Fire Safety Procedures

The fire response procedures outlined apply to UMass Memorial Medical Center only; this includes the Memorial, University and Hahnemann campuses. All other UMass Memorial Health Care sites follow specific fire response procedures outlined in individual fire plans posted at each location.

• All corridors must be clear. Portable equipment and carts must be in use (30 minutes or less) with crash carts an exception.  Alcoves and dead end corridors can be used for temporary storage and charging. Fire devices, pull stations, fire extinguishers and heat and smoke detectors must be clear and accessible at all times. Eighteen inches of clearance must be provided under all sprinkler heads. Keep all cross-corridor doors clear of equipment so that they may close properly in the event of a fire emergency.
• Report all fires and suspected fires immediately. Never assume that any fire is too small to initiate the fire procedure, even if a fire appears to be insignificant or controllable by hospital personnel.
• To report a fire pull the nearest pull station and call extension 911 from an in-house phone for campus police. A “Code Red” will be announced. Refer to posted evacuation maps for Fire Alarm Zone locations.
• Movement throughout the hospital should be minimized during a fire alarm, until the all clear has been given, to prevent the possible passage of smoke and/or fire. When responding to a fire scene located on a different floor level, always use the stairs.  Do not use the elevators.
• The campus emergency team will respond to the fire scene.  Where appropriate, administration will be notified. All other employees should remain where they are when the alarm occurs, unless circumstances require special assistance at the fire scene as announced over the public address system or other media.
• When the fire alarm sounds, patients and visitors in hallways should return to their rooms or other safe areas. They should be kept calm and asked to remain there until the “All Clear” announcement is made. Ensure that all doors and windows are closed.
• If evacuating, retrieve patient medical information, if possible and safe to do so.
• To report a fire at the ambulatory building or the community centers, activate the pull station and call 911 as appropriate.  Immediately evacuate the building to a safe area. When the pull stations are activated, the alarm sounds throughout those locations and the alarm is transmitted directly to the fire department.
• Cooking – microwave/toasters, etc. must be supervised at all times.
• Candles and halogen lights are prohibited.
• Space heaters are prohibited in all patient care areas.

If You Discover a Fire
If you discover a fire you must make sure that several things are done quickly.
Think of the word “RACE” to help you remember what to do.

R = RESCUE anyone in immediate danger from the fire, if it does not endanger your life
A = ALARM: sound the alarm by calling “2600” (on-campus locations only) and activating a pull station alarm box
C = CONFINE the fire by closing all doors and windows
E = EXTINGUISH the fire with a fire extinguisher, or EVACUATE the area if the fire is too large for a fire extinguisher.