Fire

Components of the Building Life Safety System

• The heart of the Building’s life safety system is the Fire Command Center. Equipment housed here monitors all smoke detectors, sprinkler water flow & tamper switches, and the status of the emergency generator, elevators, and fire pump.  The public address system used to communicate to all or selected floors in initiating evacuations is located in this room.
• Photo-electronic Smoke Detectors are strategically located throughout the Building common areas and mechanical rooms.  They can be identified by a green, blinking light.
• In an alarm situation, fire alarm horns and strobes are located so that they can be heard or seen in any area of the Building.  When an alarm on a floor is activated, the floor above and the floor below will also go into alarm. 
• The Building is equipped with a “wet pipe” Sprinkler System which indicates the quick presence of water in the system at all times.  Sprinkler heads, located throughout the building, contain an element that melts in the presence of heat in excess of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, thereby releasing water.  Sprinkler system isolation valves, located in the stairwells, must only be manipulated by the Management Staff or the fire department. 
• Adjacent to both stairwell entrances on each floor is a Fire Alarm Pull Station that may be activated by any individual upon discovering fire in the Building.
• Illuminated Exit Signs directing individuals to the nearest emergency exit are located throughout the Tenant suites and common areas of the Building.
• Either of two Emergency Stairwells servicing all floors of the Building should be used in lieu of elevators during an emergency evacuation.  In an Alarm situation, stairwell pressurization fans will be activated to prevent smoke from entering the stairwells.  Fire hose connections are available in the stairwells. 
• The Building is equipped with an Emergency Generator that will provide power for critical operating equipment including fire pumps, the emergency elevator and limited emergency lighting for at least 8 hours.  A 5-second delay will occur during the transfer of power.
• During an emergency, the freight elevator is used for Emergency Firefighter Service and the evacuation of individuals requiring special assistance only.   Building occupants must use the stairwells to exit the Building.

Fire Resistant Materials in the Building include       

• Concrete floors & structural columns
• Glass & metal exterior walls
• Flame retardant gypsum board with metal studs for interior partitions
• Building standard carpet meets all NFPA and County Code standards
• Ceilings are fire-resistant mineral fiber suspended on metal supports and grids
• Stairwells have two-hour fire rating
• Building mechanical and electrical areas are housed separately

Note:  While significant safety steps have been employed in the construction of Perimeter Summit, it is equally important that Tenants exercise care by not installing hazardous materials in the Building.   Hazardous equipment such as space heaters and oscillating fans are also prohibited.

Fire Extinguishers

Two multi-purpose “ABC” Fire Extinguishers (see below) are wall-mounted in the corridors on each floor.  Tenants should become familiar with their exact location and proper use.  These chemical-based extinguishers can cause damage to electronic equipment.  However, water extinguishers must not be used if an electrical current is present. 

• Class “A” fires are those involving ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, & cloth,
• Class “B” fires are those involving flammable liquids
• Class “C” fires are those involving energized electrical equipment
• Class “D” fires are those involving combustible metals

Note:  If a fire is small enough to be controlled by a fire extinguisher, use one.  However, do not attempt to control a fire if it is a threat to your safety.

Procedures

The building must be evacuated when a fire alarm signal is sounded.  An effective evacuation depends on the orderly “phasing” of floor clearance, which means that the emergency floor is evacuated first.  The next floor to evacuate should be the floor above followed by the floor below.  The Management Staff will be directing the evacuation until the fire department arrives.  At that point, the Fire Chief or other Fire Department designee will assume control of the situation.

Tenant Responsibilities

The person who discovers fire should:

• Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station (located at each stairwell).
• Dial 911 to report the fire.
• Call the Property Management Office at 770.481.3100 to report the location of the fire.
• Notify Tenant Emergency Response Team to begin the evacuation process.
• Close all doors leading to the fire after the area has been evacuated but do not lock them.

