Fire
Prevention Plan: For Schools
Berryessa Union School District
1376 Piedmont Road, San Jose CA
95132
408-923-1800
Updated March 2019
FIRE PREVENTION PLAN FOR SCHOOL SITES
Purpose
To protect our employees, students, and occupants from the dangers of fire, Berryessa Union School
District has developed a fire prevention plan to reduce the risk of potential injuries, death and property
damage. This plan’s purpose is to identify and control fire hazards.
Authority
California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3221
OSHA Regulation 1910.39 Fire Prevention Plans
BUILDING PROFILE AND FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS
Berryessa Union School District serves PreK-8th grade students in Santa Clara County. The District
serves a community of approximately 45,000 homes and has almost 7,200 students enrolled in
kindergarten through eighth grade. More than 800 certificated and classified Berryessa employees work
daily at 10 elementary schools and three middle schools as teachers, administrators, and other support
staff.
The Administrative Offices consist of a main district office building located at 1376 Piedmont Road San
Jose, CA. and the BUSD Corporation Yard located at 945 Piedmont Road, San Jose, CA.
ALARMS & EVACUATION SYSTEMS
Alarm Systems
Main Fire Alarm Control Panel
Fire Alarm pulls
Type of Alarm
Single Stage Two Stage Interconnected Smoke Alarms
Fire Protection Devices
Smoke Alarms (Battery or hardwire in units)
Emergency Lighting (Battery powered)
Smoke Detectors (Alarm System)
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Heat Detectors
Fire Extinguishers
Evacuation Communications System (PA)
Voice Communication System
Kitchen Hood Suppression System
Other
Evacuation Information
All sites have designed assembly areas during an evacuation.
Re-Entry Procedures: Wait for approval from Fire Official or Incident Commander.
UTILITY PROVISIONS
Electrical, Utility & Fuel Supplies
Water Main Shut off Main Electrical Shut off
Natural Gas Shut off Fuel Oil/Diesel Shut off
REFUSE
Garbage Location: Parking Lot area
EMERGENCY CONTACTS AND KEYHOLDERS
Miguel Cruz, Director of MOT
945 Piedmont Road
San Jose, CA 95132
(408) 923-1898 Office
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
The actions to be taken by staff in emergency situations.
IN CASE OF FIRE
UPON DISCOVERY OF FIRE:
• LEAVE FIRE AREA IMMEDIATELY
• CLOSE DOORS
• SOUND FIRE ALARM
• CALL 911
• LEAVE BUILDING VIA NEAREST EXIT
UPON HEARING FIRE ALARM
• LEAVE BUILDING VIA NEAREST EXIT
• CLOSE DOOR BEHIND YOU
CAUTION
IF SMOKE IS HEAVY IN THE CORRIDOR IT MAY BE SAFER TO STAY IN YOUR AREA.
CLOSE DOOR AND ATTEMPT TO SEAL OFF ANY CRACKS. IF YOU ENCOUNTER SMOKE IN
THE STAIRWAY, USE ALTERNATE EXIT.
FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT, CONTROL OR CONFINEMENT
Upon discovery of a small fire and only if you are trained in the use of portable fire extinguishing
equipment, attempt to extinguish the fire. (Note: this is a voluntary act). In the Event a small fire cannot
be extinguished with the use of a portable fire extinguisher or if the smoke presents a hazard to the
operation, then the door to the area should be closed to confine and contain the fire, leave the fire area,
ensure that the Fire Department has been notified and wait for the Fire Department.
FIRE HAZARDS
In order to avoid fire hazards in the building:
• Do not put burning materials into garbage cans
• Avoid unsafe cooking practices.
• Do not use unsafe electrical appliances, frayed extension cords, or overloaded outlets
• Properly store flammable materials in approved containers and locked, metal cabinets.
In general, students and staff are advised to:
• Keep fire routes clear
• Know where the alarm pull stations and exits are located.
• In the case of an emergency call 911.
• Know the correct building address.
• Use good housekeeping
FIRE ALARM PROCEDURES FOR CUSTODIAN OR HIS DESIGNATE
• Ensure that the fire alarm has been activated
• Notify the Principal of the emergency conditions
TELEPHONE: 9-1-1
• Upon arrival of the fire fighters, inform the fire officer regarding conditions of the building
• Provide access and vital information to the firefighters (e.g. master keys for classrooms, service
rooms, etc.)
SEE THAT THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM IS NOT SILENCED UNTIL THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT HAS RESPONDED AND THE CAUSE OF THE ALARM HAS BEEN
INVESTIGATED.
• Silence and reset the fire alarm systems at the fire alarm control panel when directed to do so by
the Fire Department. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT SILENCE OR RESET THE
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. The fire alarm control panel has alarm silencing and alarm reset
buttons.
THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING:
In the event of a fire:
• Ensure that the fire alarm has been activated
• Notify the Fire Department of the emergency
• DIAL: 9-1-1
• Arrange for the custodian or his designate to contact the Fire Department in your absence
• Supervise the evacuation of the students
• See that the alarm system is not silenced until the Fire Department has responded and the cause of
the alarm has been investigated.
IN GENERAL:
• Keep doors to stairways closed at all times. Use of wedges to hold corridor and stairwell doors
open is prohibited.
• Keep stairways, landings, hallways, passageways and exits inside and outside, clear of any
obstructions at all times.
• Do not permit combustible waste materials to accumulate in quantities or locations which will
constitute a fire hazard.
• Promptly remove all combustible waste from all areas where waste is placed for disposal.
• Keep access roadways, fire routes and fire routes clear and accessible for Fire Department use.
• Have a working knowledge of the fire alarm system and how to reset the fire alarm panel.
