LONGWOOD
U N I V E R S I T Y
Office of Environmental, Health, Safety & Emergency Management
Standard Operating Guideline # SG-1
FLOOR WARDEN SAFETY PROGRAM
I.
Purpose:
The purpose of the Floor Warden program is to ensure accountability when any building which houses University staff, faculty, contracted employees, or visitors is evacuated due to an emergency situation. The Floor Wardens are a designated staff or faculty member that is present in their building during the greatest number of days out of the calendar year.
II.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Floor Wardens are responsible for making sure that all persons on their assigned floor have exited their office or room during the event of an emergency evacuation. In the case of an emergency evacuation, Floor Wardens report to their designated area coordinator after an evacuation has been executed.
Floor Wardens are responsible for knowing: a) Their area coordinator and alternate area coordinator’s name, office location, and telephone number b) The designated tornado / severe weather area for their building c) The location of fire pull stations on their floor d) Their occupancy assembly points outside of their building e) Their primary and secondary emergency escape routes f) A general knowledge of where people are typically located on their designated floor g) The location of and proper use of a fire extinguisher h) If applicable, the location of first aid supplies and equipment such as an
AED and Evacuation Chair.
III.
Procedures:
A.
In the event of a fire alarm sounding, a severe weather / tornado alert, or any other signal or notification that requires persons to leave their offices or rooms and exit their floors, the Floor Wardens will ensure that persons on their assigned floor are exiting according to the emergency evacuation map posted on their floor.
B.
Floor Wardens will instruct persons on the floor to exit immediately.
C.
All staff and faculty will be trained with the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to shut off office and room lights and close the doors of the room then occupied.
This will be the signal that these areas have been evacuated. Floor Wardens will ensure that rooms with lights on and/or doors open have been evacuated.
A shout and/or loud bang on the door will suffice. Do not spend unnecessary time waiting for a response.
Version - August 2012

LONGWOOD
U N I V E R S I T Y
Office of Environmental, Health, Safety & Emergency Management
D.
If a Floor Warden finds a person or persons that require substantial assistance because of an injury, disability, or any other condition; then the
Floor Warden shall attempt to assist the person. If she is unable to do so, the
E.
Floor Warden shall immediately report this to the area coordinator, Campus
Police, or other emergency response personnel with the location of the person in need.
Once the Floor Warden reports to the occupancy assembly area, she will
F.
coordinate a head count with the other Floor Wardens and area coordinators.
If anyone appears to be missing, the area coordinator will notify the Campus
Police or other emergency response personnel.
Do NOT allow anyone to return to the building or work area until notified to do so by the area coordinator, Campus Police, or other emergency response personnel.
IV.
Fighting Fire
Floor Wardens are never expected to put themselves in danger to look for or assist trapped persons. Fire extinguishers should only be used on small fires
(i.e. smaller than a waste basket) and/or to assist individuals in the evacuation process. All Floor Wardens will be trained to recognize and use the most appropriate fire extinguisher assigned in their building. After such training, each
Floor Warden should be able to utilize the P.A.S.S method for fire extinguisher operations. a) P – Pull the safety pin and break the seal b) A
– Aim the nozzle/hose at the base of the fire c) S – Squeeze the trigger/handle gently d) S – Sweep the nozzle/hose from one side of the fire to the other.
Notify the area coordinator, Campus Police, or emergency response personnel that a fire extinguisher has been used and the location.
V.
Post Evacuation Role
Upon completion of the evacuation, all Floor Wardens must fill out the evacuation form attached. Should any points not be met, more detailed information should be supplied on the back of the form. Completed forms should be forwarded to the
Office of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Emergency Management
(OEHS&EM). Completion of these forms is an essential part of the continuing maintenance of the Floor Warden program.
Version - August 2012

LONGWOOD
U N I V E R S I T Y
Office of Environmental, Health, Safety & Emergency Management
VI.
On-Going Fire Safety
Floor Wardens are an important part of Longwood University’s health and safety program in-between drills and evacuations. As zone occupants with an interest in fire and personal safety, Wardens can watch for safety concerns in their area.
Reporting these problems promptly to the area coordinator or the Office of
Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management will help address unsafe conditions. Some of the fire safety concerns include but not limited to: a) Blocked exit doors b) Obstructed hallways, stairs, entrances and exits c) Accumulation of combustible materials d) Fire separation doors that are wedged open e) Missing fire extinguishers f) Burnt out light g) Burnt out exit signs h) Over-loaded electrical circuits i) Extension cords instead of permanent wiring j) Damaged fire monitoring equipment i.e. smoke sensors, heat detectors, pull stations k) Obstructed (within 18 inches) sprinkler heads, pull stations, fire extinguishers or any other fire detection or suppression equipment.
VII.
Training and Equipment:
All Floor Wardens are required to attend the following training: a) Floor Warden orientation b) Fire extinguisher c) Other procedures as required
All floor wardens will be issued the following “to go” kits with the minimum assigned supplies: a) Red jump bag b) Orange safety vest c) Battery operated flashlight d) Two luminescent sticks e) Whistle with lanyard f) Ink pen g) Note pad
Version - August 2012

LONGWOOD
U N I V E R S I T Y
Office of Environmental, Health, Safety & Emergency Management
1.
Were you in your area/zone when the alarm sounded? Yes No
2.
Using a copy of your evacuation plan, mark: a. The route that you took through your area, and b. The exit door through which you left the building.
3.
Did you encounter any people who would not leave the building? Yes No
4.
If yes, did you contact Campus Police or any other Emergency Response
Personnel? Yes No
5.
Did you encounter any challenges/difficulties? Yes No
6.
Did you hold open any doors, or assign someone to hold open doors? a.
During the exit Yes No b.
During the re-entry Yes No
7.
Was the training provided to you adequate for the drill/evacuation? Yes No
8.
Any additional comments.
9.
Please check the most accurate observation from the drill/evacuation.

People seemed to be prompt in leaving the building.

Upon leaving the building, however, they tended to crowd very closely to the exits.

In most cases, people stayed outside until being advised to reenter.

At a few locations, people had already re-entered the building by the time Campus Police or other emergency response personnel came around to tell them to re-enter the building.

People followed the directions of the clearly visible floor wardens.

The evacuation did not proceed smoothly,

Serious problems were encountered.
Version - August 2012