leave the building. As you leave, close the doors and windows behind you.
Alternate Exits: If your nearest exit is blocked by fire, smoke, or heat, go to the alternate exit.
Low to the Floor: If there is smoke in your room or in the corridor, stay as low to the floor as possible.
Door Assessment: Before opening a door, feel the top of the door. If it is hot, do not open the door. If it is not hot, open it slowly. If heavy smoke is present, close the door and stay in the room. Open a window to let fresh air in.
Trapped Protocol: If you are trapped in your room, call UCLA Police at 911 from a campus phone and give your location. Hang an item out the window to attract attention.

Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)

Emergency action plans (EAPs) are mandated by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA). These plans must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and readily available for employees to review.

Integration with IIPP: At UCLA, the EAP is completed alongside the injury and illness prevention plan (IIPP) as both programs rely on overlapping information.
Annual Renewal: All UCLA personnel are required to complete emergency evacuation training. Similar to the IIPP program, each department will be contacted annually by EH&S and asked to complete the EAP. For simplicity, the deadlines for the EAPs are synced with the IIPP renewal deadline.
Department Safety Liaisons: Department managers assign department safety liaisons who are responsible for coordinating department emergency preparedness activities. These personnel are often the same as those filling in the departmental injury and illness prevention plan (IIPP).
Evacuation Routes: Staff are expected to follow evacuation signage, including exit signs, and use stairwells (not elevators) when evacuating their workspace.
Areas of Refuge: Locations inside of buildings for individuals who are unable to evacuate to wait for first responders. These are often in stairwells or in enclosed elevator lobbies if designed during construction.

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