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Fire Drill Program

Guidelines and procedures for conducting fire drills at UWF in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Definitions

Fire Drill - A routinely practiced orderly response and relocation to an audible signal as required by NFPA 101, NFPA 1, Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA).

High Hazard Occupancy - For the purposes of F.S. 633.085(2), the term "high-hazard occupancy" means any building or structure:

  1. That contains combustible or explosive matter or flammable conditions dangerous to the safety of life or property.
  2. In which persons receive educational instruction.
  3. In which persons reside, excluding private dwellings.
  4. Containing three or more floor levels.

Such buildings or structures include, but are not limited to, all hospitals and residential health care facilities, nursing homes and other adult care facilities, correctional or detention facilities, public schools, public lodging establishments, migrant labor camps, residential child care facilities, and self-service gasoline stations.

Most buildings on the University of West Florida Campus with a fire alarm system are considered High Hazard Occupancies by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Responsibility

  1. The Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) has the authority for establishing a fire drill procedure that meets the needs of the UWF Campus, and is in compliance with the applicable federal and state regulations.
  2. The Director of Campus and Capital Projects Planning and Management is responsible for and has the authority to maintain the University’s Fire alarm systems in all Campus buildings. Appropriate maintenance personnel shall assist in conducting all fire drills for the purpose of panel activation and reset, and identification of device operations.
  3. The Director of Housing and Residence Life, or designee, is responsible for and has the authority to schedule, conduct fire drills, and maintain records in all Residence Hall facilities. At a minimum, one scheduled fire drill shall be scheduled each semester at a time determined by the Housing Director. Only designated personnel from Johnson’s Controls, Inc may activate or silence the alarm panel.
  4. The Director of the Child Care Center is responsible for scheduling Fire Drills in the Child Care Center in accordance with NFPA 101, Chapter 15, and Florida Department of Children and Families regulations. Drills shall be conducted at least one time per month. Records of all drills shall be maintained by the Day Care Center Director.
  5. The Chief of the UWF Police may provide a law enforcement officer at all scheduled drills to assist with evacuations and related duties unless preempted by other priority calls. Campus Police will record and document all Fire Drills as part of the daily activity log.

Procedures

  1. The Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) will schedule annual fire drills in all E&G (non-residential) High Hazard Occupancy buildings with fire alarm systems.
  2. Drills in non-residential buildings will be scheduled early during either the Fall, Spring or Summer Semesters to minimize disruption to classes, labs, and office hours.
  3. Should drills not be able to be conducted during the scheduled time, attempts will be made to reschedule if possible.
  4. Drills may be conducted by the Director of EH&S, or the senior Law Enforcement Officer on duty, or designee.
  5. Prior to activation of each alarm, the University Police Department, Dispatch Center shall be called to inform them a drill is being conducted, and again when complete.
  6. During a drill, everyone is required to evacuate the building in an orderly fashion as quickly and safely as possible. Documentation as to the total evacuation time will be made.
  7. Should any person fail to leave the building during a fire drill they will be counseled and their names will be given to the appropriate supervisor for possible disciplinary action.
  8. Drills will be conducted during normal business and occupancy times for each facility, so as to insure that individuals are present and participate in the drills.
  9. The State Fire Marshal may request UWF provide documentation that fire drills have been conducted, or he may request a drill be conducted in his presence during the State Fire Marshal’s annual fire safety inspection.

Recordkeeping

  1. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety shall maintain records of all fire drills.
  2. University Police shall maintain records of all fire drills consistent with other documentation processes.
  3. Housing and Residence Life shall document and maintain evidence of all residence hall fire drills.
  4. The Day Care Center shall document and maintain evidence of all Day Care Center fire drills.

References

F.S. Chapter 633.085; F.S. Chapter 1013.371(1) (a), HEOA, Public Law 110-315; NFPA 1, Chapter 20.8.2.3; 20.13.2.1 NFPA 101.4.7; 28.7.3;