Tenant Wardens (or their Deputies)

• Assume full control of their areas of responsibility advising all occupants of the emergency.
• Determine the evacuation route to be taken by employees.  Before opening any door into the corridor, check the doorknob for heat.  If it is warm, stay in the office and, if possible, caulk around the door seams using wet towels or duct tape.  Do not open the door.  Find another exit to the corridor.
• Inspect corridor for smoke.  If smoke is present, stay low by crawling since clean air will be found nearest to the floor.
• Inspect stairwells to determine the presence of smoke, select the safest stairwell on the basis of the location of the fire and direct employees AWAY FROM THE ELEVATORS into the stairwell.
• Begin the evacuation process.  Calmly supervise and monitor the flow of people out of the office into the selected stairwell. 
• Instruct employees to form a single line and proceed on the right side of the stairwell for descent.  Distribute employees evenly through the stairwells.
• Check for remaining occupants in area of responsibility, turn off lights and close doors after the last person has evacuated.  Do not lock office doors if the office is involved in the fire.
• Make sure stairwell doors are closed after the last person has evacuated the area.
• Keep the Management Staff informed of the means being employed for evacuation by the occupants of your area.
• Upon exiting the stairwell on the ground floor, proceed to the SAFE REFUGE AREA and make sure everyone in your office or area of responsibility is accounted for.  If someone is missing, the information should be immediately conveyed to the Management Staff or the Fire Department.

Note:  If you are using a stairwell for evacuation and you encounter smoke on your descent, exit the stairwell into any clear corridor and proceed to the other stairwell to determine if it is clear.

Special Assistance Tenant Wardens   

The identity and location of individuals requiring special assistance during an evacuation must be known by the Management Staff in advance.  

• Immediately make contact with assigned person.  Assigned persons should wait in a previously designated location for assistance.
• If necessary, carry assigned person though the evacuation process.  Wheelchairs should be left behind.
• Individuals requiring special assistance should be taken to the nearest stairwell to wait for building or fire department personnel.

All Building Occupants   

• If you hear an alarm, stay calm.  Prepare to evacuate.  Follow instructions given over the public address system and by your Tenant Emergency Response Team.  Gather essential belongings if there is time to do so as re-entry to the Building will not be allowed during an emergency.
• If evacuations become necessary, use the stairs.  Allow visibly nervous or emotional
• Individuals to exit first.  Give priority to the evacuation of handicapped personnel.
• Remove high-heeled shoes to facilitate walking downstairs. 
• Remain quiet in the stairwells.  Do not run.  Do not panic.  All stairwells are constructed with fire resistant materials.
• If smoke is present, stay low.
• When outside, stay in the Safe Refuge Area & wait for instructions.
• Recognize that it is essential to voluntarily accept emergency instructions given by the Tenant Wardens in order to ensure safe and orderly response.

Management Staff Responsibilities   

In general, the Management Staff is responsible for coordinating and implementing an effective evacuation of the Building’s occupants in the case of a fire prior to the arrival of the Fire Department.  Some examples of the specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 

• Report to the fire command center to ensure that the fire department has been notified.  Confirm the area of alarm. 
• Engineering staff reports to the Fire Command Center.
• Confirm that all elevators have been called to the ground floor.  Check status of elevators.
• Confirm that fire department is given all emergency keys and advised of the fire floor and general building conditions. 
• Provide the fire department with building information (floor plans etc.) as requested.  Confirm operation of firefighter’s elevator service.
• Make necessary announcements to guide Tenant Emergency Response Teams through the evacuation process. 
• Report to the base of stairwells to direct individuals out of the building to the Safe Refuge Area.

If Evacuation is Impossible   

• Move as far away from the fire as possible. 
• Close all doors as you to provide a barrier against smoke.
• Call 911 and then the Management Office with your precise location.
• Stuff clothing or other materials around ventilation ducts and cracks in the doors to prevent smoke penetration. DO NOT BREAK THE GLASS.  Under certain conditions, an open window may draw smoke into the area. 
• Wait for help.  Remain calm.

After a Fire Evacuation

For future reference by the Management Office, Tenant Emergency Response Team members should immediately write a brief report covering their actions and response to the emergency including any special problems or incidents that were encountered.  The reports should be collected by the Designated Tenant Contact and submitted to the Management Office as soon as possible.