Metuchen Public Library

The Metuchen Public Library is equipped with a fire alarm system. In the event of a fire, the fire alarm system should activate at the first detection of smoke.

The time to think about fires is before they happen. Familiarize yourself with the location of fire extinguishers and emergency exits in the building. Please help orient fellow staff and volunteers to this information.

At the First Indication of Smoke or Flame:

• If there is any doubt whether the fire can be controlled, activate one of the fire alarm pull stations (located at each exit) and then call 911 immediately.
• Ask all patrons to calmly vacate the premise temporarily.
• The most senior library staff member will investigate the situation to determine the location and extent of the fire.
• If the fire can be contained and extinguished quickly and safely by staff, proceed to do so.
• At NO point will a library employee put his/her safety at risk.

In the Event of the Fire Alarm Goes Off:

• Each employee working at the time of a fire shall be responsible for making a quick check of the immediate area in which she/he is working for patrons and will assist in directing them to the nearest exit.
• Designated staff shall oversee the evacuation of the building.
• Other employees are to evacuate the building immediately.
• The elevator is not to be used.
• Employees should not take time to turn off equipment or to collect personal belongings.
• It is important that everyone exit quickly and safely as possible.
• All employees are to proceed to the lawn, the designated area for safe evacuation and remain there, leaving the parking lots at the back entrance clear for fire personnel.
• The employee with the most seniority will take a head count and ensure with other staff that everyone is accounted for.
• No one is to re-enter the Library until fire personnel announce it is safe.
• If the emergency occurs when the Library Director is absent, upon returning to the building, write an incident report to describe the situation and outcome.

In the Event of a False Fire Alarm:

• If it has been determined that it is a false fire alarm, police dispatch should be called at 732-632-8500 to report the alarm was tripped.
• Do not attempt to reset the alarm system. Fire personnel are required under NJ State Fire Code to reset the alarm to ensure the activation was accidental and to put any devices such as pull stations back in working order.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES

Patrons and employees will be evacuated to a Safety Zone on the lawn located between the Library and Boro Hall, the designated area for safe evacuation, leaving the parking lots at the back entrance clear for fire personnel.

Children’s Room 

• Children’s Room Employee – will check Children’s Room, Children’s store room, Community Room, stair well, place between Community Room and Children’s Room.
• Lead patrons to Safety Zone through Children’s Room Exit or Side Door Exit.

Main Service Desk 

• Service Desk Employee 1 – will check the main floor stack area, Makerspace, restrooms, Boiler Room, Reference Office and Director’s Office.
• Service Desk Employee 2 – will check Processing Room, Grimstead Room, Storage Room, Staff restroom, Activity Room, kitchen, lower level Boiler Room, Electrical Room and Elevator Storage Room.
• Unassigned personnel should lead patrons to Safety Zone through front or back entrance.

When Fire Personnel have given the OK, Employee A, B and C will enter the building first to prepare their workstation as quickly as possible to resume service to the public. When ready, Employee B will notify the remaining staff and patrons the Library has reopened.

Distributed and Reviewed September 9, 2014

1st Reading October 14, 2014

2nd Reading and Adopted December 9, 2014