General Information
You can aid in
the prevention of fires and accidents – or at least minimize their
effect – by practicing proper safety and evacuation procedures.
This Handbook
is not intended to alarm you or to imply that your office building is
not safe. The Massachusetts
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code are applied to each building
owned or leased by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Nevertheless, fires and accidents may occur and you should be
prepared to act accordingly.
In the Event of a Fire
If you see a
fire or smoke, evacuate the area immediately. Report the situation to
the police or fire department immediately by calling 911.
If you are in an area that is free of smoke, use the phone. Give
the police or fire dispatcher a clear statement of what is burning (if
you know). Identify the
exact location of the fire by building, floor, and room or section
number. If your personal
safety is at risk, pull the nearest fire alarm or call on an office
phone in a safe area. Buildings have emergency pull stations that
directly alarm the Boston Fire Department.
Learn these locations before an emergency occurs.
You are Not Expected to Fight Fires!
A modern
office contains many natural and synthetic compounds such as wood,
paper, plastic, rubber, and wool which produce harmful gases and fumes
when they burn. In case of a
serious fire, do not delay initiating an evacuation of the area before
contacting the police/fire officials for your facility.
Do not attempt to use a fire extinguisher unless you know how!