LIBRARY EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Fire Alarm
If the alarm goes off but no fire or smoke is reported or can be seen (or the area affected appears contained):
- Call security at x2111
- Make an announcement on the PA system: “Please leave the building immediately using the closest fire exit. Take your backpacks if possible.”
- Staff on duty should remain at the Circulation Desk but be prepared to evacuate.
If an actual fire or smoke of some proportion is reported or seen:
- Call Security x2111
- Make an announcement on the PA system: “Please leave the building immediately using the closest fire exit. Take your backpacks if possible.”
- Staff on duty should leave the building after other persons have done so.
The fire alarm panel is located behind the Circulation Desk near the outside drop box bin. The panel lights up to mark where in the library the fire alarm was pulled.Fire extinguishers can be found next to the fire alarm panel, in tech services near the mailboxes and the loading dock door, next to the fire exit stairwells on each floor, and in the restroom hallways just before the first group room on each floor.
- Turn off the alarm at the pillar next to the reserve area behind the Circulation Desk by switching the toggle switch down beneath the activated light.
- If more than one person is on duty, investigate the affected fire exit stairwell door to determine why the door alarm was activated.
- Use the “Library Back Door” key hanging on the bottom left corner of the Key Board behind Circulation to relock the stairwell door, then reset the alarm box at the pillar behind Circulation, OR
- Call Security at x2111 and request that they relock the door and reset the alarm.
Fire Exit Emergency Alarm
- Turn off the alarm at the pillar next to the reserve area behind the Circulation Desk by switching the toggle switch down beneath the activated light.
- If more than one person is on duty, investigate the affected fire exit stairwell door to determine why the door alarm was activated.
- Use the “Library Back Door” key hanging on the bottom left corner of the Key Board behind Circulation to relock the stairwell door, then reset the alarm box at the pillar behind Circulation, OR
- Call Security at x2111 and request that they relock the door and reset the alarm.
Tornado Warnings, Bomb Threats, Other Emergencies
- Call Security at x2111 to report a bomb threat or other emergency. Follow instructions regarding moving to the first floor during severe weather or evacuating the building as directed by Security. Make announcements on the PA to move people downstairs or outside.
- Alert CAE (x1270) and SSS (x1269) and any other staff in the building of circumstances that might require their attention.
Hovde Emergency Door Alarm Procedures
If someone goes out the Hovde emergency door, a very loud, irritating chirping noise will sound. To stop the noise, retrieve the Submaster paddle from the keyboard and insert the front door key (4RK) in the box on the upper left of the emergency door from the entryway side and turn it to the right, hard. This turns the alarm off. The door should then be closed, relocked, and the alarm system reactivated by inserting the key in the box and turning it to the left, hard, and then back to the middle (a couple of green lights will show and then a quick chirp or two a couple of seconds later to let you know that the system is re-activated).
If someone ever wants to utilize that door (for catering access, for example), we will need to de-activate the alarm first before opening the door. To de-activate, you follow the same procedure as you do to stop the noise when the alarm sounds: you insert the front door key in the box and turn it to the right. The door can then be opened without the alarm sounding.