EPL Safety & Emergency Information
Emergency Contacts
D.C. Police: 911 or (301) 654-7300
MD Emergency Rescue: 911 or (301) 652-1000
U.S. Park Police: 911 or (202) 619-7500
Bethesda Fire: 911 or 301-654-0655
Chevy Chase Fire:911 or 301-652-0707
Bethesda Rescue: 911 or 301-652-0077
Nearest Fire Station: 4930 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008 | (202) 673-3231
Nearest Hospital: Sibley Hospital | 5255 Loughboro Road, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20016 | (202) 537-4000
Our Address:
5241 Broad Branch Road, Washington, D.C. 20008
For non-life-threatening emergencies related to minor flooding, power outage, minor fires, malfunctioning equipment on campus, contact:
Barry Hall: (202) 699-7873
Maceo Bacote: (202) 510-8578
Robert Carter: (202) 883-9166
In the event of a major weather or emergency event, the Broad Branch Road campus of the Carnegie Institution for Science will follow the lead of the D.C. Area Federal Government. Please check operating status at the Federal Office of Personnel Management Operating Status website (OPM).
Carnegie Alerts is Carnegie Science's official campus mass notification system, designed to deliver urgent updates and emergency communications quickly and efficiently. Powered by Regroup Mass Notification, a robust software platform, Carnegie Alerts enables real-time alerts to subscribers through multiple communication methods to ensure that employees, affiliates, and other campus members are immediately informed of critical information, enhancing safety and response times during emergencies.
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Text messages (SMS) to mobile devices
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Regroup Mobile app
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Carnegie email messages
Examples of Carnegie ALERTS include but are not limited to:
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Building Evacuation
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Campus Closure or Delay
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IT or Facilities Service Outage
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Shelter in Place
By default all Carnegie Science employees and affiliates are automatically registered for email notifications. Adjust your preferences by heading to https://alerts.carnegiescience.edu/.
Carnegie AlertsLaboratory Safety
In order to work in a lab on campus, you must first be trained by the designated lab manager.
Then you must send a request to access the lab and acknowledge the safety-related declaration. Once you receive an approval email, you are eligible to access the lab.
Incident Reporting
If you're involved in or witness an accident, injury, or near miss, however small, fill out the Incident Report Form as soon as you can. In an emergency, call 911 first and complete the form once everyone is safe.
Emergency Resources
Fire Extinguisher Locations
Abelson:
- Library: outside elevators; attic in/outside archives; near old fire escape exist
- Ground: outside elevators; A-G28A; A-G04
- 1st Floor: A-104; A-122
- 2nd Floor: Hallways off the elevator; near A-204; A-219
Research:
- Ground- Near R-G03, R-G18, R- G23, R-G26, R-G38, R-G51
- 1st Floor - Hallways near R-117, R-119, R-140, R-162, R-176
- 2nd Floor - Hallways near R- 202, R-203, R-206, R-208, R-209, R-217, R-221,R-222, R-226, R-227, R-228, R-232, R-235, R-236A, R-236B, R-237, R-238, R-244, R-268
- Penthouse - Near doors and stairwells
Greenewalt:
- Auditorium: Outside A/V room in lobby; A/V stairwell to auditorium
- Kitchen: Beside back door
- Ground floor: Carpenter shop; McWhorter Room
Cyclotron Building:
- Ground: C-G02, Mechanical Boiler Room G03-G04; Main Electrical Room and Hallway G06; hallway near G22, lower level Cyclotron Vault G13; Mass Spectrometry Lab G22; C-G21 at foot of stairs in the stairwell, Ion Probe Lab G13, Upper-Level Cyclotron Vault; Elevator Machine Room
- 1st Floor - Hallway near restrooms, chemistry lab airlock
- 2nd Floor - Hallway near room C-211, chemistry lab airlock, penthouse- hist inside the door to the right
Fire Alarms and Procedures: Fire alarms will be inspected and tested in accordance with state and local codes, but no less than once per year. Similarly, fire drills will be conducted in accordance with state and local requirements, but no less than once per year. At this time, all fire exits will be tested and hallways inspected for obstructions.
