Campus Fire Safety

Living With Fire On CampusAugust 2005

Don’t Let It Happen to You!

• 1 out of every 3 people in this

room will have an experience with fire in their lifetime

• Over 4,000 people die each year from fires, over 27,000 are injured

• A small fire can grow very quickly

• Education gives you the training needed to make good choices

Don’t Let It Happen to You!• Approximately 1800 documented fires occur

on college campuses in the United States each year

• More than 90% of them took place in dormitories, other residential structures, and classrooms

• Fire damage in dormitories alone approaches $9 million per year.

• The total costs for losses are higher!

ObjectivesAt the completion of this session, you

will know : What fire is What the major causes and contributing

factors of fire on campus are How fires can be prevented What the special fire dangers in

apartments are Evacuation and Life Safety

Survival Skills

What Is Fire?

Fire is:

•A chemical reaction, characterized by the release of heat and light

Fire is:

FAST

Fire is FAST!• In less than 30 seconds a small flame

can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire.

• It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house, apartment, room, or dorm.

• There is only time to escape!

Fire is:

Fire is HOT!• Heat is more threatening than flames.

• Room temperatures can be 250°F at floor level, rise to 800°F at eye level and may exceed 1400°F at the ceiling.

• The heat can melt clothes to your skin.

• Inhaling super hot air will scorch your lungs and kill.

Fire is:

Deadly

Fire is DEADLY!• Fire produces smoke

and poisonous gases that kill.

• Breathing in small amounts can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath.

• The colorless, odorless fumes will lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door.

Fire is:

•HOT

•DEADLY•FAST

but mostly – Fire is

Smoke and smoke is . . .

Dark

Fire is DARK!

• Fire is not bright, it’s pitch black.

• If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around.

Think about it…You are in a residence hall

corridor filled with smoke, relying on the walls for balance and direction. You extend an arm and realize your hand has disappeared. Disorientation sets in as a thick haze swirls in the hallway and a blaring smoke alarm makes it difficult to think.

You get low and it is still nearly impossible to see. Exit signs are invisible so you cannot find a door, let alone feel if it is warm. You are wandering blindly in search of an escape route and the smoke continues to thicken. - You are in “big” trouble!

Adages of fire safety are easy to take for granted

until you are in a fire situation.

• Always remember: Stay low because heat and smoke

rise Know two ways out Feel doors for heat

Get out and stay out!

Countdown to Disaster

It can happen here!

Apartments and dormitories present unique hazards:

• A lot of people living close together

• Consequently, your actions may impact many

Your mistake or carelessness could have

this resultStudent Housing

Apartment Complex

Before the Fire

22ndnd floor hallway floor hallway

2nd floor hallway

33rdrd floor day room floor day room

The pictures say it all….•Who ever thought in a million

years that a concrete dormitoryconcrete dormitory could end up like this?

• Apartment and dorm housing residents need to think twice about staying in their rooms because they think it's another False Alarm!!!

The Major Causes of

FiresArson, Cooking, Smoking

Candles and Incense, Electricity

Arson Fires

• One-third of dormitory fires are incendiary.

• Thrill-seeking students can cause harm and destruction by maliciously starting fires.

Cooking Fires• 21% of all dormitory fires.

• Often caused by the misuse of cooking appliances in apartments and dorm rooms.

• This includes: hot plates, microwaves, toaster ovens and electric frying pans.

August 13, 2002 “A fire in a three-story, wood frame

fraternity claimed the life of one student at the Michigan Tech University. The fire started because the stove in the kitchen was left on, the grease in the hood was ignited, and the fire spread upwards. The victim was found 5 feet from the window in his room, trying to escape.”

Smoking Related Fires

• 14% of dormitory fires.

• Even when there is a ban on smoking in housing units, careless smoking can cause unnecessary damage and potential injury or death.

February 7, 2003A fire occurred on the ninth

floor of a ten-story residence hall at the State University of New York in Oswego. The fire started in the area of a computer table in a student’s room. The fire department was alerted by the activation of a smoke detector.

SUNY Oswego

SUNY Oswego

This fire was caused by careless use of smoking materials in a …

non-smoking suite

Candle Fires• 13% of dormitory fires.

• Though banned on most campuses, the practice of open burning of candles and incense in college housing units continues to rise.

The result of a candle fire in a Binghamton University dormitory.

Electrical FiresElectrical fires are caused by

misuse of:• extension cords / power strips• space heaters• halogen lamps• electric blankets• televisions• hair dryers• other appliances

Electrical Fires

The misuse of extension cords and power strips have caused countless electrical overload fires.Extension cords should not be used.Power strips, TVSS rated, should be used only for electronics

Be aware of frayed and cracked cords on any electrical device – routinely inspection them; if found damaged cease use and repair immediately.

Piggy-Backing Is Not Permitted

Extension Devices May Be Unsafe

Appliances on Power Strips Cause Can Fires

Water and Electricity – A Dangerous Situation

Halogen Torchiere Floor Lamps

• According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the halogen bulbs in torchiere lamps caused at least 189 fires and 11 deaths since 1992.

• Every precaution must be taken for safe use including but not exclusive to: keep clear of any drapes, do not place any objects above or nearby, do not tip over, do not leave the lamp on when unattended.

February 26, 2001

A fire started by a lamp killed a 23 year old Binghamton University junior in his off-campus housing.

Special Holiday Fire Hazards• Late November to early January:

Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day

• Yearly fire loss is estimated at over $80 million

• An estimated 11,600 fires• An annual average of approximately 250

injuries and 40 fatalities

• Very common causes are live Christmas trees and defective electrical lighting

• Live Christmas trees are not permitted on campus

Major Factors Contributing to

death, injury, and property loss

7 Contributing Factors Per

Investigators:• Student apathy

• Lack of student fire survival training

• Combustible fire load

• Insufficient electrical supply

• Compromised fire protection systems

• Improper use of 911

• Drinking and fires

Student apathy• Students, used to frequent

pranks, tend to ignore fire alarms.

