Emergency Procedures

In case a fire alarm is set off during library hours and evacuation is necessary, it is a good idea to have some idea of what to say to English-speaking visitors. For many Thais, speaking English is a challenge under normal circumstances. In the event of an emergency, it is even more challenging to speak English clearly. A little preparation and thought in advance may help us feel more ready for the challenge in case it ever occurs. If an alarm rings and evacuation is ordered, we might say to English-speaking library visitors, while pointing in the right direction:

The nearest exit is this way.

or

The exit is this way.

or

This way out.

If readers are taking too much time collecting all their belongings and it is important for them to leave the building, we can remind them kindly:

Never mind about all that, it is important to leave now.

or

Everyone must leave now.

or

Please do not wait to collect personal belongings.

If visitors have specific questions about what the problem is, a general response can be:

There will be a general announcement as soon as we know.

A fire alarm is understood everywhere in the world, so there should not be much need for explanation of exactly what the problem is. Making sure that the readers leave in an orderly fashion is useful, and it is a good idea to tell anyone who seems to be running:

Be careful.

If some English-speaking readers are seen waiting for elevators, we should inform them, while pointing in the direction of the nearest emergency exit:

Please do not use the elevators. Use the stairwells. 

or, pointing in the right direction, just say:

The stairs are this way.

If there are any disabled readers in the library at the time of an emergency, it is particularly important for staff to offer special assistance in getting out. Some elderly or injured readers may have trouble walking up the stairs quickly. If possible, staff should create a plan to offer targeted help for these readers before any incident occurs. Some university libraries suggest that disabled readers register with the library circulation desk staff to develop a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP), as recommended by universities. This includes not just people who may have difficulty walking upstairs, but also people with hearing impairment, who may not be able to hear alarms. Deaf people and those with hearing impairments working alone may need an alternative method of being alerted to an emergency. Some university libraries offer a vibrating pager system and one can be borrowed from the library circulation desk desk at some universities. For blind and partially sighted persons (staff, visitors, and students), some preparation can help to avoid a stressful situation. When they first visit the TU Libraries, readers with visual impairments might bring a designated helper to help with orientation inside the buildings and also to develop their own Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). This kind of preparation is especially useful in case of emergency evacuations. Once everyone has left the building, staff may be useful in asking English-speaking visitors:

Please keep the area in front of the entrance clear.

It may also be helpful to advise anyone waiting too close to the library:

Please stay clear of the building by at least forty feet.

It is important to leave room for the fire department or other emergency workers, and if too many readers are standing in front of the library entrance, they may get in the way of these workers. In case of a problem that will take a long time, readers waiting for news should be informed of how much time the whole process should take. In case of a false alarm, after a while it should be possible to enter the library again. When any alarm stops ringing, it usually takes time before people can enter a building again, because the alarm panel must be reset. Also, staff must be allowed to enter the building first, before library visitors are permitted to enter. After staff has returned to the building, and the library is ready to function again, we may say to those who are waiting to return to their studies:

The library is open again.

or

We are open for business again.

or

Back to work.

(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)