Tenant Handbook


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Fire and Life Safety Systems

Central Fire Alarm System

The Russ Building is equipped with an electronic fire/life safety system, which is monitored by on site personnel and remotely 24 hours a day. The fire annunciator panel located in the main lobby provides fire department personnel and building management with the location of the alarm in the event of a fire.

 

The main components of the fire/life safety system are smoke detectors, pull stations and a fire sprinkler system. Smoke detectors and pull stations function as early warning devices. When a smoke detector or pull station is activated, fire alarms sound on that floor, as well as one floor above and two floors below.

 

We must periodically test the life safety system, as required by city code. Smoke detector and sprinkler tests are usually performed with no interruption to tenants. Alarms and strobes are almost always tested on weekends.

An annual fire drill will be held for each floor. Drills may seem disruptive but this allows us to ensure that the system is working properly and repair any faults the system may have. It also allows you to practice what to do in the event of an emergency, without the panic of a true emergency. The Building Office will send out advanced notification of drill dates. Our Life Safety Director also hosts annual life safety training sessions for Tenant Fire Wardens. The meetings last for about 30 minutes. Prior to the class, a letter will be sent out with a list of dates. All Tenant Fire Wardens are encouraged to attend. Upon notification, you can sign up through the Building Office. The Life Safety Director is also available throughout the year to provide tenant staff training. Contact the Building Office for more information.

 

We request that you designate a Fire Warden for your office, as well as an alternate or two. Other life safety team members include stair exit wardens, elevator safety monitor, and searchers. Click here to view the “Russ Building Life Safety Plan” for more detailed information about these positions. Names of all life-safety team members should be available to your company as well as kept on file at the Building Office and updated as necessary.

 

The office warden should be aware of any physically challenged individuals who would require assistance exiting the building. A confidential list should be forwarded to the Building Office for the fire department’s use in case of emergency.

 

If fire or smoke is detected in the building:

  • Pull the nearest fire alarm
  • Call 911
  • Notify the Building Office
  • Leave the floor via EXIT stairwell, as instructed over the public address system. Do not use elevators!

 

Assisting Visitors Unfamiliar with Building

Please be aware that if visitors are present during an emergency, your Emergency Team needs to assist the visitor in evacuating the premises. If a visitor sign-in sheet is maintained at your front desk, we suggest someone be assigned to bring that information to the Suite Monitor after evacuating the building in order to help facilitate an accurate head-count.

 

Above all, everyone involved needs to keep their own safety in mind and allow the Fire Department to take control.