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Fire Prevention Guidelines The following are important aspects of effective fire prevention
in all areas of the campus.
- Prevent the accumulation of combustible materials (paper, cardboard,
plastic) in the work area. Store excess materials in a metal
cabinet or storage closet. Recycle or discard unnecessary combustibles
to prevent the rapid spread of fire.
- Store materials on high shelves at least 18 inches below the
automatic sprinkler heads. This allows distribution of the sprinkler
water to put out a fire.
- Maintain clear access to the fire extinguishers, fire alarm
pull stations, sprinkler system controls and all other emergency
equipment. Do not store items and equipment in front of these.
- Keep corridors, aisles and second exits clear to facilitate
evacuation. Do not block evacuation routes with equipment materials,
especially items that can burn easily.
- Keep exit stairway doors closed and do not store materials
anywhere in stairways. This prevents smoke from entering the
stairway, facilitates evacuation and prevents fires from starting
inside the stairway.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets and extension cords or
multi-outlet strips.
- Maintain your own fire safety attitude and try to instill it
in others. Don't permit others to compromise your safety.
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Obtain/ Recharge a Fire Extinguisher
To Obtain
Contact the Safety Program to review the need for a fire extinguisher
in your lab/ shop. In certain situations where the Safety Program
determines that a fire extinguisher is needed, the type and size
will be specified. Extinguishers are required by the Mass. Fire
Prevention regulations to be within 30 feet of a flammable liquids
storage area. The recommended location is near the exit door. The
type, location and size of extinguishers are based on the specific
fire hazard(s) present in the work area.
If the Safety Program recommends that you obtain a fire extinguisher,
then send a requisition to the Department of Facilities Fire Protection
Team and attach a copy of the email from the Safety Program. Include
the cost to purchase the extinguisher and to mount it.
If an extinguisher is missing, call F-IXIT (3-4948)
and provide the Building-Room number as well as the number on the
blue or red preventive maintenance tag above the mount.
To Recharge
Facilities checks fire extinguishers once a year between January
and March. If you find one that was missed, call F-IXIT (3-4948)
and provide the Building-Room number as well as the number on the
blue or red preventive maintenance tag above the mount.
If an extinguisher is used
If you use an extinguisher to fight a fire, have someone dial
100 and/ or pull the fire alarm to start the evacuation. Portable
fire extinguishers are to be used by trained personnel only and
are intended for use on incipient fires (e.g. a waste basket fire.)
If you discover that someone extinguished a fire but no one was
notified, contact the Safety Program to review the cause of the
fire and the recommended guidelines. The Cambridge Fire Department
will be notified and may investigate the fire.
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