Department of University Safety & Assurances

www.safety.uwm.edu
 Topics of Discussion

• Fire Alarm Systems and Procedures

• Fire Preparedness
• Definitions: Fire Triangle, Flashpoint,
Flammable and Combustible
• Classes of Fires
• Fire Extinguishers: Types and Use
• Fire Hazards
• Fire Inspections
• What’s Wrong In This Picture?

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 Fire Alarms
• All university buildings
are equipped with fire
alarms that sound an
audible tone.

• Some buildings have

strobe flashers for the
hearing impaired.

• Building fire alarms

are tested on a
regular schedule

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 Fire Alarm Procedures
• Fire alarm means: "EVACUATE!”
• Alert persons in area; Direct away from
danger;
• Close doors to confine.
• Activate the fire alarm.
• Call UNIVERSITY POLICE from safe
location.
• Dial 9-911.
• Evacuate through nearest safe exit.
• Do not use elevators.
• Move away from building.
• Do not re-enter until Fire Department or
University Police announce "All Clear."

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Emergency Evacuation Floorplans

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 Reporting Fire
• Procedure to
Report Fire
• Dial 9-911, for
University Police
• Remain calm
• Let police ask the
questions
• Give thorough
explanations •If calling from Great Lakes Water
• Let the police hang up Institute, only dial 911.
first

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 Requesting Emergency Assistance
from a Cell Phone

• Dial 911
• Inform dispatcher
you are at UWM
• Provide address
information and
nature of emergency
• UWM Police will
arrive in addition to
other responders

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 Fire Preparedness

•Identify
Emergency
Exits.
All designated exits
are clearly marked..

•Participate in fire drills. Fire drills are

conducted to familiarize you with the sound of building's
fire alarm, emergency exits not normally used, and
procedures for calling UWM Police

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 Definitions: Fire Triangle

• To burn a fire needs fuel, an ignition source (like a spark)

and oxygen. Remove any of these and the fire will go out
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 Definition: Flashpoint
• Flashpoint is the temperature
at which a liquid gives off
sufficient vapor to ignite if an
ignition source is present.
• Typically the lower the flash
point, the greater the fire
hazard. Any substance with
a flashpoint near or below
room temperature should be
handled as posing a real fire
hazard.

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Definitions: Flammable and
Combustible

• Combustible liquids
have flashpoints above
100 degrees F.
• Flammable liquids have
flashpoints below 100
degrees F.

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 Classes of Fires

•Ordinary Combustibles: paper, cloth,

upholstery, trash, most plastic, wood...
•Flammable liquids, gases and
greases; kerosene, oil, paint,
cleaning fluids, cooking oil...

•Energized electrical components:

appliances, wiring...

•Combustible metals: potassium,

magnesium...

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 Fire extinguishers
• Fire extinguishers supplied
throughout campus and in
many campus vehicles
• If a fire occurs, get to safety
• Notify people in vicinity
• Do NOT fight fire unless you
• Have had recent hands-on training
with fire extinguishers and fire is
only in incipient stage
• Are absolutely sure you can put
the fire out, AND
• Will not endanger yourself or
others by not leaving

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 “PASS” Method
P Pull the pin. Hold the
extinguisher with nozzle
pointing away from you and
release the locking
mechanism

AAim low. Point the

extinguisher at the base of
the fire

S Squeeze the lever slowly

and evenly (Other types
require slightly
SSweep the nozzle from different
side to side. techniques.)

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Fire Extinguisher Training

•Take fire
extinguisher
training (annual
training scheduled
by EHSRM)

•Never attempt
to fight fire
unless you
have complete
confidence you
can put it out
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Fire Hazards: Electrical Abuse

•Electrical "octopuses"
can overload circuits and
result in fire.

•Never leave unattended:

hotplates, coffee makers,
irons, space heaters, etc.

•Keep heaters away from

curtains and furniture.

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 Fire Hazards: Electrical Abuse

• Use only 15 amp fused power

strips.
• Replace damaged wires and
outlets immediately
• Match appliance power
requirements to circuit power.

• Size of extension cord should

match appliance power cord to
prevent overheating.

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Fire Hazards: Electrical Abuse

•Extension cords are

not intended for
"permanent"
installations --
appliances shall be
connected to
permanently wired
receptacles.

•Storage of
combustibles in
mechanical/electrical
service closets is
prohibited.
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 Fire Doors

•Never prop open

fire doors with wedges
or other objects.

•The purpose of these

doors is to prevent
smoke and heat from
travelling up stairwells
and along corridors.

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 Fire Inspections

• Milwaukee Fire
Department
conducts annual
inspections of
each building on
the UWM
campus, making
note of fire code
violations

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 Fire Inspections
Common fire safety violations listed on
University Safety & Assurances webpage

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 Fire Hazards

• Blocked electrical
panel
• There should be a 3’
clearance around all
electrical panels

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 Monthly Inspections

• Physical Plant
Services inspects
fire extinguishers on
a monthly basis
• If you come across
an extinguisher that
has not been
checked recently,
please notify PPS

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 Blocked Fire Doors

• Storage is not
permitted in
hallways and in front
of fire doors

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 Storage in Stairwells

• Storage in
stairwells and
stairwell
landings is
prohibited.

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