Tenant Handbook


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Severe Weather and Natural Disasters

The U.S. Weather Service reports the movement of severe weather that may present a threat to metropolitan area. Tenants have the choice of evacuating or remaining in the building during a severe weather alert. If your company decides to evacuate the building, notify the Incident Commander of your intention to do so. If an early alert is given by the U.S. Weather Service and a decision is made to remain in the building, certain steps can be taken to prepare for the severe weather.

 

Tenants should maintain an inventory of first aid and emergency supplies to be used during severe weather.

 

Notify the management office of all leaks, fires, and structural or other damage during or after the storm.

 

If informed by the U.S. Weather Service that severe weather is imminent, follow the steps below:

  • Move to core areas of the building
  • Take cover in an interior hallway
  • Stay away from doors and windows
  • Close perimeter doors behind you

 

Major Natural Disasters

Disasters and emergencies affecting large areas can sometimes develop quickly. Flash floods and earthquakes, for example, can strike with little or no advance warning. Perhaps the most basic thing to remember is to KEEP CALM. In the event of a disaster or emergency: Keep your radio or television set tuned to hear weather reports and forecasts (issued by The National Weather Service) as well as other information and advice that may be broadcast by your local government. Use your telephone only to report disaster events to the Philadelphia Police Department or Philadelphia Fire Department (depending on the nature of the emergency) and Property Management. If you tie-up phone lines simply to get information, you may prevent emergency calls from being completed. Stay away from disaster area. Follow the advice and instructions of authorities in charge.

 

Earthquakes

 

Earthquake Preparedness

  • Keep an earthquake preparedness kit on hand. Include the following:
  • Food and water– at minimum, a 3 day supply (a 7 day supply is ideal)
  • First Aid kit and First Aid manual
  • Large and small heavy-duty plastic bags, duct tape and scissors
  • Extra prescriptions and eyewear
  • Heavy-duty shoes and gloves
  • Extra clothing, and a whistle
  • Rescue tools
  • Portable TV and/or radio with extra batteries
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • Cash (ATMs and credit cards may not work)
  • Emergency Phone List, including family at work, school, daycare, etc.
  • Long-distance message check-in phone number
  • Cell phone

 

During an Earthquake

Most earthquake-induced injuries are caused by falling objects or debris that has become dislodged by the quake. During an earthquake, please observe the following:

  • Remain calm, do not panic.
  • Stay in the office area.
  • Take cover under tables, desks, or strong doorways.
  • Keep away from windows and glass doors.
  • Keep clear of filing cabinets, shelves and tall stacks of materials.
  • Check for any injured personnel and administer first aid where necessary.
  • Floor Wardens should assess damage and injuries and be prepared to expedite evacuation of serious cases.
  • In the event of a fire resulting from an earthquake, follow the fire emergency procedures.

 

Following an Earthquake

  • Be prepared for aftershocks. While aftershocks are generally smaller than the earthquake that generates them, they can cause additional damage.
  • If you smell gas, notify the Building Office or Security immediately.
  • Check immediate location– make sure you are safe.
  • Check for injuries and apply first aid as needed. Be prepared for an absence of immediate emergency services, and be prepared to help yourself and others.
  • Extinguish any fires. Do not light matches. Do not smoke.
  • Listen for news or pertinent instructions on the radio or television.
  • Do not use the telephone unless you have a dire emergency; ensure that all telephone receivers are properly mated to their cradles.
  • Conserve, and responsibly ration food and water.

 

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are a potential threat from June through November in the Houston area. These tropical storms are characterized by winds in excess of 75 miles per hour and extremely heavy rain. The following suggestions and divisions of responsibilities are designed to provide for the safety of all, by reducing the chance of injury or death and minimizing the potential loss of assets.

 

Alerts

The U.S. Weather Service reports the movement of tropical depressions that may present a threat to the Gulf Coast area.  Given an early alert, certain steps should be taken to prepare for the hurricane.
 

Tenant Duties

It is advantageous both to our tenants and the property management staff that the building be evacuated as expediently as possible once hurricane preparations have been made in each tenant’s suite.  (See below)

  • It is advisable for all tenants to make necessary preparations for their suite as follows:
  • Raise all mini-blinds within the suite.
  • Disconnect all computers or other machines and remove any units located in window wall offices.
  • Waterproof tarpaulins can be useful in covering desks and filing cabinets.
  • Clear all desks, credenzas and filing cabinets of loose articles and store in file cabinets.
  • All major tenants, and those with significant computer or after-hours operations are encouraged to implement their own written Hurricane Emergency plan to deal with operation and protection of their systems and personnel.

If a hurricane is imminent, tenants should initiate and complete office preparation in sufficient time to allow employees to leave work to secure their homes prior to the expected arrival of gale force winds.  The Building Management will be monitoring U.S. Weather Bureau reports and will advise tenants of changes in weather conditions for their own evacuation decisions.

Always notify the Building Management Office upon evacuation of your space.

 

Public Utility Duties

Auxiliary Power - Center Point Energy has provided primary power.  During disasters that cause loss of primary power, the Power Company will work to restore service as quickly as possible.  Customers with vital energy power requirement should consider auxiliary generators or surge protectors for their own use.

 

Telephone Service

Telephone service may be interrupted during severe weather.  Telephone companies are capable of installing emergency service lines to Customers having compatible switching equipment.  Customers requiring emergency service should ask their telephone representative for specific information.

 

Building Duties

When a hurricane is imminent, the following action will be taken by the Building Management Staff:

  • Bring potential flying objects indoors
  • Building auxiliary power for emergency lighting, etc. will be re-tested to ensure its availability.
  • Supplies of building and other materials will be checked or obtained for availability to cover broken windows, etc.

During the storm, the following actions will be taken by the Building Staff:

  • Frequent contact will be maintained with the U.S. Weather Service.
  • Building Patrols will be performed continually by the security officer on duty, the property manager and engineering staff to monitor building damage.
  • Emergency repairs will be made when weather permits.

After the storm, the following actions will be taken by the Building Staff.

  • A thorough search for safety hazards will be conducted.
  • Repairs will be made as quickly as possible.
  • Constant communications will be maintained with Public Utilities until all disrupted service is restored.
  • The Building Management Staff will update the Shorenstein Tenant National Emergency Number 800 589 2554 of the condition of the Building and its ability to be reopened for normal use.

 

Tornado

By definition, a tornado warning is an alert by the National Weather Service confirming a tornado sighting and location. Keep a radio tuned in to hear whether the Weather Service will announce the approximate time of detection and direction of movement. In the Event of a Tornado Warning: REMAIN CALM. Stay away from the interior perimeter of the building and all exterior glass. Leave your exterior office and close the door. Go to an enclosed stairwell and move to basement level if time permits and it is safe to do so. Sit down in stairwell or core areas and protect yourself by putting head as close to your lap as possible, or kneel protecting your head. If you are trapped in an outside office, seek protection under a desk or sturdy table. Keep your own radio or television set tuned to a local station for updated information.

 

Water Interruption

A temporary interruption of the water supply may result in the disruption of building services. Without water, it is not possible to maintain sanitary conditions or building cooling systems. Additionally, water interruption limits the Fire Department’s ability to extinguish fires.