Practicing what to do in the case of fire is an important part of safety training for all members of the Mount Royal community. The scheduling of fire drills and the involvement of the whole campus is dictated by Fire Department regulations. The University is required to schedule them during normal operations and peak capacity hours: Monday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., excluding the lunch hour. 

 

To prepare for a fire drill at Mount Royal University, you need to know who your warden is and where you are to gather outside ( the muster point). If you don’t know who your warden is, please ask your manager. At this time, some areas are without a warden, as we are rebuilding the warden system after an extended period of time away from campus. If your area does not have a warden, please take direction from your manager. If you are a student, take direction from your instructor.


Identify the evacuation route on the map located close to your area’s entrance point. Maps are also found in every classroom. You can also look for the nearest exit sign. If you need assistance in exiting, please make a plan with your warden/manager/instructor ahead of time. 

During a fire drill, the alarm will emit quick, fast beeps. In an orderly fashion, go with your group to your assigned muster point. If you are in a room with a door, close the door behind you. Do not take elevators. 


Wardens and Security Services will be notified when it is “all-clear” to return to the building. They will share this information widely. Updates — including the all-clear message — will also be transmitted on the MRU Now app. Get it now from the App Store or Google Play.


Below are some commonly asked questions. If you have any other questions or concerns in the days leading up to the fire drill, contact Rob Siklodi at 403.440.6180 or Security Services at 5900.  

Frequently asked questions

How do I know where to go and where my muster point is? 

Maps with evacuation routes can be found at area entry points and in every classroom. Muster points are located in every major parking lot on campus and are signed with a letter. Review this map of muster points. Employees, speak to your warden/manager/chair. Students, review the map and speak to your instructor.

 

During an alarm and drill, there will be wardens with bright orange vests to help direct traffic. As a rule, the muster point to use is usually in the closest parking lot to the emergency exit. Do not take an elevator.

 

What if it’s raining, snowing or cold outside? 

The campus community is given advance warning to make sure people can have their coats with them at the time of the drill. In the event of a real emergency, depending on the weather and amount of time people are outside, contingency plans would be made and communicated. 

 

I have no idea where to go. What do I do during the fire drill? 

Exit the building immediately, while ensuring personal safety. Do not take an elevator. Join a group at the closest muster point sign, which will have a letter on it. 

 

As a student, what should I do if I am in class?  

Your instructor will provide instructions on the evacuation process and muster point for your group. Download the MRU Now app ahead of time to receive updates. Get it now from the App Store or Google Play .

 

As a student, what should I do if I am on campus but not in class?  

Exit the building immediately, while ensuring personal safety. Do not take an elevator. Join a group at the closest muster point sign, which will have a letter on it.  Download the MRU Now app ahead of time to receive updates. Get it now from the App Store or Google Play .

 

As an instructor, do I need to count all my students and make note of missing students?  

In the case of an emergency, count students whom you know to be trapped in the building and students with disabilities needing assistance from the fire department. Communicate this with your warden/Security Services. Faculty should discuss emergency procedures with their department’s warden/chair. 

 

How do we know when we can return inside? 

Security Services will issue an “all-clear.” Wardens will further communicate this message. If the alarm is still sounding, do not enter. If the alarm is silent, still wait until the “all-clear” is issued. For fast notifications, download the MRU Now safety app for iOS and Android .

 

What do the fire alarm system sounds and strobe lights mean? 

The University's fire alarm system makes two noises. Slow beeps indicate that you may need to evacuate shortly (main campus only), but in the meantime you can stay where you are. If you feel unsafe or at risk, you should leave. Fast beeps are an alarm that you must leave the building immediately and go to a muster point (all buildings). There may or may not be an announcement that accompanies these sounds, so follow the signals. For the hearing impaired, strobe lights go on. There is no difference during the alert or alarm. Please check with others or if you are unsure whether or not you should leave.  

 

Why do we even need to have a fire drill? 

By law, we are required to have a fire drill. It is also good training to understand what to do in an emergency. MRU takes safety very seriously so we want to ensure the community is prepared. 

 

In the case of a real emergency, how will I know what is going on? 

There would be a range of communications customized to the situation. This includes messages posted on mtroyal.ca, Mount Royal’s social media accounts, MRU Now, public announcements on MyMRU.ca, emails, staff desktop notifications, Omnivex screens, public media, main door signage and switchboard messages. In the event that the mtroyal.ca site is inaccessible, messages will be posted to emergency.mtroyal.ca.