University of Minho adopted self-protection measures developed and approved by the entity that regulates the conditions of fire safety in buildings, in Portugal – the National Civil Protection Authority.
Self-protection measures are a document that establishes the organizational and safety management procedures and its primary objective is:
• To ensure the safety of the occupants within the facilities.
• To ensure that safety conditions are maintained.
• To ensure a rapid and efficient emergency response structure.
Self-protection measures are dynamic and flexible document, constantly updated and adapted to the daily exploration of the building and its main points are:
• Preventive measures: procedures that must be followed on a daily basis while exploring the building in order to prevent emergency situations.
• Safety records: a set of inspection and maintenance reports and occurrences directly or indirectly related with fire safety in buildings.
• Procedures in case of emergency: guidelines that must be followed in case of emergency, namely, a fire, an evacuation, an explosion, etc.
• Training initiatives: providing workers with fire safety training.
• Simulation exercises: testing the emergency procedures and training the internal emergency response team and the occupants of the facilities.
The self-protection measures of UMinho are currently implemented. These measures are regularly tested/analysed through simulation exercises, as well as testing the emergency and evacuation procedures.
