FIRE ANNUNCIATION SYSTEM & EMERGENCY EVACUATION for the commercial office building located at 901 15th Street, required by Article F-105.3, D.C. Fire Prevention Code (D.C. Supplement):
- Be familiar with exits and fire apparatuses in your building. and know where the stairwells, there are two (2) stairwells that go to each floor in the building.
- If you encounter a fire or other potential emergency, pull the fire pull station nearest to the potential emergency. This alerts Datawatch Systems and will set off fire bells that can be heard through the building, alerting other occupants to evacuate. Please note that the pull station does not notify the fire department. The alarm system is monitored by Datawatch Systems and they in turn call the Fire Department.
- Please advise all your personnel that once one of these devices goes off, the bells will ring and evacuation should commence. It is not necessary to pull additional pull stations unless a fire is evident in that location. Indications of multiple floor pull stations activated on the annunciator panel will only confuse and slow down the fire department unless it is a multiple floor problem.
- Always use stairs in an emergency. Walk down them one time before an emergency occurs so you know where you will exit on the first floor. Remember: in the event of an emergency do NOT use the elevators - use the stairs.
- Upon exiting onto the first floor, please move out of the building and at least 500 feet from the building so others can safely evacuate, and the fire department can work quickly - and to avoid injury from window breakage.
- Before an emergency occurs, assign two individuals from your staff to monitor an evacuation. These individuals should be responsible for ensuring everyone evacuates by identifying any handicapped individuals and for securing your premises. Cushman & Wakefield personnel will assist in directing and giving specific instruction to your employees in the event of an actual emergency. The directions given by the fire department and management personnel should be followed at all times:
- Should the exit route from your space become blocked by smoke, stay calm.
- Go to the nearest available office and close the door.
- Call the fire department and give them your floor and approximate location - tell them you are trapped.
- If there is a window in the office, go to it and signal so fire personnel can see you.
- The fire department will quickly locate you and assist you in evacuating.
- The building is fully equipped with a sprinkler system. You may have fire extinguishers within your space. Know what you have and how to use it.
- Remember: Never use a water type extinguisher on electrical fires.