Fire Safety Automated External Defibrillators Office safety The UAH Campus Safety program provides guidance and assistance to faculty, staff, and students on different aspects of safety across campus. This includes fire safety information, fire drill information, AED information, and general office safety guidance. For more information on the UAH Campus Safety program or questions about any of the related topics, please contact OEHS. Fire Safety Fire Evacuation Information Fire Drill Procedures OEHS Fire Drill Fact Sheet Emergency Contact List by Campus Building Housing Topics Fire Safe Student Housing: A guide for Campus Housing Administrators Campus Fire Safety: Safety Tips for Students and Parents The Minger Foundation for Campus Fire and Life Safety Videos Fire Safety for Students Residential Fire Safety Resources for RAs Minger RA Fire Safety Guide Greek Fire Safety Guide Fire Safety Posters Smoke Alarm Safety Tips Portable Heater Safety Microwave Safety Portable Fire Extinguishers Most of the portable fire extinguishers found on the UAH campus are rated ABC and contain a dry chemical fire extinguishing agent. Some of the laboratories on campus have extinguishers rated BC and may contain carbon dioxide as the extinguishing agent. Carbon dioxide extinguishers can be identified because they do not have a pressure gauge indicator on the handle. Fire Extinguisher Training OEHS provides training upon request to employees on the use of portable fire extinguishers. Contact the OEHS Safety Specialist, at 256-824-2352 for more information. Web-based training: How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspections All campus fire extinguishers must be checked once per month to ensure their charge is still in the red zone on the gauge. The back of the inspection tag must be initialed and dated at the time the inspection is performed. Laboratory and shop managers are responsible for checking fire extinguishers monthly and for initialing and recording the date of inspection on the inspection tag. OEHS will perform a review of fire extinguisher inspections during laboratory and shop audits. Facilities and Operations perform monthly inspections for all fire extinguishers in common areas on campus. University Housing employees are responsible for checking fire extinguishers monthly and for initialing and recording the date of inspection on the inspection tag. The local fire marshal monitors compliance and will check inspection tags during inspection visits. If an extinguisher is found that has not been checked, shows an inadequate charge on the indicator, does not work, has visible damage, or has been used please contact the Facilities and Operations Work Order Desk at 256-824-6490 or submit a service request on the UAH Facilities and Operations home page. Automated External Defibrillators Automated External Defibrillators or an AED, as defined by OSHA, are a medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims of ventricular fibrillation to restore the heart rhythm to normal. OEHS maintains almost a hundred AEDs across the UAH campus. These devices are typically located near the highest trafficked elevator in a building on odd numbered floors, or a central location in single storied buildings. OEHS performs monthly inspections to maintain campus AEDs. In the event of an emergency where an AED is used, please contact OEHS after the emergency has been resolved. This allows our office to replace parts used and to keep the AEDs in service. Contact the OEHS for more information regarding our AED Program. Office Safety Indoor office environments seem safe enough but there are precautions and planning that we all should consider: Indoor Air Quality Computer Workstation Ergonomics Slips, Trips, and Falls Preventing Communicable Illness Smoking and Tobacco Products Use Policy Emergency Preparedness Emergencies happen; they’re a part of life. Being prepared can reduce the seriousness of injuries and the time to recover from unplanned events. To be better prepared, UAH provides the following services: UAlert: The UAlert system provides you quick information regarding campus emergencies. Automated External Defibrillator’s (AEDs): These are located in cabinets in most campus buildings on odd level floors near the common/most used elevator. The Police Department also maintains an AED in each squad car. An emergency medical kit is also located in each AED cabinet. Learn more about the UAH AED Program. Building Emergency Signs: These are posted near stairs and elevators in each campus building. The signs provide the locations of emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, AEDs, stairwells, exits routes, and protective areas for severe weather. Evacuation Drills: All UAH building occupants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the University’s procedures for Fire and Building Evacuation. These procedures are available in the multi-colored Emergency Procedures Handbook, which should be available in each campus office. Additional copies may be requested from the UAH Police Department or the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. View the Handbook Emergency Egress The ability to leave a building during emergencies can be hindered by items left in hallways and stored inappropriately in the office environment. Items that are no longer needed and in good condition may be surplused through Central Receiving and Shipping. The Grounds Maintenance Department moves items to another area or to the trash. Ensure excess furniture and computer equipment does not block your way out of the building in an emergency by contacting the appropriate department to dispose of your excess as soon as it is deemed unneeded. Electrical Safety Portable Space Heaters Facilities & Operations maintains all buildings according to the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidelines. All discomfort due to heating, air conditioning and ventilation should be promptly reported to the Facilities & Operations Work Order Desk at 256.824.6490. Remember The Director of Facilities & Operations Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Department must approve the use of space heaters. Space heaters increase the risks of fire and electric shock if not used properly. Use of space heaters must conform to safety guidelines provided below: Employees should obtain approval from a supervisor prior to using a space heater at work. All space heaters should have the certification of Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Keep heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing, and rugs. Keep space heaters out of high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard. Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater. Operating space heaters should never be left unattended. They should be turned off and unplugged at the end of the workday or whenever the employee leaves the room.