If no one is able to assist you down the stairs, proceed to the stairwell or designated area of refuge and inform other evacuees that you need immediate rescue. If you are unable to make your way to the stairwell or area of refuge, ask several individuals to activate the fire alarm on your floor. This will alert the fire rescue team by illuminating the light on the annunciator panel zoned for your floor and will initiate a direct response to your floor. Also, ask individuals to inform rescuers of your whereabouts. While you are waiting, position yourself so that your face is as close to the floor as possible.
Smoke invades upper space first and most of the available oxygen is near the floor.
If smoke becomes too dense to breathe, place clothing or some other heavy cloth over your nose and mouth to filter as much smoke as possible until help arrives. Response time for first responders to fires is less than five minutes. Open Flames and Fireworks Unapproved appliances which produce exposed elements or open flames such as coleman stoves, fondue pots, candles, gas lanterns, hibachi grills, torches, oil lamps and fire works are disallowed on campus unless approved for use by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. All University buildings are inspected annually by the State Fire Marshal for the purpose of ensuring that such buildings comply with all applicable State Fire Codes. All fire code deficiencies identified are subsequently noted in a detailed report and forwarded to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety to coordinate corrective actions.