Emergency Access to Facilities

1. Immediate access to magnet room. In general, emergency procedures will be performed by a level 2 certified user. The level 2 user MUST ALWAYS be present when anyone is inside the magnet room. In the event of severe emergency that requires immediate access to the magnet room in such a fashion that screening and appropriate cautionary measures cannot be performed, the magnet must first be quenched. (vide infra)

2. Security emergencies. To assure their safety, UT security staff will have access to Area A only under the direct supervision of the Operations Administrator or a qualified IRC staff member. In the event of an emergency, security staff must attempt to contact the Operations Administrator or a qualified operator and should not enter the magnet room until qualified staff have arrived on site. If necessary, certified staff members will then direct the security officer in safe methods to access the magnet room and safe procedures to follow once the magnet room is entered.

3. Fire and medical emergencies. Fire and emergency medical personnel are also restricted from the magnet room. Firefighting efforts by non-IRC personnel must be attempted from the doorway of the magnet room without entry. In the event of a severe fire that requires entry of non-IRC personnel into the magnet room, the magnet must first be quenched. (vide infra) In the event of a medical emergency, unconscious or immobile persons will be removed from the magnet room and then treated. The Operations Administrator or other MR-trained staff will perform evacuation of victims from the magnet room before paramedics arrive. If this is not possible, evacuation may be accomplished by emergency medical personnel who have been screened for ferrous metal items.

A MR-trained researcher or staff member must stand in front of the closed magnet room door during the entire emergent procedure to prevent emergency medical personnel from accidentally walking into the magnet room. In the case of a medical emergency, the level 2 certified user may provide to the medical responders the information on the subject’s screening form.