Fire Safety

Laboratories often contain flammable liquids and many laboratory procedures involve heat. Some chemical reactions themselves generate heat. Due to this obvious hazard, the following guidelines are of utmost importance:

1. Interior connecting doors between laboratories should be unobstructed and unlocked (for exit) at all times.
2. Faculty and staff should be familiar with the location and use of emergency fire equipment. This includes the location of fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, first aid supplies, and emergency showers. It is recommended that each department develop a list of emergency equipment and its location.
3. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is responsible for maintaining and checking fire alarm systems, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and other fire suppression systems on the KSU main campus.
4. All employees should be trained how to use a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguisher demonstration and training is provided by EHS, to register for training either sign up through HRIS self-service or send an email to learning-develop-hr@k-state.edu. When sending an email, please include your name, employee ID and the course title.
5. Faculty should acquaint students in classrooms of the locations of emergency equipment, emergency exits and general evacuation or areas to await assistance for those unable to evacuate.
6. In the event of a fire, pull the fire alarm as you leave the area and call 911 to report the location of the fire. In the event of a fire alarm, all persons must proceed to the nearest exit for evacuation. Instructors should announce the location of the nearest exit at the beginning of the class each semester. All evacuees should meet in a location away from the building and out of the way of the emergency vehicles. All efforts should be made to aid physically disabled individuals to a safe location and to advise emergency rescue personnel.