Collage

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