Emergency Building Evacuation

Policy

Loyola University New Orleans’ emergency evacuation policy was established to provide information and guidelines to all Loyola community members regarding safe and orderly evacuation of buildings in the event of an emergency. Loyola is committed to providing a safe environment for Loyola's students, staff, faculty and visitors. Your assistance in the full exercise of this policy could help save your life or someone else's.

Loyola University requires all persons to leave any facility where an emergency evacuation alarm is activated as promptly as possible via the nearest available exit. If an alarm has not been activated, but it becomes clear that an emergency exists, all persons must leave immediately. Alarm pull stations should be activated upon exit.

No one is expected to endanger him or herself in order to effect or assist with evacuation of others, but everyone has a duty to ensure that other occupants are aware of an emergency. Similarly, it is expected that individuals will, to the best of their ability, aid anyone requiring assistance to safely evacuate.

Procedure

Emergency Evacuation

Loyola has adopted a system of evacuation management that will be specifically designed for each building. Each building, floor and office has coordinators who will systematically scan their areas to ensure everyone has evacuated and report to the next level coordinator.

Evacuation of Disabled Persons

The emergency evacuation alarm systems in most University facilities include visual and audible signaling devices, which should alert sensory impaired persons to alarm conditions. If, while evacuating, you notice someone not responding to the alarm, please be sure they are aware of the emergency.

DO NOT USE ELEVATORS. Elevators cannot safely be used for emergency egress, and are typically programmed to cease operating when a fire alarm is activated.

Designated Emergency Assistance Locations (D.E.A.L.) have been identified within each Loyola building (typically near emergency egress stairways) which wheelchair users can reach on their own, and where they can await assistance from rescue personnel in a position that does not impede or prevent emergency egress by other occupants.

Disabled persons (e.g., persons with physical, visual, or hearing impairments, etc.) have the primary responsibility for requesting assistance. It is suggested that disabled persons prepare for emergencies ahead of time by learning the locations of exit corridors, exit stairways, and D.E.A.L.s, by planning an escape route, and by showing a classmate or instructor how to assist him/her in case of emergency. In addition, disabled persons who cannot speak loudly should carry a whistle or have some other means for attracting the attention of another.

Emergency Evacuation Signs

By each elevator, a sign is posted with a floor plan indicating the location of exit stairways and the location of Designated Emergency Assistance Locations (D.E.A.L.) and the wheelchair symbol. Wording: “In an emergency, do not use elevators. Use the stairs or (insert or superimpose the wheelchair symbol) the Designated Emergency Assistance Location (D.E.A.L.).”

The D.E.A.L. should be labeled and marked with the wheelchair symbol. Each D.E.A.L. is assigned a number like “2A” pictured. This number indicates that this location is a primary DEAL on the second floor. “A” is primary, “B” is secondary. Disabled persons are encouraged to use the primary location if possible, and the secondary only if necessary.