• Home
• Library overview
• About the collections
• Contact Persons
• Cooperation
• Emergencies in the library
• Locations & Opening hours
• Library a-z
• Library and PBL
• Library house rules
• Library usage rules
• Maastricht Academic Heritage Fund
• Mission

Emergencies in the library

Disaster procedure / In-house emergency and first-aid service staff

The Maastricht University Library has procedures that need to be followed in the case of disasters, such as fires, accidents, etc.

Evacuation plans

Evacuations plans have been posted on walls at various locations in the Randwyck and Inner City Library. These plans show the shortest route to leave the library from the place where you are in case of evacuation (escape routes, exits, and emergency exits). <br/> The plans are identified by a red frame.

Fire

The library has a fire alarm system. This system is used to detect fires at an early stage. When the fire alarm sounds, you will hear a slowly swelling and then quickly fading sound (slow-woop).

• When the alarm sounds, you must leave the building immediately. Library staff will start vacating the rooms and corridors.
• Avoid creating a hazard for yourself or others. 
• Follow any instructions given. 
• Do not re-enter the premises until the situation has been officially declared safe. Always wait for this announcement.

Accident

If you notice an accident inside the library or see someone becoming unwell and hence needing attention, please report this to the information desk. Library staff will ensure that emergency or first-aid service staff are called in order to take appropriate action. Do not call 112! If you need any assistance yourself, please also report to the desk.

What can you do to promote your own safety in the library?

Preventive:

• As a precaution, look around you and study the evacuation plans to identify escape routes and locate emergency exits. 
• Look for the locations of fire extinguishers. 
• Fire drills are held regularly in the library. Please allow staff to practise vacating the building and co-operate in the fire drills.

In the case of a disaster:

• Never call the national emergency number 112, but report any accidents to the information desk, where appropriate action will be taken.
  In the case of a disaster, immediately notify a library member of staff, even if its effects appear minor at the time. This makes it possible to prevent escalation.
• Make sure you report the room in which the disaster is taking place. 
• In the case of an alarm (slow-woop) being sounded or a disaster requiring evacuation, leave the library immediately by the indicated or instructed escape route(s).
• Never use the lift during emergency escapes.