This document describes the background info and general overview as to what to do in case of emergency in the William Gates Building.
Please feel free to provide or request information on other Emergency Procedures.
Action in case of a fire
Find attached the William Gates Building Fire procedure document. It lists the various roles related to fire evacuation and what action each member of the staff has to perform.
Further, it gives information on what to do after evacuating the building.
Use of Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are positioned by exit points of fire routes. People should, in all cases, get themselves to a point of safety and check that the alarm has been raised. Only then should anyone consider using a fire extinguisher to fight the fire. However, they should only do so if they have been trained in the correct use of the equipment in the prevailing circumstances, and if they are not putting themselves in danger.
Alarms
Fire Alarm Panel
After the Fire Alarm has started, it should not be silenced or reset, other than at the direct instruction of the Fire Safety Manager or Security (out of hours).
Safe Refuge Panel
The Safe Refuge alarm system is not connected to anything other than its Display Panel in Reception. When a green button is pressed in one of the Safe Refuge staircases, the red light above it goes on. At the same time, a buzzer will ring in Reception, and the corresponding light on the panel goes on.
The panel should only be accessed by the Fire Safety Manager, the Deputy Fire Manager and the Safety Officer!
Disable Toilet Alarms
When someone pulls a red cord in a Disabled Toilet, alarms go off locally and in Reception. There, the light will indicate which toilet.
Return to the building after a fire alarm
Only once the Fire Safety Manager, Security or the Fire Brigade have given the all clear, and the alarms have been silenced or reset, should people be told that they can return to the building.
It is Fire Warden duty to keep people waiting at the Assembly point. Moreover, Fire Wardens should guard other exit points, preventing people from entering the building until it is safe to do so.
Inspections after a fire alarm
Doors and vents do not automatically close when the fire alarms stop.
Courtyard Doors
The courtyard doors should close automatically but have to be checked as they sometimes get stuck.
Fire Exit Doors
People may have opened any of the emergency fire doors. It is vital that the WGB Fire Safety Team walks around the outside of the building, checking all doors.
Break Glass replacement
Any break glasses should be replaced as soon as possible.
Reporting a fire alarm
After the incident is over, a Drill report should be prepared, detailing what happened before, during and after the alarm, and it should be sent to the Safety Committee and Head of Department, before it is filed in the fire book.
Other Emergencies (e.g. bomb alert)
Other evacuations should be treated as a Fire, except that everyone should move away from the building immediately and assemble at the Bomb Alert Assembly Point.
See Emergency section for details where to go.
Updated Dec 2025 - Diana Gauvrit (DSO)