• Students are even accustomed to sleeping through the alarms because of the number of false alarms.

Lack of student fire survival training

• Generally, students are not prepared to survive a fire:

They don’t properly react under emergency circumstances

They don’t preplan by “learning” the locations of exits, especially an alternate exit

Combustible fire load• A typical apartment or

dormitory room has a significant combustible fire load.

• A room contains common residential furnishings that burn readily: Desks, chairs, rugs,

bookcases, dressers, etc. Decorative wall materials

such as posters, pictures, and fabrics.

Insufficient electrical supply

• Typically, there are insufficient electrical wall outlets in a room – fewer then what a student may desire.

• Students try to compensate by use of extension cords and/or multiple piggyback power strips.

Compromised fire protection systems• Vandalized and improperly maintained

fire protection systems can inhibit early fire detection and response: Cans or other material stuffed in

standpipe outlets Disabled smoke detectors in rooms Damaged or blocked-open fire doors Sprinkler heads used as plant hangers or

coat racks

911

• This number is for emergencies only.

• All other calls should be directed to Security, 4226.

• Note that when using a cell phone that you may not be connected to the area 911.

Drinking and Fire• ½ of all adults who die in residential fires

have high blood-alcohol levels• Burn victims who have consumed alcohol

have a mortality rate 3 times that of victims who have not

• Alcohol consumption increases the likelihood of falling asleep and dropping smoking materials into furniture or other flammable material

• Alcohol consumption reduces ability to detect fire, respond to a fire or fire alarm, and safely escape a fire

Fires can be prevented

by:

Thinking about fire safety on the E’s

Every MinuteEvery Day

Every WhereEvery Time

Safety TipsCooking• Confined to kitchens or College Barbeque

Grills Cook only where the rules allow. Keep the cooking area clean and uncluttered. Unplug electric appliances when not in use. Never leave cooking unattended. Don’t try to remove burning containers from a

microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the machine.

Safety Tips for SmokersSmoking is the 3rd most frequent

cause of college firesIf allowed: Smoke only where permitted. Use a large, deep, non-tip ashtray Don’t smoke in bed. It’s risky to smoke when you’ve been drinking or

when you’re drowsy. Soak cigarette butts in water before discarding. After a party, check cushions for smoldering

cigarettes.

Safety TipsCandles - always dangerous

• 4th most frequent cause of campus fires• If allowed

Blow out candles when you leave your room or go to sleep.

Use sturdy candle holders and don’t let candles burn down all the way.

Keep papers, curtains and anything that burns away from lit candles.

Never leave wick-trimmings, matches or other material in the candle holder.

Avoid items with combustible items embedded in or around them.

It happened in Warwick, RI

The Station

Know how to survive!

Know how to survive!

• Know two ways to get out

• Sound the alarm

• Don’t ignore alarms

• Warn others

• Crawl low in smoke

• Use stairwells, not elevators

• Once outside … stay outside

Pull Stations• Activation of a

fire pull-station will trigger the evacuation of the building and may send a signal to security and the local fire department.

Use Stairwells, Not Elevators

• Take the stairs: Walk, don’t run Stay in single file Do not run over fallen people, help them Note MEC has 2-stairwells, use the nearest

stairwell

• Do not use elevators: Elevators can fill with smoke The elevator shaft can become a chimney

for toxic gases and smoke

Persons with Disabilities Need

• Special evacuation provisions

• Evacuation assistance

• Pre-planning

• Personal awareness and planning

On-campus is not the only place fires occur

•When you are off-campus always be aware of your surroundings.

•Whether you are at work, out for dinner or at a club with friends, keep fire safety on your mind.

Planning Ahead• Know your surroundings

• Know where exits are located

• Know at least two ways out

• Know the location of fire alarm pull stations

• Keep aisles clear of all debris

Evacuation and Life Safety

Survival Skills

Evacuation Survival Skills • Evacuation of housing

Know where the nearest exit (stairwell) is and an alternate exit from your room.

From your room count the number of doors to the stairs left and right of the room.

Do not use elevators to exit the building. Keep low.

Evacuation Survival Skills• If readily available – take purse, vehicle keys, and

medications with you• Feel the top of the door with the back of your

hand for heat and/or look through the door vision hole: If not hot, open the door slowly. Stay below the height

of the doorknob. Do not lock the door but close it behind you.

If smoke and heat are present crawl low to the exit and evacuate the building.

If you encounter heavy smoke in the stairwell, use an alternate exit or go back to your room.

Evacuation Survival Skills

• If the door is hot, smoke blocks the exit, or you are otherwise trapped: Stay calm Keep the doors closed Seal cracks and vents if smoke

comes in If on a lower level (e.g. first floor) –

check if you can exit via a window

Evacuation Survival Skills

• If you are trapped: Call 911 or the appropriate

emergency number and make emergency responders aware of your situation and location

Signal for help Don’t jump. The fire department will

come to your assistance.

Evacuation Survival Skills

• After evacuating the building: Report to your designated evacuation

area for accountability check Report any concerns Housing or Security. Wait for instruction from Emergency

personnel or Security.

Do not re-enter!! STAY OUT!!!

Designated Assembly Areas

Student MEC and other Housing Buildings

Key points to remember:

Some things you can do to prevent fires and tragedies from happening:

• Take responsibility for prevention• Do not disable smoke alarms/detectors• Plan escape routes• Take fire alarms seriously

It can happen to you!!!

Survival should be your firstpriority!

The End!