Dan Black Hall Emergency Procedures
Fume Hoods / Building Exhaust Failure
In Dan Black Hall (DBH), sixteen exhaust fans interconnect with the 130 fume
hoods to provide ventilation for the building. These fans
exhaust into nine plenums on the roof. Each exhaust fan system
is connected to Central Plant with an alarm. Each hood has
a local alarm. Should there be a fume hood failure or loss
of one or all of the exhaust systems, there is the potential
for hazardous materials used in the hoods to expose lab occupants.
Gases and vapors could be drawn into the hallways creating
a potential exposure to building occupants.
Fume Hood Failure
- 1. When the face velocity of the fume hood falls below 60
fpm, a local alarm will sound at the fume hood.
- 2. Reduce the fume hood sash to the minimum level for all
hoods in alarm.* If chemical odors are detected, the instructor
should quickly evacuate the room at their discretion.
- A. Press the reset button above the fume hood.
- B. If the alarm does not clear, close other fume hoods
in the area and press the reset buttons.
- 3. Notify Safety (x7233) and Facilities Management Service
Center (x3494).
- 4. EH&IS will respond and assist the instructor in determining
if evacuation is necessary.
*Reducing the fume hood sash to the minimum level may take
the hood out of alarm condition.
Building Power / Exhaust Fan Failure
- 1. Close all fume hood sashes to the minimum level.
- 2. Shut down all equipment.
- 3. Turn off ignition sources.
- 4. Secure or isolate reactions that are underway.
- 5. Close laboratory doors.
- 6. Evacuate the building. Notify University Police and, at
their direction, pull the building alarm.
- 7. University Police will notify EH&IS (x7233) and Physical
Plant.
- 8. EH&IS to respond and determine whether the building
is safe for occupancy.
SLC occupants must ensure that phone numbers located on their
lab doors are accurate and updated.
Building Fire Alarm Activation
- 1. Only if time permits, isolate hazardous reactions and
experiments, turn off ignition sources, close fume hoods
and turn off critical equipment.
- 2. Close laboratory doors.
- 3. Evacuate the building. Move 150 feet from the building.
Please Note: in an actual emergency, the area between DBH
and McCarthy Hall could be hazardous, i.e. breaking glass, smoke,
etc. A safer location is the lawn area south of DBH.
- 4. Building Marshals should assist occupants in evacuating
the building. Report occupants remaining in the building
to University Police. Assist University Police in securing
all building entrances.
- 5. Occupants should report all information relevant to the
evacuation to University Police.
- 6. If there is no apparent reason for the alarm's activation
and it can be silenced at the alarm panel, University Police
will give the all clear signal after consulting with Environmental
Health and Instructional Safety.
Revised: 01/28/2008 CH