Power outage procedures in O'Reilly Library

POWER OUTAGE DURING DARKNESS

Evacuation Procedure for Staff in O’Reilly Library

In the event of a power outage during darkness please evacuate the library.

The evacuation should be announced using the handheld megaphone:

“Can I have your attention please.

The library has suffered a power failure, so the building must close.

Carefully gather all your belongings and make your way to the main exit on the ground floor.

Thank you.”

The library will remain closed for the remainder of the evening / night and users should be notified that there will be no re-entry that day.

Please note: Torches, batteries, a power bank and a megaphone are stored at the Help Desk in a box labelled Power Outage Box.

Instructions for staff at the Reception/Help Desk up to 8pm when there are 3 staff on duty:

All staff at the Issue desk should don a high-visibility vest.
One staff member should be the designated Incident Coordinator for the duration of the incident.
The Incident Coordinator should ring security on 087 6091366 and inform them that there is a power outage in O’Reilly Library and that the building is being evacuated.
One staff member should go to the front lobby and guide people out of the building through the side doors. They should also prevent anyone entering or re-entering the building.
While the Incident Coordinator is contacting security, the third member of staff should go to the top floor via the staircase and begin to move all students down the central staircase.
Each floor beginning at the top should be systematically cleared before moving down to the next floor. This includes Group Study Rooms, Gov Pub Room and the Sensory Pod room.
Once the Incident Coordinator has informed Security they should check the ground floor and lower basement and instruct library users to leave immediately. MLC/Info Commons/TR1 and the Mentoring Suite should be checked on the ground floor. Cafe space and toilets on the lower ground floor must be swept also.
Any other library staff in office areas should also don a high viz, unplug their PC and assist in the evacuation.
When all library spaces have been checked, and Security have arrived, library staff should leave the building for the evening.

Instructions for staff at the Help Desk / Reception Desk after 8pm when there are only 2 library monitors on duty:

Library Monitors should don a high-visibility vest.
One staff member should ring security on 087 6091366 and inform them that there is a power outage in the O’Reilly Library and that the building is being evacuated.
They should then go to the front lobby and guide people out of the building through the side doors. They should also prevent anyone entering or reentering the building.
The second staff member should make their way to the top floor and begin to move all students down the central staircase.
Each floor beginning at the top should be systematically cleared before moving down to the next floor- this includes meeting rooms and toilets.

Evacuation of Mobility Impaired Persons

Persons in wheelchairs or with mobility problems will be assisted by security staff as the library lifts will not be operational.

Assistance for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Alert the person(s) that an emergency exists using notes or hand gestures and assist or direct to fire exit.

Assistance for Persons who are Visually Impaired

Identify yourself. Describe the emergency and ask if help is needed and how it can be provided. Let the person take your elbow and assist the person from the building describing obstacles/surroundings as you go.

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Updated: 7 October 2024