Residential Colleges

In Case of a Fire:

• Sound the fire alarm.
• Call the college desk or staff member on duty in the building.
• Remain calm and act quickly.
• Wear protective clothing such as a coat and shoes, and carry a damp towel for use in heavy smoke.
• Close your room door and windows.
• Walk in an orderly manner to the nearest exit, NEVER USE AN ELEVATOR.
• Move a safe distance away from the building and out of the way of fire department personnel.
• Remain outside until told by the building staff it is safe to return.
• If you think there is a fire in the building hallway, you should feel the door before opening it.
• If the door does not feel hot, open it slightly, holding your head away and bracing the door with your foot.
• Put your hand across the opening to test the heat of the air.
•  If the door is hot and the hallway unsafe, stop up any opening or cracks through which smoke may enter, using wet towels, sheets, blankets, etc.
• If smoke does enter the room, open the window for ventilation; break it if is sealed.
• Do not jump, make your presence known and wait for rescue.

In case of a Minor Fire:

• Pull the fire alarm.
• Use a wastebasket full of water, a fire extinguisher, or a blanket to smother out the fire. (Fire hoses are used only at major fires; water may damage your personal belongings.)
• Call the staff member on duty in your residential college.
• Do not use water on an electrical or grease fire.
• Never risk your personal safety.

Remember:  Be cautious of potential fire hazards!  DO NOT burn candles in your room.  ALWAYS keep the fire doors closed.  DO NOT cook, or let someone else cook, in your room.  Your life is in jeopardy when someone violates fire safety rules in your building.  ALWAYS unplug your iron.  DO NOT MISUSE fire equipment; you may seriously need it sometime.  NEVER activate a false alarm or tamper with a smoke detector.  This is a violation of state law and will be dealt with as such.  ALWAYS vacate the building immediately anytime the fire alarm sounds.

Smoke detectors have been installed in every room for the safety of the residents.  These devices are checked three times each semester by housing maintenance staff to ensure they are working correctly.  If a smoke detector has found to be tampered with (disconnected or covered by an object) during one of these checks, the student will be subject to university disciplinary actions and/or civil penalties since this is a violation of state laws.

College Courts

1. If a fire is discovered while the apartment is occupied, evacuate apartment immediately.  If smoke is present, stay close to the floor while evacuating.
2. After evacuation, close door and alert other building occupants.  All residents should evacuate the building.
3. If a fire is discovered from outside the apartment (smoke or flame sighted), notify the Fire Department at 911.  DO NOT ENTER the apartment to investigate.  Backdraft could occur.
4. Notify Fire Department at 911, then notify Public Safety at 2222.  Give address and name.  Evacuated residents need to stay clear of building to allow access to emergency equipment upon arrival.
5. After extinguishment, occupants should not re-enter apartment until fire and university personnel have investigated for the cause and origin of the fire.
6. If fire is discovered in incipient stage and in your judgment can be controlled with a portable extinguisher, do so.  Extinguishers are located in outside stairwells of each building.  Fire Department and Public Safety should still be notified.

Common Fire Hazards in College Courts:

1. Unattended cooking.
2. Combustible materials in contact with ignition sources (heaters, light bulbs, etc.).
3. Improper disposal of smoking materials.
4. Overloaded circuits (i.e. electrical octopus).
5. Open flames (candles, incense, etc.).
6. Combustible storage in stairwells and mechanical rooms.

Report Fire- Related Crimes to the Police

Vandalism of fire extinguishers, exit signs, and fire alarms rob you of your fire protection.

Any student found responsible for these crimes can be expelled from the university in addition to be subject to criminal prosecution.  A conviction could prevent a student's acceptance to graduate or professional school.

REWARD

A reward of $500 is offered by the Residential College Association for information which results in the arrest and conviction of an individual who transmits in any manner a false fire alarm knowing at the time no fire exists.

For more information or to report deficiencies in fire protection or safety equipment, contact the Office of Environmental Safety and Health at 3480 or 4059.

Emergency Numbers

• Fire...................................................911
• Campus Police..................................911
• Ambulance and Rescue.....................911

Non-Emergency Numbers

• Health Services................................3809
• Public Safety....................................2222