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Fire 🔥

Immediate actions

Section titled “Immediate actions”
  1. Alert people nearby - Shout “Fire!” to warn others
  2. Sound the alarm - Press the nearest fire alarm call point (red box on the wall)
  3. Contact staff immediately - Call +32 2 788 74 72
  4. Call ULB security (if safe to do so):
    • From a wall phone: Dial 7
    • From a mobile: Call +32 2 650 26 14
    • Tell them: Il y a un incendie dans bâtiment X. Je ne parle pas français. (There is a fire in building X. I don’t speak French.)

Building name pronunciations

Section titled “Building name pronunciations”
BuildingEnglish PronunciationFrench Phonetic
AWah doo-bluh-vay/a dublə ve/
Feff/ɛf/
Hahsh/aʃ/
Kkah/ka/
UAu ah/u a/
UBu bay/u be/
UCu say/u se/
UDu day/u de/

If nobody can be reached

Section titled “If nobody can be reached”

Call 112 (emergency services - they speak English)

  • State: “Fire at ULB Solbosch, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50, Brussels”
  • Specify the building (use building name) and floor if known
  • Keep trying to contact staff members

Evacuation actions

Section titled “Evacuation actions”
  • Direct people to the nearest safe exit
  • Do not use lifts! Use stairs only
  • Guide people to the nearest evacuation point (see evacuation points)
  • Help keep people calm and prevent panic
  • Do not go back inside for any reason until informed it is safe to do so

Locating Fire alarms and equipment

Section titled “Locating Fire alarms and equipment”

In Belgium, all fire alarms and equipment are coloured red. Additionally, all alarms and equipment have been marked with red tape on the floor during the FOSDEM build-up, to further help identify such items, and to ensure that the floor space around them remains clear and accessible at all time.

Click here to see an example of floor markings

Fire extinguisher surrounded with red tap on the floor

Fire extinguishers

Section titled “Fire extinguishers”

When to use a fire extinguisher

Section titled “When to use a fire extinguisher”
  • ONLY if the fire is very small (smaller than a wastepaper basket)
  • ONLY if you have a clear escape route behind you
  • ONLY if you feel confident and safe
  • NEVER if the fire is spreading or producing heavy smoke

Types at ULB

Section titled “Types at ULB”

There are two types of fire extinguishers at ULB:

  • Foam extinguishers - Use these for most fires
    • Rated for Class A (solid materials like wood, paper, fabric)
    • Rated for Class B (flammable liquids like oil)
  • CO₂ extinguishers - Do not use (specific training required)
Click here to see a photo of a foam fire extinguisher

Foam fire extinguisher

How to use a foam extinguisher

Section titled “How to use a foam extinguisher”
  1. Pull the safety pin
  2. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire (not the flames)
  3. Squeeze the handle
  4. Sweep from side to side

When in doubt

Section titled “When in doubt”

Evacuate immediately. Your life is more important than property. Fighting fires is the job of the fire brigade, not volunteers.