Fire Safety
When you first move into the building, familiarize yourself with the location of the fire alarm pull stations, stairways, and exits. Plan for a primary and an alternate means of emergency exit.
Fire drills are conducted periodically to familiarize students with emergency evacuation procedures. Any student requiring special assistance or accommodation during fire alarms or emergencies is requested to notify their residence hall staff at the beginning of the academic year or as soon as they become aware of the need for assistance.
Students are expected to evacuate the buildings promptly and quietly when the fire alarm sounds. At that time, all students should move quickly and quietly to the closest exit. Then, students should proceed out of the exit to the exterior assembly area in an orderly fashion and wait for further instructions. Students who are away from their room when the alarm sounds should proceed to the nearest exit without returning to their rooms. The alarm signal is the same for a drill as an actual emergency. Failure to evacuate a building will result in disciplinary action.
Should a smoke detector or an alarm malfunction or its batteries wear out, residents are required to notify Residence Life & Housing Member immediately so it may be repaired or replaced. The tampering with (removing batteries, disconnect or otherwise disabling) and covering of smoke detectors or alarms is prohibited and will result in a fine.
Students are prohibited from taking any action that would be considered a fire safety violation. These prohibited actions include but are not limited to:
- Unauthorized, negligent, careless, or improper handling of or tampering with any fire safety or emergency equipment or fixtures.
- Failing to evacuate any building during a fire alarm.
- University staff members may enter rooms during fire drills to ensure cooperation.
- Tampering with any fire safety signs or instructions.
- Hanging, adhering, or affixing any item to any fire equipment or ceiling, including sprinkler systems.
- Care should be taken to avoid anything touching fire equipment and sprinkler systems.
- Obstructing the doorway or impede entering or exiting the room with items inside a student room, suite, apartment, or common space. A clear view from the doorway into the room, suite, apartment, or common area is required. No items are permitted to block the clear view into or out of a room, suite, apartment, or common space.