Fire and Building Safety
The Brandeis University Environmental Health & Safety Department endorses residence hall fire safety through education and practice. Learn the PODS program and stay safe.
- P — Prevention
- O — Occupant Awareness
- D — Detection
- S — Suppression
Building Fire Safety Plan Information
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If fire or smoke is discovered, proceed immediately to exit and pull manual fire alarm.
- Notify campus police (public safety) by dialing ext. 6-3333.
- Tell the dispatcher clearly and precisely: “There is fire/smoke.”
- Give the name of the building and closest floor and room number.
- Evacuate the building using the nearest available exit.
- Direct campus police and Waltham Fire Department to the scene of the fire or smoke.
- Meet and gather with other building occupants at your predetermined location outside the building.
- DO NOT reenter the building until “all-clear” signal has been given by the Waltham Fire Department or campus police.
- DO NOT use elevators.
Get Out, Notify Public Safety, Get Clear of the Building
Building Captains: The University Safety Plan begins with Building Captains throughout campus to facilitate the communication of emergency information to you. This Bulletin is part of that process by providing a tool to document your groups’ evacuation plan, meeting point and communications.
Contacting Public Safety: One of the easiest and quickest ways to contact Public Safety during an emergency that may require evacuation is to pull a Fire Pull Station at building doorways. This will alert Public Safety of an emergency and dispatch a Campus Police Officer to the scene.
Please avoid calling the Waltham Fire or Police Department directly as this may actually delay
response to your immediate area. Our Officers are well versed in the layout and accessibility to all areas and buildings on campus. If and when you are in a safe location Public Safety can be reached at: 6-3333
If an emergency should occur…
- CLOSE the doors to stop the spread of the fire, smoke.
- SOUND the alarm and alert others to the danger.
- GET OUT of the building.
- NOTIFY Public Safety 6-3333.
- DO NOT go back into the building or try to save your stuff. Clothes, books and papers can be replaced. You can't!
Areas of Assembly Requirements
Large areas of assembly on campus that currently carry a City Liquor License must abide by the conditions of the Massachusetts Fire Prevention Codes. The designated Crowd Manager for the Levin Ballroom, Faculty Club, Sherman Hall and The Stein shall ensure that the Crowd Management Plan Checklist provided below is completed according to the schedule outlined for each location, maintained on site for one year and provided to Brandeis, City and State officials upon request.
Residence Hall Safety
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Basic Facts
- In 2005 there were 3,300 university dormitory fires in the United States.
- Cooking appliances and practices are the cause in as much as 72% of dorm fires.
- Most injuries (56%) are caused when an occupant attempts to suppress the fire.
- Smoke can fill a space in as little as 30 seconds and heat at eye levels can be in excess of 600 degrees
Tips for Prevention and Response
- Evacuate EVERY time you hear a fire alarm.
- DO NOT tamper with smoke detectors, pull stations or fire extinguishers. DON’T hang stuff from sprinkler pipes. DO report any damage.
- Make sure ALL fire doors are closed and hallways are clear at all times.
- Don’t overload electrical circuits; don’t run extension cords under rugs.
- Use stairs to evacuate NOT elevators. Know your evacuation route.
- Be aware of Pull – Aim- Squeeze - Sweep for fire extinguisher use. DO NOT put yourself or others in danger trying to extinguish fires!! GET OUT!
- No smoking in University buildings.