Life Safety (Excluding Fire Safety)

POLICY:

Per University of Tennessee System - Wide Policies on Safety and Health, the UTC Department of Safety and Risk Management will maintain information and data necessary to consult and/or determine appropriate compliance with life safety standards.

PROCEDURE:

The UTC Department of Safety and Risk Management will monitor compliance with the following requirements:

  1. MAINTENANCE:
    Every required exit will be free of obstructions and impediments to allow for easy egress.
  2. FIRE ALARM SYSTEM:
    In any building not provided with automatic fire detection facilities, or automatic sprinklers, a manual fire alarm system will be provided if the total capacity of the building is 500 persons or if more than 25 persons are employed below street level, except that no manual fire alarm system will be required in one-story buildings where the entire area is undivided and all parts thereof are clearly visible to all occupants.
  3. EMERGENCY AND EXIT LIGHTING:
  4. Illumination of means of egress is provided for every building and structure where artificial lighting is provided for normal use and occupancy of the building or structure.
  5. Every exit and the necessary ways to exit access thereof is illuminated to facilitate egress. Such illumination will be continuos during the time that conditions of occupancy require that the means of egress be available for use.
  6. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
  7. Protective clothing:
    Hard hats, aprons, gloves, sleeves, etc., are provided, used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition whenever it is necessary by reason of the hazards of the processes of environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in a function of any part of the body through absorption or physical contact.
  8. Bloodborne pathogen protection:
    All employees will use universal precautions in handling, clean-up or exposure to any blood, blood products or other named bodily fluid which can harbor bloodborne pathogens.
  9. Eye and face protection:
    Protective eye and face equipment is required where there is a reasonable probability of injury that can be prevented by such equipment. In such cases, supervisor shall make conveniently available a type of protector suitable for the work to be performed, and employees will use such protectors. No person will knowingly be subjected to a hazardous environmental condition. Suitable eye protection will be provided where machines or operations present the hazard of flying objects, glare, liquid splashes, injurious radiation, or a combination of these hazards.
  10. Eye and face protective equipment required by this part shall meet the requirements specified in ANSI.1-1968. Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection.
  11. Employees whose vision requires the use or corrective lenses in spectacles, will be protected by goggles over spectacles.
  12. Face and eye protection equipment will be kept clean and in good repair.
  13. Respiratory Protection:
  14. Respirators shall be provided by the department when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of the user.
  15. STORAGE AND USE OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS:
    For the purpose of this procedure, flammable liquids may be defined as those liquids with a flash point of 100 degree F. or less and having a vapor pressure not exceeding forty PSI (absolute) at 100 degree F.
  16. Flammable liquids in excess of five gallons will not be stored in buildings except for areas designed for this type of storage.
  17. Flammable liquids will be stored in standard safety cans labeled as to contents.
  18. All paint will be stored in sealed containers and all paint brushes will be cleaned of any flammable liquids.
  19. PUBLIC ASSEMBLY BUILDING AND STUDENT HOUSING:
  20. In order to ensure the timely evacuation of buildings in the event of fire or other emergencies, all exits will be properly marked and illuminated.
  21. Exit doors must open outward and be in proper working order.
  22. Doors will not be locked while groups of persons are present in the building.
  23. Exit doors in theaters, large assembly halls, and classroom buildings will be equipped with panic hardware in usable condition.
  24. Exit doors must not be blocked or barred when buildings are in use.
  25. All aisles and hallways leading to exits must be kept free of debris, storage or other obstructions at all times.
  26. Landings, stairs and steps should be equipped with the proper number of handrails maintained in good condition.
  27. Exit routes must be adequately illuminated.
  28. Floor surfaces must be kept clean, in good condition and cleared of hazards.
  29. All exit lights must maintained in good order.
  30. MECHANICAL ROOMS:
    Mechanical rooms shall be kept clean at all times and will not be used as storage areas for any materials.