Fire Alarms

Each building is equipped with a fire alarm system. If a fire alarm sounds, you should:

1. Quickly put on appropriate clothing and shoes.
2. Grab a towel to put over your face to prevent smoke inhalation.
3. Close your windows, if they are open.
4. Check your door or doorknob with the back of your hand.
   1. If it is hot, do not open it. Block cracks around the door with wet towels. Call 9-911, giving your name room number and situation. DO NOT leave your room until told to do so.
   2. If it is cool, exit cautiously and lock your door. Be sure to take your keys and your University ID Card.
5. Walk quickly, in an orderly manner, through the exit for your area and continue at least 100 feet from the residence hall.
6. DO NOT re-enter the building until you are told to do so by a residence hall staff member. If you discover a fire, activate a pull station. When you get to a safe area outside, call 9-911 from a convenience or blue light phone. Answering their questions clearly will ensure a quick response from emergency personnel.

Whether you believe the alarm to be a drill or actual fire, everyone, including residence hall personnel, must leave the hall whenever the alarm sounds.

Initiating a false alarm is a Class A Misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 or one year in jail or both. Tampering with a fire alarm device is a Class C Misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine up to $500 or 180 days in jail or both. In addition to violating state law, initiating false alarms and tampering with fire alarm equipment could jeopardize the safety of all residents in the hall.

Fire Life Safety Inspection

The Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHSD) conducts fire and life safety inspections of all campus residence halls during the Fall Semester. The intent of these inspections is to increase the level of safety and safety awareness for all occupants of the residence halls. These inspections will include residence hall rooms and staff offices as well as mechanical and common areas.

Inspections will begin around the third week of the semester and will continue until all residence halls have been inspected. All inspections will be conducted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. and will be conducted in the presence of a residence hall staff member. Advance notification of all inspections will be provided to hall staff. Safety practices in general and the Fire Life safety rules found in the rules section will be the primary focus of the inspection. Please note, Residence Hall inspections typically check for the following items and more during room inspections:

• Electrical: improper use of extension cords, cover plate missing/damaged, electrical wiring frayed/damaged/crimped, multi-adapter with out breaker in use, prohibited/unapproved appliances
• Fire Alarm Equipment: smoke detector obstructed (min. 24″ clear), smoke detector damaged
• Lofts: being less than 30″ from the ceiling, being of poor construction and/or being placed in an unsafe/unapproved location
• Ignition Sources/Combustible Products: candles/incense being present in the room, flammable liquids in the room, combustible materials near electrical source, and excessive fire load in the room
• Emergency Planning: absence of the evacuation plan on the back of the room door, window/door obstructed
• Miscellaneous: poor housekeeping, floor/wall/ceiling penetrations, and the door closure missing/damaged