FSO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Table of Contents:

  1. Does every Augusta University building have a fire alarm and automatic sprinklers?
  2. Does the Fire Department charge area institutions every time they respond to a fire alarm?
  3. How often do the fire extinguishers get checked?
  4. What does it mean when the fire alarm panel is beeping but the alarm isn't going off?
  5. How do I report a work-related accident? What happens if I need medical treatment?
  6. As an Augusta University employee, am I required to participate in fire drills and other emergency procedure testing?
  7. Why do we call 1-2911 (Public Safety) for problems like spills, strange odors, water leaks and equipment malfunctions?
  8. Does Augusta University have a safety committee?
  9. When my area is inspected, who is responsible for the correction of the problems found?
  10. What happens if I report a safety hazard?

1. Does every Augusta University building have a fire alarm and automatic sprinklers?

Answer: All of the Augusta University buildings that are required by code to have a fire alarm or sprinklers, have them. Many of the older, one-story, smaller buildings are not required to have either because of the limited operations in the building. This is why it is so important to be familiar with the Code 17 fire plan.

2. Does the Fire Department charge area institutions every time they respond to a fire alarm?

Answer: No. Also, the fire department does not respond to every fire alarm in campus buildings. The Augusta University Police respond to fire alarms and only call for the fire department when they are needed for a fire.

3. How often do the fire extinguishers get checked?

Answer: Fire extinguishers are checked in the institution's sensitive areas every month and in other campus buildings every quarter. They are inspected in detail annually. Extinguishers have to be sent out to be tested and re-certified continuously. 

4. What does it mean when the fire alarm panel is beeping but the alarm isn't going off?

Answer: A trouble condition has occurred in the system. This may mean a detector needs to be cleaned or has been removed by the electricians to keep it from being damaged while some other work is going on. If you hear one beeping call Public Safety to check the system.

5. How do I report a work-related accident? What happens if I need medical treatment?

Answer: Employees involved in an accident are required to complete an Employee's Report of Accident/Injury, form Augusta University 419/80-6800. All accidents must be reported regardless of whether medical treatment is required. The completed form is taken to Employee Health for evaluation during regular business hours. After hours the form is taken to Emergency Services. If treatment is required, a Workman's Compensation claim for the treatment cost is initiated by the Human Resources Division.

6. As an Augusta University employee, am I required to participate in fire drills and other emergency procedure testing?

Answer: Yes. All staff are required to participate in emergency drills. The only exception would be staff that are involved with administering direct patient care at the time of the drill. Patients and visitors are not required to participate in testing exercises but should be informed as to the nature of the activity.

7. Why do we call 1-2911 (Public Safety) for problems like spills, strange odors, water leaks and equipment malfunctions?

Answer: The Police dispatcher is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Someone will always answer the emergency line. They have the phone/pager numbers to call for appropriate help to resolve these type incidents.

8. Does Augusta University have a safety committee?

Answer: Yes. The Campus Safety Committee is appointed with staff from various departments in their respective areas. The committee is a multi-disciplinary team with ex-officio members that serve other committees.

9. When my area is inspected, who is responsible for the correction of the problems found?

Answer: The correction of violations is the responsibility of the area manager where the problem is found. Most issues we cite are operational problems that require a change in the staff practices that can only be brought about by their supervisors.

10. What happens if I report a safety hazard?

Answer: The issue will be investigated and recommendations for improvement will be made. Contact us at the Fire Safety Office at 721-3024, or via e-mail , or the EH&S feedback form . Often these issues can require renovation (planning, design, approvals, funding, demolition, construction, etc.) and result in a long term project.