Fire and Other Events Requiring Building Evacuation Policy

Policy Statement

There are many reasons that may necessitate the need for a building to be evacuated (e.g., fire, spill, natural gas leak, flood, etc.). It is a requirement of the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, as well as New York State law, that all occupants evacuate the building once a fire alarm is activated, whether it is a drill or not. A building may not be re-entered until the “all clear” has been given by emergency personnel (i.e., campus or local emergency responders).

Purpose/Scope

This policy was created to establish the responsibilities of the members of the campus community when an evacuation notification is communicated, and to describe procedures that will be used to ensure the safe and orderly evacuation of campus properties in the event of a natural or human-made disaster, civil disturbance, or other emergency situation.

Applicability

This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, contractors, and visitors.

Definitions

Area of refuge — An area of refuge is a designated space in a multi-story building for assisted rescue during an emergency. The standard provides individuals unable to traverse the stairs a location to wait for help or instructions from first responders.

Evacuation Designated Assembly Areas — Evacuation designated assembly areas are specific areas, designated by SUNY Brockport, near each building for occupants to gather after evacuating. These areas will be far enough from the building to protect occupants while also ensuring that emergency services have access to the areas where they will need to stage themselves. It is important to gather at the designated area for your building to help ensure all are accounted for and have evacuated safely.

Policy Procedures

During an Evacuation Alarm:

• Evacuate the building quickly, but do not run and do not panic.
• Grab only small items close to you. If they are in the same room as you, take your keys and phone with you.
• If it is safe to do so, close the window(s) in your room.
• As the last person leaves a room or area, they should close the door behind them, but do not lock the door.
• All occupants are to use the nearest exit; if that exit is not usable, go to the next closest available exit.
  • Any door that will lead to the outside of the building is to be considered an emergency exit door during an evacuation, even if the door has a sign that states “Entrance Only” or has a security alarm on it.
• Do not use elevators during a fire alarm, as they are programmed to be shut down during a fire alarm.
• After you have left the building, proceed to the nearest Evacuation Designated Assembly Area.
• Never re-enter a building without the “all clear” from emergency personnel (i.e., campus or local emergency responders).
• While exiting the building, please be mindful of, and helpful to, individuals who may need assistance with evacuation (see detailed information further below for “Individuals in Need of Exit Assistance.”)

Evacuation Information for Instructors

All faculty members and students should immediately evacuate instructional spaces upon activation of the fire alarm. Instructors are encouraged to review the Evacuation Designated Assembly Areas map and inform students of the primary and alternate designated assembly areas for the class. If you are aware of an individual needing assistance exiting the building, call University Police at (585) 395-2222 or report this need to on-scene emergency personnel.

 

Individuals in Need of Exit Assistance

It is highly recommended that those individuals who may need assistance in exiting a building work with another person to develop a plan. It is generally advised that the individual needing assistance:

• wait in the nearest area of refuge. If the building does not have an area of refuge, wait inside a stairwell (one that is separated from the hallway with doors). If this is not possible, enter an office that has a window, attempt to block the bottom of the door with clothing, and wait by the window;
• call University Police at (585) 395-2222 to inform them of your location; and
• ask another person to also call University Police at (585) 395-2222 or find an on-scene emergency responder and report your location.

 

Evacuation Designated Assembly Areas

The campus has selected areas near buildings to serve as Evacuation Designated Assembly Areas. This places the occupants far enough from the building to protect them while also ensuring that emergency services have access to the areas where they will need to stage themselves. To see a map of all of the designated assembly areas on the SUNY Brockport campus, visit Evacuation Designated Assembly Areas.

 

In the event of an emergency, staff from University Police, Facilities and/or Environmental Health and Safety, or emergency responders may be directing you to an appropriate assembly area. The Everbridge Mass Notification System may also be used to communicate this information. Please do not choose to assemble in an area that may be closer to the building, as this may put you in danger and be in the way of emergency responders.

We are all responsible for working together to provide for a safe learning and working environment – please take a few minutes with your floor, your department, or your class, to ensure that everyone is aware of these procedures and the location of the designated assembly area for your building. Communicating this information prior to an incident is critical to the safety of our campus community.

 

Everbridge Mass Notification System

SUNY Brockport utilizes the Everbridge Mass Notification System to send emergency messages to the campus community. To sign up for Everbridge, go to the Emergency Management webpage and click on the button(s) for “Sign up for alerts!”

Links to Related Procedures and Information

Evacuation Designated Assembly Areas

Emergency Management webpage - to sign up for the Everbridge Mass Notification System

Contact Information

Director of Environmental Health & Safety

History (in descending order)

Item	Date	Explanation
Next Review Date	2030-04-11	Five-year review
Revision Date	2025-04-11	Policy updated throughout
Adoption Date	Unavailable	Policy Adopted

Approval

This policy was approved by President’s Cabinet on 2025-04-11