Shelter-in-Place

Shelter-In-Place is a protective action recommended to protect people from external hazards, minimize the chance of injury and/or provide the time necessary to allow for a safe evacuation. 

Situations and circumstances that may warrant a Shelter-In-Place order could include:

  • Severe Weather
  • Air Quality Events
  • Active Threat (ref. to Active Threat Emergency Procedures)
  • Civil Unrest
  • Toxic Gases or Particles

If determined necessary, the notice to Shelter-In-Place order will be issued by UPD emergency personnel or the SFSU Emergency Operations Center. Emergency notifications will be sent through the SFSU Alert campus-wide emergency notification system.

General Shelter-in-Place guidance:

  • Move to an interior room, inner corridors or building spaces away from windows if possible. Stay inside.
  • Bring others with you
  • Check your SFSU email and text messages regularly for updates and further instructions.
    • Take attendance of those present and call UPD dispatch or your building BERC to report who is present with you.
    • Remain calm and review evacuation procedures with the group.
    • Stay where you are until emergency personnel notify you that it is safe to leave.

For severe weather or civil unrest:

  • Stay inside the building and avoid windows. Move to inner corridors or rooms for protection.
  • For extreme weather, relocate to lower levels of the building if possible.

For airborne toxins outside:

  • Close all windows and turn off air conditioning and fans to limit the infiltration of contaminants.
  • Do not use elevators, as that can increase movement of air throughout a building.
  • If possible, move to higher levels of the building. Many chemical agents are heavier than air and tend to stay closer to the ground.
  • Avoid moving around if it increases your risk (e.g., using external staircases or opening exterior doors).
  • Make note of and report any injuries or symptoms immediately.
  • If possible, make the room as airtight as possible by sealing doors and ventilation ducts with readily available supplies. Avoid creating sparks that could ignite any flammable vapor present. 

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