Picture_23.png

EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN PROCEDURE


If danger is imminent:
1. Press END NIGHT on Cosmic Debris
This will begin the stow process and close the covers of the telescopes, even if telescopes are not stowed and you have to leave, cut the drive powers on the power gui. Try to let them stow, but if time is critical, hopefully the elevation will be at stow at least.

2. Close the dome slits (even if the dust covers are not entirely closed) right after the END NIGHT button was pressed. It will take a few minutes for them to close anyway.

If you have more than 10 minutes, add the following:
3. Power off the following computers through the power gui:

Once all the covers are closed, power off the ACQ/TEMA for each telescope.

4. Run to the lab, power off the vacuum pump, ople rack (regardless of where the carts are), LabAO electronics

5. Leave all the vacuum valves open, and use the two valves on the wall behind ctrscrut monitors to slowly let air into the pipes to avoid explosive recompression. Dial valve about 1/2 way open, T-valve about 1/2 way open.

Make sure you only do what you have time for. Beyond closing the domes and covers, and cutting the power to the telescope drives, do not risk life or limb to do other things on this list.


FIRE

  1. On all Red Flag Warning days as identified by the National Weather Service and during periods of Critical Fire Danger in the Angeles National Forest as stipulated by the US Forest Service, a white board will be posted on a daily basis outside the MWI office listing 1) the On Duty/On Site individual to contact in case of emergency and 2) the designated Fire Watch for the period. If you notice anything that is cause for alarm please report it immediately to the On Duty/On Site person.
  2. The fire alarm system will only be activated if there is an imminent danger of fire at the Observatory. Imminent danger is defined as any fire on the Observatory grounds or in the surrounding area having a potential to reach the Observatory with 24 hours. The Incident Command (IC) crew will normally activate the alarm for fires burning in the local area but off the Observatory grounds, however any Observatory personnel can activate the alarm system if needed. Situations such as spot fires near your residence or structure fires on the Observatory grounds are but two examples where Observatory residents or visitors might activate the alarm themselves.
  3. Should the fire alarm system be activated, the marshalling point for all personnel at the Observatory is the 5-way road intersection near the MWI office building. Upon hearing the fire alarm (fire siren at 60” and 100” domes or fire bell in Monastery), you are to proceed to the marshalling point on foot and await further instructions from the Incident Commander in charge. Please do not drive your vehicle to the marshalling point as that area will need to be kept clear for emergency response vehicles.
  4. The Incident Commander will conduct a head count at the marshalling point. You will be asked if there are any visitors at the Observatory of which you have knowledge that are not accounted for in the head count. The Incident Commander will dispatch member(s) of the IC crew to retrieve any persons not accounted for at the marshalling point.
  5. Criteria for evacuation are as follows: Imminent danger as defined in 2 above; escape route down the Red Box Road and Angeles Crest Highway is clear and open.
  6. Criteria for sheltering-in-place are as follows: Imminent danger as defined in 2 above; escape route down the Red Box Road and/or Angeles Crest Highway is cut off.
  7. If the Incident Commander determines that the Observatory must be evacuated, please understand that it will be a MANDATORY evacuation. All personnel except those on the IC crew will be required to leave the Observatory.
  8. Depending on the severity of the emergency (how imminent a danger is posed), you may be allowed back to your residence/office to gather your most valuable personal belongings before evacuating. This will be a judgment call by the Incident Commander in charge. If the danger is such that immediate evacuation is required and an order has been issued by the Incident Commander, you won’t be allowed to linger on the Observatory ground to retrieve personal belongings. Please understand that human life is more valuable than material possessions, so don’t put yourself or any IC crew member in danger by ignoring the instructions of the Incident Commander. As you exit the Observatory please do not stop or park in the lower parking lot of the Pavilion area as it is reserved for emergency vehicles and aircraft staged to fight a fire.
  9. If the Incident Commander determines that Observatory personnel must be sheltered-in-place, you will be escorted to the 100” dome Coude Room, where provisions are in place for safely surviving a fire. Pets can be sheltered on the ground floor of the 100” dome outside the Coude Room. The Incident Commander and his crew will be the liaison between the Observatory personnel in the 100” Coude Room and the outside agencies responding to the emergency, and will keep you informed as to the status of emergency response efforts. Do not leave the 100” dome until an ALL CLEAR has been issued.