Equipment

It is a serious offense to tamper with fire safety equipment. Individuals who are found tampering with the fire alarms, extinguishers, smoke detectors or other fire prevention equipment or pulling the fire alarm under false pretenses will be subject to swift and decisive disciplinary action with eviction from College-owned housing being the most viable sanction. Do not tamper with the fire/life safety equipment.

Fire extinguishers are located throughout the residence halls and apartment buildings. They are to be used only in the event of a fire. They are considered fire equipment and are not to be disturbed. Do not tamper with the fire extinguishers or use them for anything other than to extinguish a fire.

Exit signs are located strategically throughout the buildings. Their purpose is to indicate exit routes, particularly in emergency situations.  Do not remove or tamper with any of these signs.

Evacuation

Specific evacuation procedures for each building will be explained by the Residence Life Staff at the first floor meeting and are posted in the building. When the fire alarm sounds, the building must be thoroughly and immediately evacuated with no exceptions. Failure to do so may result in Conduct Action.

After the fire alarm sounds, Public Safety is automatically notified. Do not panic.  Please familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures for your building as soon as you move in.  Follow these simple instructions:

1. Turn off room lights except for ceiling light.  Leave blinds (and curtains) open.
2. Close windows and lock door. 
3. Grab a coat, shoes and a towel to cover your face and head and leave in an orderly fashion as instructed in the evacuation procedures. 
4. Walk quickly and quietly and use the closest exits. 
5. Stand away from the building at the designated area. The Residence Life Staff will inform students when they may return to the building. Deliberately remaining in a building during an evacuation is a danger to yourself and to others who will enter the building to find you. This policy also applies to fire drills. Students found in buildings when a fire alarm is active may be subject to Conduct Action.
6. The Residence Life Staff will check each room to make certain that everyone has evacuated (as the nature of the emergency permits).

If a fire is outside your room/apartment and it is unsafe to exit:

            1. Crack a window and remain near the opened window.
            2. Hang a bed sheet or any large light-colored cloth out the window. This will signal your location to emergency personnel. 
            3. Keep close to the floor and near the outside wall.  Remember, smoke rises.
            4. Do not panic. Remain calm and cooperate with the staff and emergency personnel during emergencies

Prevention The best fire safety starts with prevention. To prevent fires and accidents residents must use common sense and follow these simple guidelines:

1. Smoking is prohibited in College-owned buildings and on-campus.
2. Use only UL-approved electrical appliances. Use caution when using these appliances. Do not leave electrical appliances unattended
3. Halogen lamps are not permitted in College-owned housing facilities. 
4. Make certain that materials used for decorating purposes are fireproof or fire retardant. 

Open flames of any type, including candles, the burning of incense, coals, possession of combustible chemicals including propane and other fuels and the use of multiple (“octopus”) electrical adapters, appliances with frayed wires and ungrounded electrical appliances are not permitted inside residential facilities.   For a complete list of items and practices prohibited in residential facilities under the fire code, please refer back to the Electrical Appliances section.

Prohibited practices involving fire safety include: any modification of existing electrical equipment such as outlets, light fixtures, wiring, etc.; running electrical cords under carpeting; running electrical cords through a doorway or window; connecting high wattage appliances or other electronic equipment to outlets by extension cords that do not contain breaker switches; decorating a student room by hanging or placing items such as tapestries, flags, or posters on the ceiling or in a way which covers vents on appliances or electronic equipment; overloading an electrical outlet; any practice which constitutes a fire hazard (i.e., careless use of smoking materials, etc.).

Residents are not permitted to leave belongings in the hallways, stairwells and/or common areas as this creates an obstacle to safe access to and from the building.

A fire drill is conducted at least once each semester for each residence hall and house. All persons in the building must participate in the drill and evacuate the building. The purpose of the fire drill is to acquaint residents with a rapid and orderly means of exit during an emergency. Participation in fire drills is mandatory. Residents who do not comply with this procedure are subject to conduct action. Residents are to follow evacuation procedures as listed above.

Fire Safety policies will be enforced through casual observation and announced periodic fire safety inspections of residential facilities by Residence Life staff. Materials and items prohibited from campus that are found in residence hall rooms will be confiscated, receipted, and held in a secure place until the owner safely removes them from campus at the time of check-out. Violations of this policy will be addressed through the College conduct process.