Academic and Administrative Building Fire Safety

Do not let preventable fire incidents happen to you:

• Unattended/careless use of candles: No open flames are allowed inside any Tufts University building.
• Combustible materials too close to a heat source: Clothing and furnishings must not be placed closer than 3 feet from any portable space heater. Only oil-filled, radiated space heaters are permitted in Tufts University buildings.
• Halogen torchiere lamps are prohibited from all Tufts University buildings.
• Improper/careless disposal of smoking materials: Smoking is prohibited in all Tufts University buildings.
• Make sure smoking materials are fully extinguished.

When the fire alarm sounds in your building

• Immediately evacuate to the outside.
• Know two ways out, such as another stairway, an emergency exit, or a fire escape.
• The fire alarm system is designed to give you an early warning when there is a smoke or fire condition in your building.
• Assume there is a fire even if you do not see smoke in your immediate area.
• NEVER use an elevator in ANY building once the fire alarm is sounding… USE THE STAIRS.

Remember, how you react in a real emergency depends upon how well you have prepared yourself before it happens. Familiarize yourself with the two exits closest to your area and REACT to all fire alarms.

What do I do if I discover a fire in a building?

• Do not panic! If you discover a fire or smoke condition in a building, activate the fire alarm immediately by pulling any red fire alarm pull station located on the wall near every exit door, then from a safe area call 911 to alert the fire department; then call 66911 to alert TUPD.
• Evacuate to the outside, and warn others on the way out.
• ONCE OUT OF THE BUILDING, STAY OUT!
• If a fire is in a room or small area, confine the spread of the smoke and fire by closing the room doors before leaving the building, but only if it is safe to do.
• Seek out the first arriving personnel, campus police, firefighter, and TEMS, and give them the specific location of the fire or smoke.

Area of Gathering

During an emergency evacuation of any campus building, the occupants need to assemble at a safe distance away from the building. Should the reason for the evacuation not be resolved in a short period, you will be advised to relocate to an Area of Gathering where information regarding the reason for the evacuation and duration.

Area of Relocation

In the unlikely event that the building or portion of the building becomes compromised to the extent that reoccupation is prohibited, you will be directed to an Area of refuge.

Please review the Lists of Areas of Gathering and Relocation.