Fact Sheet on Safety Features In McKeldin West
This memo expires December 1, 2005.
McKeldin East is in full compliance with all applicable fire safety codes and staff should feel confident that the structure is safe. The University has two fire marshals who are knowledgeable, authoritative and forceful in enforcing regulations. Many features of the building are a direct result of their insistence that fire safety be a primary concern of the architects and the builder. Thus we have: fire-rated doors between the buildings instead of simple openings, crash bars with alarms instead of locked doors, 75" high partitions instead of floor-to-ceiling temporary walls, and many other more subtle features. The following information may be helpful:
1. Emergency Exits.
There are sufficient emergency exits for a building of this size and use. Exits are located at the four corners of the building on the first floor. On the basement level and the upper floors there are only three exits--no exit at the northeast corner.
2. Sprinklers.
This is a completely sprinkled building--all areas have sprinkler protection.
1. Sprinklers are heat activated (145°) and are of the on/off type. That is, heat in excess of 145° causes the sprinklers to turn on. When the heat level drops below 90° the sprinkler will turn off.2. Only the sprinkler heads affected by the heat will discharge water.
3. The vertical space from the sprinkler head to a distance 18" below the head must not be obstructed by bookcases, walls, partitions or other materials.
3. Fire Alarm System.
The fire alarm system is electrically operated with a generator back-up which is automatically activated in case of a primary power failure or disconnect.
1. Manual Stations (Pull Boxes-Handles). Fire alarm pull handles are located near every exit door (basically at the four corners of the first floor and three corners omitting the northeast corner) of each of the upper floors and the basement.2. Audible/Visible Alarm (Horn/Light Signal Devices). The fire alarms are very loud horns (similar to the alarms we had in the old building). In addition to the horn, a system of flashing lights has been provided for the hearing-impaired. These horns and lights are mounted throughout the building - usually in five or six locations on each floor. They are mounted high up on the wall so that they will not normally be inadvertently obstructed.
Fire alarms are also wired to the air handlers so that on activation of the fire alarms the air handlers will switch to a 100% exhaust function and the intakes will bring in 100% fresh (outside) air. This is done to exhaust any smoke in the system and to circulate fresh air. Fire department personnel also have manual control of the intake/exhaust system from the fire control panel on the first floor. They can, therefore, use the system to exhaust smoke or fumes at any time.
Another system feature is the ability to pressurize the stairwells. When the fire alarm sounds, fans in the stairwells will automatically turn on. These fans are sufficient to raise the air pressure by a few pounds and in so doing will cause a breeze in the stairwells. This breeze is sufficient to keep smoke from entering the stairwells when any of the doors are opened.
4. Fire Extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are located on every floor in convenient locations usually near the corners of the building. A word of caution about extinguishers: don't attempt to fight a fire unless you are trained to do so and then only after the fire alarm has been sounded and the fire department has been notified. In any case, do not put your own safety in jeopardy. The building and contents can be replaced, your life cannot. be replaced, your life cannot.
5. Security Alarms. Security alarms have been provided on the west side, ground floor exit doors as well as on the west side stairwell doors. These provide for a 30-second delay before the door latch releases and exit is possible. These delay devices were mandated by university fire codes and are intended to address fire emergencies to help prevent unauthorized (non-emergency) use of the doors and, specifically, as a deterrent to the theft of library materials. When the door alarm sounds, the police aide or a library staff member has 30 seconds to stop or to identify the thief or unauthorized user. The door alarms sound a very high-pitched squeal which is unmistakably different from the fire alarm. Everyone in the building, or even on the same floor, may not hear the door alarm. You will hear the fire alarm. The door alarms are connected electrically to the fire alarm system so that in case of a fire alarm the door locks will automatically release and cancel the 30-second delay. Emergency doors will be able to be opened immediately when the fire alarm sounds. (Note: except on the ground floor the security alarms have been turned off for the duration of the renovation to give added access for library users.)
6. Emergency Telephones. One emergency telephone is located on the loading dock. This is a so-called PERT phone and identified by a blue light. The PERT telephone is a hotline to the police dispatcher. The location of the caller is automatically transmitted to the police. There is one campus telephone located near the elevator (by the pay telephones) on the first floor. While not, strictly speaking, an emergency telephone, it could be used in such a situation. McKeldin staff also have access to some 180 other telephones located in work areas throughout the building.
Elevators are equipped with two-way communication speakers, and, on the wall to the left of the elevators on each floor, a control panel also has a two-way speaker phone. These devices, operated by pressing the red button, connect directly to campus Work Control where a person will respond. To operate simply press the red button; the dispatcher at Work Control will respond; speak into the wall mounted grille and describe the problem.
7. Emergency Lights. There is an emergency generator in the old building which will remain in operation during the renovation. This will provide sufficient electrical power to maintain lighting in all stair wells, and sufficient lighting on each floor to allow egress. Note that when the lights are turned off on each floor some will always remain on - these are the emergency lights. Also, all exit lights are equipped with battery backup or are wired to the emergency power source and will remain lighted during a power failure.
8. Smoke Detectors. There are smoke detectors on every floor. Stack floors will have about 42 detectors mounted at various locations on the ceilings. The basement, first and second floors are also equipped with smoke detectors but fewer of them than on the stack floors. In addition, some smoke detectors are mounted within the HVAC ducts and cannot be seen. On detection of smoke in the HVAC ducts, the air handlers affected will automatically shut down to prevent smoke from being circulated throughout the building.
Safety of the staff and patrons of the library was a major factor in the design of the building. No shortcuts were taken and no compromises were made in applying all applicable codes. There should be no fear on the part of the staff that the building is unsafe or that adequate warning systems will not signal any problems. However, no building can be constructed to prevent fire from being a possibility. Each person in the building must be safety-conscious and do all that is possible to prevent fire from having a chance to get started.
ADMINISTRATIVE MEMO # 13
Effective March 11, 1991Supersedes None
Suggested revisions to any Administrative Memo should be addressed to the Director for Planning & Administrative Services.
