APACHE POINT FIRE PROCEDURES

SPRINKLER AND SHUTTER PROCEDURES

CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2013

1. Smoke sighted

A. Get an approximate bearing/distance and or map topography on location. Estimate size and slope aspect as well as intensity if possible.

B. Call USFS at 437-2286, provide fire info as well as local weather data.

C. Call Mark Klaene (682-2865 or 430-0210)

D. Notify NSO/SP and the Otero County Sheriff's Office (911)

2. If smoke is in the area but observatory not threatened

A. Complete #1, A-D

B. 3.5m telescope: Face enclosure into smoke direction and turn on PF1.

2.5m telescope: Turn on HVAC system or set system for 1.0 pressurization.

Monitor observing levels for smoke infiltration. If significant, turn off fans.

C. Close up all telescopes.

D. Visually check fire situation hourly and check immediate area around grounds. Spot fires can occur up to 1 mile from the fire edge.

E. Keep in touch with the USFS

3. If observatory is threatened:

A. Complete #1, A-D

If time permits and immediate evacuation is not ordered:

a. make sure everyone on site is awake and aware of
the situation; check against housing board and day logs

b. turn off all fans

c. close all louvers/shutters, including exterior window shutters at north side of the Arcade, Ops bldg, both dormitories, shop bldg and SDSS Support bldg. Crank handles located inside by entrance doors and outside along north side of buildings

d. hook-up and turn on all  outside sprinklers

1.  connect hoses to hydrant H2
2.  connect hoses to hydrant H1
3.  use hydrant wrench located by fire pump to open fire hydrants H1 and H2
4.  in Garage/shop turn on fire pump

e. Service Instruments as noted (this assumes an evacuation duration of less than 24 hrs and power may be available)
           
      3.5m Instruments

APOLLO: No action required

AGILE: No action required

Echelle: Top off LN2, (if time does not permit, turn Ion Pump off, turn off camera power)

DIS: Turn off camera electronics

Nic-Fps: Top off LN2, Turn off camera electronics

Fabry Perot: (if powered on) Top off LN2, Turn off camera electronics

SPIcam: Turn off camera electronics

TSpec: Top off LN2 on both instruments. If possible, rotate with fill ports up for maximum fill. Turn off camera electronics

            2.5m Instruments

BOSS Spectrographs: Place full dewars on line, turn off camera electronics
APOGEE: Turn off CCD camera electronics

If time permits consider rotating telescope 180 deg in az and leave at zenith

f.  Ensure all doors (interior and exterior) and windows are closed
g. Close all metal blinds (not fabric shades)
h.  Move furniture/combustibles away from windows. Move wood/paper away from exterior metal walls of telescope enclosures
i.  Turn 3.5m telescope into fire direction
j.  Turn off valve at bottom of propane tank
k. Turn off unnecessary electrical loads, shut off circuit breakers to dormitories
l.  Move valuable equipment into telescope enclosures
m. Gather portable site radios

4. Evacuation

A.  If an evacuation is ordered by the Site Manager/designee/ local authority, proceed along the USFS evacuation route.

If none has been designated, go to Timberon or Cloudcroft depending upon fire location. Take radios and cellular phones and travel together in at least two vehicles. Have at least one radio in lead vehicle and one radio in the end vehicle. Take APO vehicles if extra drivers are available. Contact Otero County Sheriff's Office  (437-2210) and Sunspot VFD (437 7195) when you depart. Inform them of the evacuation, destination, time of departure, number of vehicles, and number of persons.  If time permits, fax a list with names of evacuees to speed dial 4 (NMSU Astronomy).  Use the staff phone list and cross out those not applicable and write-in visitors.

The gate to the right as you go back down our road is a designated evacuation route. It has our combination padlock of 2001 on it. Use this road ONLY if absolutely necessary and you are familiar with it as it is very possible to get lost or trapped. Do NOT lock the gate behind you. Generally staying at the observatory will be safer than trying this route.

B. Contact the site manager or designee upon reaching a safe location. A point of contact will likely be appointed and all future information will be funneled through them. If none appointed use Beth Mitchell 491-3171.

C. During the evacuation:

1. Drive cautiously, speeding causes accidents, visibility may be reduced, animals may be crossing roads. Emergency vehicles will be responding from the opposite direction.

2. Keep vehicle windows closed, headlights "on".

3. Do not shut off engine until safety is reached. Keep moving.  Heavy smoke may kill the engine or cause rough running. Expect this and pull to the side of the road if engine problems occur.

4. Stay on familiar, well-maintained roads and stay in a group. Sunspot will likely form a caravan, so check with them and join in. Take the portable radios.

5. Take a forest map

D. If area cannot be evacuated, go to Sunspot tower high bay area. This is the safe haven location for the Sunspot folks. If this can't be done, stay in the cone room of the 3.5m enclosure. Use available dust masks to filter the smoke when on site.

5. Fire-fighting

A. Mark Klaene and Tracy Naugle are on the Sunspot Fire Dept. and may be assigned, along with other SVFD members, to help and protect APO. This is possible due to their SVFD membership, protective equipment, and training. It is not the intent of APO management to have staff perform fire suppression work.

B. In general, we may be able to help protect the buildings using the fire pump, hose, water and foam on site. In addition, preventive watering may be accomplished.

6. Returning

A. Do not return to the site without approval from the Site Manger or designee. Keep in daily contact with the point of contact and they will let you know when to return. Use our point of contact for information, not the USFS.

B. Follow power up sequences for all equipment similar to recovery procedures developed for power outages.

C. Check and re-light all applicable gas pilot lights. See list available from Mark Klaene.