Building Emergency Evacuation Program (BEEP)

The BEEP Program applies to all employees and building occupants at Penn State University locations, with the exception of the Hershey Medical Center and the College of Medicine. Public event use of University buildings is managed by Emergency Management and is not covered under this program. Residence halls are addressed separately under Policy SY28 and are not included in the BEEP Program.

The BEEP Program establishes requirements to ensure occupants can safely evacuate University buildings during emergencies. Key requirements include:

• Written Building Emergency Evacuation Plans (BEEPs)
  Buildings that permanently house ten or more employees must maintain a written BEEP.
• Building Evacuation Maps
  Buildings required to have a BEEP must post evacuation maps that clearly show evacuation routes. Maps must be in a format approved by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and the University Office of Campus Planning & Design.
• Designation of BEEP Personnel
  Safety Officers must ensure Building Emergency Coordinators and Safety Monitors are designated for their facilities.
• BEEP Training and Education
  Safety Officers are responsible for ensuring personnel receive appropriate training and understand their evacuation roles and responsibilities.
• BEEP Review and Maintenance
  BEEPs must be self‑reviewed and updated at least annually.
• Annual BEEP Exercises
  Buildings that meet defined criteria must conduct annual BEEP exercises, including a full building evacuation. Exercises may be conducted as either a silent drill or an audible alarm drill, depending on building requirements.

Program:

• Building Emergency Evacuation Program

Procedure/ Lists:

• App B General Guidance for Evacuating a Building
• Appendix D List of Mandated Buildings for Exercises
• Frequently Asked Questions
• General Overview of BEEP Protocol and Terminology
• Statement for Voluntary Inclusion on Syllabus

Forms:

• App A Building Emergency Evacuation Plan Template
• App E BEEP Checklist
• App F BEEP Exercise Documentation Form
• Appendix C Self Review Form

Access the Documents on SharePoint

Building Evacuation Information for Faculty

An increased emphasis has been placed on building evacuation awareness throughout the University in recent years.  As a faculty member, you play an important role in preparing for an emergency situation.  It is critical that you stress the importance of an immediate evacuation by your students when prompted.  All students should have a clear understanding of evacuation routes and exterior meeting sites.  Consideration must also be given to meeting the needs of mobility challenged occupants during an evacuation.

These web resources have been prepared to familiarize faculty members and instructors with how to respond to emergency situations in classroom environments.

• General Overview of BEEP Protocol and Terminology
• Statement for Voluntary Inclusion on Course Syllabus
• Frequently Asked Questions