• In the event of any shutdown of fire protection equipment notify the Fire Department and your
Principal/Manager and patrol the hallways once every hour.
PARTICIPATE IN FIRE DRILLS:
• Students and staff participation in the fire drill is mandatory
• Emergency procedures must be followed at all times.
• Follow the Incident Command System established by each site.
• Assure that checks, inspections and tests, as required by the fire code, are completed on schedule
and that records are retained.
• Notify the Chief Fire Official regarding changes in the Fire Safety Plan.
• Be in complete charge of the approved Fire Safety Plan and the specific responsibilities of the
personnel.
• Educate and train staff on emergency evacuation procedures, fire safety equipment and alternate
exits in the case the main exit is blocked.
• A schematic and emergency procedure has been prepared and posted by each exit which shows
type, location and operation of fire emergency systems, exits and evacuation staging areas.
• The Fire Prevention Plan is posted on the Berryessa Union School District website.
• A procedure is in place to evacuate endangered occupants such as individuals with special needs
and include alternate means of egress for all persons involved.
TRAINING OF STAFF
All staff will be trained on fire prevention and evacuation procedures annually. Drills will be conducted
periodically throughout the year.
RENTAL OR EXTRA-CURRICULAR OCCUPANTS:
In the event of a fire:
• Ensure that the fire alarm has been activated.
• Supervise the evacuation of people in your responsibility. Do not let visitors leave.
• Perform head counts to ensure all people are accounted for
• Report to the Incident Commander or Fire Chief any discrepancies
FIRE DRILLS
The purpose of a fire drill is to ensure that the students and staff are familiar with emergency evacuation
procedures, resulting in orderly evacuation with efficient use of exit facilities. Fire drill procedures
address student and staff accountability in an evacuation. The site Incident Command System must be
followed.
• Teachers and students should use an alternate exit for one of the required drills in order to
simulate a real emergency.
• Debrief after a drill with staff to strengthen the evacuation procedure.
• Fire Drills must be conducted for each site in accordance with the frequencies stated in the fire
code.
• A Fire Drill Record must be kept and retained at the site for 12 months.
ALTERNATIVE MEASURES FOR OCCUPANT FIRE SAFETY
In the event of any shutdown of fire equipment and systems, the principal or teacher-in-charge shall
notify the building occupants and post instructions on each floor in front of the elevator(s) or by the area
affected
The Principal or teacher-in-charge shall notify the fire alarm system monitoring company that here is
malfunctioning equipment or systems.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES FOR FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM
CHECK, INSPECT, TEST REQUIREMENTS OF THE FIRE CODE.
According to the Fire Code, all records of tests and corrective measures will be retained for a period of
two years after they are made.
PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Task Inspection
• Inspect all portable fire extinguishers monthly
• Fire Department inspection Annually
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Task Inspection
• Check fire alarm AC power lamp and trouble light.
• Check trouble conditions. Check central alarm and control facility
MEANS OF EGRESS
Task Inspection
• Inspect all doors in fire separations
• Check all doors in fire separations to ensure that they are closed.
• Maintain exit signs to ensure that they are clear and legible.
• Maintain exit lights to ensure that they are illuminated and in good repair.
• Maintain corridors free of obstructions
FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS
Task Inspection
• Ensure streets, yards and private roadways provided for Fire Department access are kept clear.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT, DUCTING, AND CHIMNEYS
Task Inspection
• Check hoods, filters and ducts subject to accumulation of combustible deposits and clean as
• necessary
• Inspect disconnect switches for mechanical HVAC units.
• Inspect controls for air handling systems used for venting
FIRE PROTECTION MEASURES
In the event of fire the purpose of a fire alarm system is to alert all the occupants of the building that an
emergency of fire exists, so that such occupants may put into practice the measures required by the Fire
Safety Plan.
All fire alarm systems shall be maintained in full operation condition at all times. A single stage system
sounds a general alarm throughout the facility that may require total evacuation of the building. A
manual pull station or heat monitor activates operation of the fire alarm.
EXITS
An exit is that part of a means of egress that leads from the floor area. It serves to a public thoroughfare or
to an approved open space. Walls, floors, doors and other means provide a protected path necessary for
occupants to proceed with reasonable safety to a place of refuge.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS
Fire Department access allows firefighters and their equipment to gain access to the building. Vehicles
parked in a fire route, excessive vegetation, and other forms of obstructions to access routes, fire hydrants
and Fire Department connections are not permitted by the fire code. Maintaining Fire Department access
is an ongoing matter.
Access into a building is required. The firefighters will not access to keys, plans, stored chemicals, etc.
PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERS
Portable extinguishers are intended as a first-aid measure to cope with fires of limited size. The basic
types of fires are classes A, B, C, D and K. Portable extinguishers are rated for the corresponding class of
fire. Make sure you are using the appropriate extinguisher for the fire.
• Class A- Wood, paper and cloth
• Class B- Flammable gases, liquids and greases
• Class C- Fires in live electrical equipment or involving materials near electrically powered
equipment
• Class D- Combustible metals such as magnesium, zirconium, potassium and sodium.
• Class K- Kitchen fires (cooking oil)
ELEVATORS
All elevators should be returned to and kept at street level in fire emergency situations.
EMERGENCY LIGHTING
Emergency lighting ensures that exits, corridors and evacuation routes providing access to exits are
illuminated in the event of loss of power.
FLOOR PLANS
Each site has floor plan maps with exit routes and fire equipment designated.
M&O DEPARTMENT AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Ensure facility inspections are conducted periodically during the year for good housekeeping and safe
equipment.
Approved by the Berryessa Union School District Safety Committee on April 2019
