Emergency evacuations

If you're a student or staff member, please watch the stay safe at UTS video so you know how to evacuate safely in an emergency.

Transcript

[Upbeat electronic music]

Wherever you are at UTS, safety comes first – it’s everyone’s responsibility.

Security staff are in most key buildings to help maintain a safe and healthy environment for students and staff.

But we need your help to keep our campus safe.

Call us straight away in an emergency. Or contact us from an Orange Help point.

Incidents, thefts or security problems should all be reported.

Security staff are first-aid trained and can help with injuries or illness.

Because emergencies sometimes happen, make sure you’re prepared. Check out the emergency procedure signage, especially in areas you visit frequently. Know how to find your closest exit and assembly area.

In a blackout, look for emergency lighting and follow the bright green signs to the exits.

If there’s an emergency, you’ll hear two different alarm sounds.

BEEP BEEP BEEP means prepare to evacuate. Turn off gas, flames or equipment that could be dangerous if left unattended.

WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP means you must evacuate the building.

Don’t try and leave the way you came in – make sure you follow the green emergency signs and move quickly to the nearest fire exit.

Don’t use the lifts, it might not be safe. Use the fire stairs.

Follow the direction of wardens wearing red hats, as well as security staff.

Check if others need assistance. If they do, help them move to the fire stairs or the fire stairs door. Then, contact Security staff or emergency services to report where they are.

Fire curtain are installed in Building 2, at the escalators and Double Helix Staircase, outside the Hive Superlab, and in the Library

If a fire curtain is closing in front of you, just go back the way you came. Then, follow the green emergency signs to the fire exit. Just push on the door – it’ll be unlocked in an emergency.

After evacuating, don’t stand near building exits.

Don’t go back inside until you get the all-clear from a Security Officer or emergency services.

Look after yourself and others in an emergency with these simple tips.

[Upbeat electronic music]

Teaching staff, please visit Staff Connect for details of your responsibilities in an evacuation.

• Listen for the evacuation alarm to sound. It consists of two tones:

1. Stand-by-and-prepare-to-evacuate tone – a Beep...Beep...Beep... sound 
2. Evacuate tone – a Whoop...Whoop...Whoop... sound accompanied by a voice message advising evacuation of the building. 

• Do not attempt to combat a fire – leave it to professionally trained personnel. 
• Staff members, please take students or visitors with you during an evacuation of the building. 
• Assist any person with a disability. 
• Take only your immediate belongings – do not waste time! 
• Evacuate the building via the fire stairs or signed exits. Do not use lifts. 
• Follow directions from security officers or fire wardens. 
• Move quickly but do not run. 
• Do not return to the building until the 'all clear' is given – normally be advised by the security officer on duty on the advice of the emergency services personnel in attendance.

• Break glass alarms are located in all buildings on campus. Find out more about alarms on campus and when they should be activated (opens UTS intranet link).

A lockdown of the campus will be instructed when there is a dangerous person on site, such as an armed individual, and it is not safe to evacuate.

Lockdowns involve the systematic locking of all doors electronically. During a lockdown, you won’t be able to use your swipe card to open doors. You will be notified that a lockdown is happening by a PA announcement, in person, or via UTS social media or a text message. 

It’s essential that you follow these instructions during a lockdown for your own safety:

• close and secure doors by any means
• close blinds and cover windows
• silence all devices, including phones
• if you must communicate, do so via text message
• turn off all lights
• stay alert, keep quiet and stay out of sight
• wardens- if safe to do so assist with locking doors, closing blinds and moving people to areas of safety 
• follow instructions from UTS Security or emergency services. 

A shelter in place will be instructed when any other external threat exists, such as extreme weather or gas leaks, and it may be more dangerous to evacuate than to remain at your location.

Shelter in place involves seeking safety within a building one already occupies, rather than evacuating. You will be notified that a shelter in place is being instructed by a PA announcement, in person, or via UTS social media or a text message.

1. During a shelter in place, it may be safe continue to work and walk around the building .
2. Wardens: if safe to do so, check designated areas are secure/safe and assist with moving people to areas of safety.
3. Regular communications will take place during a shelter in place. Follow instructions from UTS Security.