Fire Safety

Evacuation Procedure

The Blacksburg Fire Department responds to all fire alarms. All occupants must exit the building whenever a fire alarm sounds, regardless of the cause. When the general fire alarm sounds in your building, feel your room door. If cool, leave immediately, close the door, and proceed quickly and in an orderly fashion to the nearest exit. Stay out of the building until given the "all clear" signal by emergency personnel or housing and residence life staff. Failure to evacuate properly during a fire alarm is a serious breach of university policy. Use stairwells in the event of fire. Do not use elevators, which might become inoperable and trap occupants. Stairwell doors in residence halls are fire doors and must remain closed at all times. Never prop them open, especially when evacuating. If the door is hot, remain in the room, put towels or other material under the door, open the window from the top, and call 911.

In the event of fire emergency/alarm:

1. Keep your door keys handy, so you can easily grab them in the event of an emergency.
2. Feel the door with the back of your hand. If the door is cool, leave your room, close the door behind you, and proceed to the nearest exit. If your door is hot, go your room window and signal for help. Dial 911 and report your location.
3. If you see smoke or flame and the alarm is not sounding, pull the closest fire alarm and leave the building.
4. Stay close to the floor while escaping from a burning building. If smoke is present in the hallway or stairwell, remain close to the floor. Keep your mouth and nose covered with a wet cloth.
5. Do not use elevators during a fire alarm.
6. If you are unable to evacuate without special assistance or a modified plan, contact services for students with disabilities or housing and residence life.