There are five AEDs located on campus:
- Research: Just inside the main door on the left wall (1); 2nd floor, north central wall in the hallway (1)
- Greenewalt Building: near the restrooms (1)
- Cyclotron Building: ground floor near parking entrance (1)
- Abelson Building: main floor opposite the elevator (1)
How to use an AED from Mayo Clinic:
If someone has fainted and might need an AED:
- Check to see if the person is breathing and has a pulse.
- If you cannot feel a pulse and the person is not breathing, call for emergency help. If there are other people present, one person can call 911 while the other prepares the AED. If you're alone, call 911 or emergency services first to make sure help is on the way.
- Turn on the AED. The automated external defibrillator gives you step-by-step voice instructions. It will tell you how to check for breathing and a pulse and how to position electrode pads on the person's bare chest.
- Deliver the shock. When the pads are in place, the AED automatically measures the person's heart rhythm and determines if a shock is needed. If it is, the machine tells the user to stand back and push a button to deliver the shock. The AED is programmed not to deliver a shock if a shock isn't needed.
- Start CPR. Begin CPR after the shock is delivered if CPR is still needed. The AED will also guide users through CPR. The process can be repeated as needed until emergency crews take over.
How and when to use AED | Mayo Clinic
How to do CPR | Mayo Clinic
Authority to Order Evacuation
An evacuation may be ordered automatically upon activation of the fire alarm system, or manually by authorized personnel, including any Building Engineer (Barry Hall, Robert Carter, or Maceo Bacote), BBR Chair of Safety Committee (Andrew Steele), EPL director (Mike Walter) or other senior staff members present at the time of the emergency. These individuals are responsible for assessing the situation, activating alarms if needed, and directing evacuation efforts.
Alarm Recognition and Immediate Actions
When the fire alarm sounds or visual warning lights are activated:
- Stop all work activities immediately.
- Evacuate the building calmly and quickly using the nearest safe exit as indicated on posted evacuation diagrams. Please follow the nearest illuminated EXIT sign to escape the building. (See Appendix A for specific floor plans and emergency exit locations). * Do not use elevators.
- Assist and alert others in your vicinity, especially visitors or individuals with disabilities who may require assistance.
- If safe to do so, close doors and windows and turn off equipment before leaving your workspace to reduce the spread of smoke or fire.
Building Floor Plan and Exit Diagrams (Appendix A)
See Appendix A for specific floor plans and emergency exit locations. The floor plans show the location of fire extinguishers, alarms, and emergency exits. All personnel shall familiarize themselves with these routes in advance.
Assembly and Accountability
After exiting, proceed directly to the designated assembly area at the center of campus (identified by the red arrow on posted maps). If the primary assembly area is unsafe or inaccessible, follow instructions from BBR staff or emergency responders to an alternate meeting location. Supervisors or lab managers are responsible for verifying that all assigned personnel are present and for reporting any missing individuals to the Building Engineer or fire personnel immediately.
Re-Entry Protocol
No one may re-enter the building until ‘All Clear’ is formally issued. ‘All Clear’ will be communicated only by the designated Building Engineers (Barry Hall, Robert Carter, or Maceo Bacote) or by the fire department, after determining that there is no remaining hazard. Even if the alarm stops sounding, re-entry is strictly prohibited until authorized.
Special Considerations
- Individuals requiring assistance during evacuation should be pre-identified and assigned a 'buddy' to help them exit safely.
- Visitors and contractors must be escorted to the assembly area by their host or supervising employee.
- If trained and if the fire is small and confined, employees may use a portable fire extinguisher to attempt suppression only if safe to do so and a clear exit path is maintained. Otherwise, immediate evacuation takes priority.
Communication and Emergency Contacts
During an evacuation, communication will be coordinated by BBR staff using phones or verbal instructions.
