Emergency Evacuation of Buildings and Assistance to Persons with Disabilities
If the fire alarm is activated, exit the building immediately using the nearest exit and go to your building’s Safe Destination Site. The Safe Destination Site will be far enough away to prevent injury related to explosions or broken glass in the event of a fire. Here you will await instructions from Fire Officials, DUS officers, and/or Environmental Health & Safety.
Do not attempt to re-enter the building until the “all clear” signal has been sounded. The all clear signal will be a sharp blast of the alarm system lasting 45-60 seconds.
Please note that elevators are not functional when the fire alarm is activated. Do not attempt to use the elevator. Find the nearest staircase and exit the building, if you are able to do so.
Note: Do not congregate in stairwells, tunnels or building entrances/exits. In addition to explosion and smoke hazards, it is important to keep these areas clear for others to evacuate quickly.
For Instructors
- Instructors are considered “supervisors” to their students under the law. It is their responsibility to be familiar with Carleton’s evacuation and other emergency procedures to ensure their students evacuate quickly and safely.
- When an alarm is activated, evacuate your classroom immediately and direct students to the appropriate safe destination site. You must evacuate your classroom regardless of examinations or other.
- If a student requires the use of Stay in Place, the instructor can help the student locate a suitable area and assist in calling DUS. Only those with specialized training and equipment will assist the student in leaving the building.
“Stay in Place”
If smoke, fire, debris or mobility issues are preventing you from exiting the building safely, exercise “Stay in Place”.
- Find a small room with a closing door (e.g. office, residence room, small classroom). Ideally this room would also have a window.
- Seal cracks around the door(s) with tape, sheets or clothing dampened with water (if possible) to minimize smoke entering your room
- Call the Department of University Safety at 613-520-4444:
- Indicate that you are “Staying in Place”
- Provide your name and location
- Provide information on what smoke, heat, and/or flames you have noticed, if any.
- Indicate if you have mobility restrictions or other conditions.
- Indicate if there are other people with you and how many.
- If you room has a window, hang brightly coloured objects in the window. Do not break the window as this will allow smoke from outdoors to enter your room.
Staying in place allows you temporary safety until Ottawa Fire Services can properly assist you in exiting the building safely.
Individuals with permanent or temporary mobility issues that may require them to exercise Stay in Place, should self-identify this need using this form. All records will be confidential and used solely for the purpose of aiding in building evacuations.
Additional Resources
The Environmental Health and Safety Office has prepared several resources to help you stay safe at Carleton. For more information specific to fire safety, consult the following resources: