| There is a CSA Standard for Emergency | | | | that will be caused. Have the number for your |
| Response called the Z731. In this Standard it | | | | building's electrician. Remind people that electricity |
| states that in every emergency there is an initial | | | | and water are a potentially fatal mix. Electricians |
| state of confusion and disbelief. When an | | | | can be extremely difficult people to reach after |
| emergency strikes there may be a time where | | | | hours. Have numbers for a second and even third |
| responders are overwhelmed and cannot deal | | | | alternative company just in case there are |
| adequately with the emergency. Through proper | | | | several other buildings being affected by the |
| preparation and planning the risk, loss and damage | | | | same situation. |
| can be minimized. | | | | The numbers for all internal and external |
| Preparation of an emergency response plan for | | | | resources should be readily available to all security |
| an apartment building can be divided into three | | | | personnel. If the building has no on site security |
| categories: organizational objectives, hazard | | | | then an emergency number should be posted on |
| vulnerabilities and identifying resources. First off | | | | the call board. It is extremely effective to have |
| we must be able to organize what the objectives | | | | these numbers on stickers or magnets and |
| are in an emergency. The objectives usually are | | | | posted in places that they cannot be missed. |
| preventing injuries or fatalities, preventing damage | | | | Once you know who to call and when to call |
| to property and a return to normal activities. | | | | them it is important to devise a list of do's and |
| The plan must identify who is to be called first. | | | | don'ts in your buildings. |
| The initial responder must have the authority to | | | | - In particular identify where the shut off valves |
| make decisions, this is especially important over | | | | are, if there are certain valves that should not be |
| the Christmas Holidays when the ability to contact | | | | touched mark them as such. |
| senior management may not be possible. A list of | | | | - If there are energy sources that may require |
| potentially hazardous situations should be compiled. | | | | locking out then have them identified |
| They usually fall into one of three categories- | | | | - Be sure on site personnel has an idea where the |
| natural hazards, manmade hazards and | | | | electrical and plumbing conduits are in the building |
| technological hazards. For the purposes of this | | | | - Never allow firestops to be compromised |
| article we will focus on the manmade/natural | | | | - Never touch any power sources while you are |
| hazards of water damage and fire and smoke | | | | wet |
| damage. Then a series of safe operating practices | | | | - Never enter wet electrical rooms |
| should be devised for each one of the potential | | | | - Be aware of water lines that may have |
| hazards that may be encountered. | | | | additives that are unsafe to the sanitary sewer |
| After having compiled your list of potential | | | | system such as roof top heating systems and |
| emergency situations it is fairly evident that the | | | | rust inhibitors in sprinkler systems |
| first thing to do in most situations is to call 911. | | | | - Evaluate the source of the water and if it is |
| This is what makes water damage so different | | | | potentially pathogenic ensure appropriate |
| as an emergency because 911 will not respond to | | | | engineering controls, safe work practices and |
| such a call. You must have a list of internal | | | | personal protective equipment are employed |
| resources who are able to respond such as the | | | | - Clearly define what mitigating your water |
| phone number of the caretaker/superintendent to | | | | damage means in your facility |
| turn off the water. These responders must know | | | | - Make sure the necessary building blueprints are |
| where the water shut off valves are. Having the | | | | available to emergency personnel |
| number for a plumber familiar with your building | | | | - Make it clear when an evacuation of the building |
| also helps. | | | | is required and how the evacuation is to be |
| Call the plumbing company you use and see if you | | | | conducted |
| can obtain the emergency after hours number for | | | | The main purpose of this article is to identify the |
| the person on call and a secondary number just in | | | | areas of concern during a flood that people who |
| case there is no answer. It is Christmas time we | | | | are not normally under the chain of command of |
| are preparing for here, the more numbers the | | | | the building may be required to make decisions on. |
| better. Make sure you have the number for a | | | | Always remember that the longer it takes to |
| disaster restoration company who offers 24/7 | | | | make a decision in a water damage situation the |
| service and be sure its a company you already | | | | more the water runs, the further it will go and |
| know responds quickly. When it comes to water | | | | the more damage it will cause. |
| damage the faster the response the less damage | | | | |