Emergency Contacts:
- Emergency Services (Fire/Police/EMS): Dial 911
- BBR Safety Committee chair: Andrew Steele 301-204-3771
- EPL director: Mike Walter 202-644-3595
- Building Engineers:
Barry Hall: 202-699-7873
Maceo Bacote: 202-510-8578
Robert Carter: 202-883-9166
Training and Drills
All employees shall receive training on evacuation procedures upon hire and at least annually thereafter. BBR will conduct periodic evacuation drills to evaluate readiness, identify potential improvements, and ensure familiarity with all emergency routes and responsibilities.
Kits be found in the following locations: three in the Cyclotron Building, outside the ion probe lab and on the second floor outside the chem lab (a smaller first aid kit can be found in the main mass spec lab); the coffee room in the Abelson Building; one in the middle hallway on each of the 1st and 2nd floors of the Research Building; one each outside service chases R-124 and R-224; two in our machine shop on the ground floor of the Research Building.
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Abelson
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Coffee Room
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Research
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Ground Floor - Machine Shop; Hallway bet. stairs , & loading dock.
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1st Floor - middle hallway outside R-124
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2nd Floor - middle hallway outside R-224
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Greenewalt
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Dining Room - Adjacent to kitchen
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Cyclotron
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Ground - Outside Ion Probe Lab, G-13
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2nd Floor - Outside Chem Lab
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Warning System
Tornado warnings may be communicated through: a. Local weather alert sirens; b. Campus or facility alert system (text/email); c. National Weather Service (NWS) alerts
- Upon activation of the tornado warning:
- Stop all work immediately.
- Move to designated shelter areas.
- Do not use elevators.
- Shelter Areas
- Primary Shelter Areas:
Interior rooms (eg. restrooms), hallways, stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls or Tunnel. (See Appendix A to identify interior rooms and hallways on your floor). Prohibited Areas:
Do not seek shelter near windows, under skylights, in large open spaces such as gymnasiums, auditoriums, or cafeterias.
- Evacuation Procedures
- When a tornado warning is issued or a tornado is sighted:
- Announce: “Tornado Warning – Seek Shelter Immediately.”
- Direct everyone to move to the designated shelter areas calmly but quickly.
- Bring essential emergency supplies if readily available (e.g., first aid kit, flashlight, radio).
- Assist individuals with limited mobility or disabilities.
- Remain in the shelter area until the Emergency Coordinator or authorities announce the “all clear.”
- After the storm passes, report any injuries or structural damage immediately.
- Accountability
- Supervisors or designated safety officers will perform a headcount in shelter areas.
- Any missing persons should be reported to the Emergency Coordinator or first responders immediately.
- Training and Drills
- All employees will receive training on tornado procedures annually.
- Tornado drills will be conducted at least once per year to ensure familiarity with evacuation routes and shelter areas.
- Post-Emergency Actions
- Do not leave shelter until the “all clear” is given by authorities.
- Stay alert for secondary hazards (e.g., gas leaks, electrical hazards).
- Report injuries, damages, or hazards to the Emergency Coordinator or Safety Committee.
Chemical Spill or Release
- Alert others and evacuate area if spill is large/toxic
- For small, safe-to-handle spills, use spill kit with PPE
- Avoid inhalation or skin contact
- Call lab manager/supervisor
- Report on the accident to Safety committee via online reporting system
Medical Emergency / Injury
- Call 911 immediately
- Provide first aid / CPR if trained
- Use eyewash or safety shower for exposure
- Call supervisor
- Report on the incident to safety committee via online reporting system
- File incident report after treatment
Toxic / Flammable Gas Leak
- Do not use electrical switches
- Evacuate area immediately
- Pull fire alarm if serious leak
- Call 911 and BBR building manager
- Call supervisor
- Report odor and location to safety committee
Earthquake
- Drop, cover, and hold on
- Stay away from windows and heavy objects
- Evacuate when shaking stops
- Go to open area or assembly area
- Report any injuries/damages to safety committee and BBR building manager
Radiation / Biological Exposure
- Stop work and secure materials
- Wash affected area (15 mins for skin/eyes)
- Evacuate if airborne release suspected
- Contact Radiation Principal Investigators or Biosafety Principal Investigators 2. Seek medical evaluation immediately
