Fire Safety Dispatch: Spring Cleaning in the Workplace

Spring is a good time to clear out items that have accumulated over the past year, but at CUIMC, this is more than seasonal housekeeping. According to the New York City Fire Department, improper storage, especially in hallways and corridors, poses a serious fire and life-safety risk. We encourage everyone across the medical center to take the following steps:

Keep Corridors Clear

• Do not store anything in CUIMC  corridors.
• Remove boxes, equipment, furniture, and other items from exit paths and common areas immediately.

Reduce Clutter to Maintain a Safe, Comfortable Workspace

• Maintain clear aisles within offices, labs, and workspaces to support safe emergency egress.
• Throw away, recycle, or shred unneeded items. Ensure that CUIMC IT wipes any sensitive data (including materials containing PII or PHI) from electronic devices before discarding them.
• Keep ventilation equipment clear from obstructions.
• To discard large items, or request a garbage or recycling bin, submit a work order to CUIMC Facilities or call 212-305-HELP (4357), option 3.

Review Storage Areas to Eliminate Hazards and Improve Reliability

• Check chemicals for proper storage using Safety Data Sheets and coordinate appropriate disposal for materials no longer needed.
• Follow the manufacturer's cleaning guidelines and plan controlled defrosting for ultra-low-temperature freezers to clear out unnecessary samples and maintain performance.

For more information on Spring Cleaning at CUIMC, download our helpful PDF.

For general building questions or concerns, email cumcfiresafety@columbia.edu. For lab-specific questions or concerns, email fire-life@columbia.edu.