Environmental Health and Safety Fire & Life Safety Update
September 2017
Life Safety Inspections
The Environmental Health and Safety Department was busy this summer completing projects and conducting inspections to support Fire and Life Safety on campus. Inspections are conducted by EHS, Physical Plant and outside vendors to ensure critical equipment is available and functioning properly to protect the safety of Hudson Valley Community College faculty, staff, students and visitors.
When deficiencies are found, EHS works closely with academic departments or Physical Plant to ensure issues are resolved. Whenever possible, EHS schedules inspections and testing during periods when there are few or no classes to minimize disruption to faculty and students.
State Fire Marshal Inspection
Now that classes are back in session, EHS is busy conducting fire drills and getting ready for the annual State Fire Marshal Inspection starting the week of Sept. 18. Some of the Life Safety concerns frequently found by EHS and the Fire Marshal include:
• Refrigerators and space heaters plugged into power strips or extension cords
• Extension cords used in place of permanent wiring
• “Daisy chaining” of extension cords and power strips
• Combustible materials placed on or close to space heaters or other heat sources
• Excessive accumulation of papers and combustible materials
• Exit paths in offices blocked by stored materials
• Fire doors propped open when space is not occupied
If EHS has brought an issue in your space to your attention, please take the time to correct it now. All employees should take a few minutes to check their spaces for any life safety concerns. The EHS Fire Safety Checklist for Offices and Workspaces provides additional information for all employees: http://www.hvcc.edu/ehs/fire/office-guidelines.pdf.
Fire Drills and Evacuations
As required by New York State Fire Code, Hudson Valley Community College holds fire drills three times per year. The purpose of the drills is to make all building occupants familiar with how to evacuate as quickly and orderly as possible.
Anytime you hear the fire alarm or a verbal evacuation announcement, please follow these guidelines:
• Immediately gather your personal belongings and go to the nearest exit.
• Follow exit signs and do not use the elevators
• Do not leave your class behind. Make sure all students exit the building
• Once outside, move away from the entrance
• Do not re-enter the building until the alarm has been silenced and you are told that it is safe by the Fire Department, Public Safety or EHS.
• If you have any information about the fire or emergency, or if you see someone needing extra assistance, report to a Public Safety Officer or other emergency responder.
For any Fire and Life Safety questions or concerns, contact Maxine Ortiz at m.ortiz@hvcc.edu or (518) 629-7787.
Published: Thu, 07 Sep 2017 18:23:01 +0000 by m.ortiz