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Chapter House & Fire Safety

The chapter house is extremely important when developing your chapter risk management program. (Even if your chapter does not have a chapter house you should still review this session for safety tips that

you can apply to your own residence.)

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General Safety GuidelinesReduce the likelihood of unsafe acts

occurring in the chapter house by:

• Following alcohol guidelines.

• Eliminating hazing.

• Prohibiting horseplay and dangerous activities in the house.

• Promoting pride, care and respect for the chapter house.

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General Safety GuidelinesReduce Unsafe Conditions by:• Keep the house clean, well maintained and

sanitary.• Prohibit tampering with fire safety equipment.• Have proper lighting and emergency lights.• Develop and implement emergency plans and

drills.• Make sure you are in compliance with all

electrical, health and fire codes.• Identify and do not exceed room capacity.• Maintain all heating and cooling units.

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• Properly dispose of all trash and other waste.• Maintain floors, stairways and railings.• Do not allow members out on roofs or balconies.• Ensure that plumbing and electrical facilities

function and are used correctly.• Inspect and spray for insects and rodents. Keep

your house clean and empty trash regularly.• Be prepared for natural disasters such as floods,

tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes.• Encourage members to learn first aid and CPR.• Post emergency numbers by all phones.• Prohibit firearms, weapons and other dangerous

equipment on chapter property.

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Falls from Roofs Windows & Ledges• Every chapter should implement specific rules

eliminating access to roofs and other hazardous areas at all times and especially during social events.

• Each year fraternities, including Phi Sigma Kappa, experience numerous incidents where individuals fall from rooftops or windows.

• Many of these accidents result in death or serious injury.

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Fire Prevention• The risk management chair should inspect the house and

individual rooms on a regular basis for fire hazards.• Correct any fire hazards immediately.• Request that a fire department officer inspect the

property.• Impose stiff fines for tampering with smoke detectors or

fire extinguishers.• Prohibit open flames, such as candles in the house.• Prohibit smoking in the house.• Sleep with bedroom doors closed.

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Smoke Detectors & Sprinklers• Install smoke detectors (preferably hard wired) and check

them frequently. • Hard wired smoke detectors are hooked directly into the

electrical lines and depend on a battery only as a back up making it less likely they will fail because someone hasn’t been testing the battery.

• While installation of a sprinkler system is very costly, it is becoming required by universities and local laws and has proven to save lives. If you do not have one discuss it with your alumni housing corporation.

• Having a sprinkler system installed will reduce both your property and liability insurance premium.`

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Fire Extinguishers• Fire extinguishers of the correct size and type

should be strategically located throughout the house.

• All members should know where they are and how to use them. You may think its obvious but many people have never taken a minute to read the instructions. You wouldn’t want to be doing that while there is an out of control fire burning.

• The risk management chair should take this time explain where all fire extinguishers are and explain how to operate one (please, no live examples).

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Fire Prevention at Social Events• Make sure decorations are non-flammable.• Never block exits.• Clean up and remove decorations

immediately after a party.• Check for cigarette butts behind and in

couches and chairs.• It is recommended that smoking be

prohibited outright, but you should check the furniture regardless after an event.

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Fire Prevention is Everyone’s Responsibility

• While the risk manager should be doing routine inspections of the chapter house, fire safety is the responsibility of every member.

• Review the following checklist, if you know of or find anything that could be a fire hazard report it to the risk manager and chapter president immediately.

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Fire Prevention Checklist• All exits are clear of

obstacles, well lit and can be easily opened.

• Extinguishers, sprinklers, kitchen hoods are maintained and inspected.

• Fire alarms and smoke alarms are working.

• Emergency lights are tested and functioning.

• Overloaded outlets and extension cords are eliminated.

• Heating plant is separated by the rest of the building by firewalls.

• Trash is emptied and removed.

• Lint trap in clothes dryer is cleaned.

• Appliances such as hotplates, microwaves and coffee makers at not allowed in bedrooms.

• There is no exposed wiring in the chapter house.

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Emergency Evacuation Planning• While we hope that you never have to deal

with a fire, you should be prepared for it.

• Injury and death resulting from panic and confusion often exceed the casualties resulting from the fire itself.

• An evacuation plan helps avoid panic by creating an organized approach.

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Keys to a Good Evacuation Plan• Identify a central meeting place outside and

make sure everyone is accounted for.• Determine who will contact emergency help

and who will account for everyone outside.• Never go back into the building. If someone

is missing, alert the fire department.• Emphasize orderly evacuation.• Demand full participation in drills and

perform them at unexpected times.

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Develop an Evacuation Document• A clear birds-eye diagram with exits marked for

each floor.• Should be posted throughout the chapter house

and should indicate present location at each posting, i.e. “You are Here”.

• Primary and secondary escape routes are clearly marked.

• Show location of fire alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler connections, etc.

• Note where people should gather to be accounted for.

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An Example Evacuation Plan

• The risk management chair will now distribute and explain an evacuation plan for you chapter house.

• The evacuation plan will also be posted throughout the chapter house.

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Tips for Surviving a FireBefore a Fire:

• Know your possible escape routes.

• Count the doorways and other fixtures between your room and the exit.

• Know where the nearest fire alarm and extinguisher are.

• Keep a flashlight in your room to help see in smoke or darkness.

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During a Fire – Getting out of your room:• Get to the door, if there is smoke in the room

crawl to avoid smoke inhalation.• Feel the door knob, if it is hot don’t open it. If it is

not hot open cautiously. Be prepared to slam the door shut.

• Check the hallway, if it is clear, go to the nearest exit, close the door to your room to protect belongings and prevent drafts.

• If there is smoke in the hallway crawl to the exit. Stay close to the wall and count doorways.

• Walk down to the ground level, if smoke or fire is dense at lower levels go up to clear air or the roof if necessary.

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During a Fire – Staying in your room (if the door is hot):

• If there is smoke open the window to vent the room. If you are on the 1st or 2nd floor you may be able to drop to the ground safely. If you are higher (35 feet or more) it is advised to stay put. Do not jump unless it is your last resort.

• If your phone works call for help. Hang a bed sheet out the window to alert firefighters.

• If you have a sink, fill it with water. Wet towels and sheets and put them around the door cracks to prevent smoke from seeping in.

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Surviving a Fire

Remember – Few people burn to death in a fire. Most casualties are from smoke, poisonous gasses and panic. Have an escape plan ready and use it. It will greatly increase your chance of survival.

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Closing the House over Breaks• Check all doors, windows and locking devices.• Make sure no outlets are overloaded and potential fire hazards

are not left unattended.• Empty Garbage.• Make sure no combustible items are left in public areas.• Secure valuable property.• Notify campus police of the dates when the house will be closed.• Residents should unplug all electrical equipment (stereos,

personal refrigerators, computers, etc.)• During winter, lower the thermostat, but do not turn the heat off.

If the temperature drops the water pipes can burst.• If the chapter house will remain open over break all university

and Grand Chapter Policies must be followed. The chapter will be held responsible for any incidents that take place in a chapter house over break.

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Thank You

Please contact the Grand Chapter with any questions regarding this presentation or

other risk management questions.

888-846-6851