The following questions are taken from the American Society of Safety Engineers and are an excellent resource for parents and students. Answers are provided in relation to on-campus housing here at North Carolina State University.
Parents Guide to Fire Safety: What you need to know when your child leaves home for college
When a child heads for college, the parents and the child should be armed with information on fire prevention and become familiar with the fire safety program and protection features of the buildings they will occupy. This information will save lives and prevent injuries. The following is a guide to the questions you should ask when moving into on-campus housing or to an off-campus rental property.
When considering moving to on-campus housing, ask and get answers to these questions:
1. What type of fire safety program does the college or university have?
All occupants on campus are made aware of fire safety programs on campus and public service announcements are made frequently. “Fire Safety 101” and “Get Out and Stay Out” are two of our informational programs.
2. What type of fire and life safety training is conducted for students? When and how often.
Residents are given dormitory safety instructions and can contact Fire Protection with any requests for additional classes.
3. How often are fire drills conducted?
In residence halls at least one fire drill is performed each semester.
4. What type of training has the resident hall staff received in fire safety?
All residence hall staff receive lectures and practical instruction on fire safety and fire extinguishers.
5. Are the rooms inspected on a regular basis for fire hazards?
Yes. Fire Protection maintains a staff of fire inspectors who are responsible for inspecting every dorm room on campus on a regular basis.
6. Are halogen lamps, candles and other hazardous equipment and materials prohibited?
These items are NOT permitted in dormitory rooms. In addition toasters and toaster ovens are not allowed as well. Further guidance can be found on the University Housing web page.
7. Does the building have fire protection and life safety systems and features required by applicable codes, such as a fire alarm system, fire doors and exit signs? Are they maintained on a regular basis?
All dormitories are inspected to meet applicable codes and standards. These various systems are inspected on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual basis.
8. Are there smoke detectors in individual rooms?
The majority of all individual residential hall rooms are equipped with smoke detectors. The remainder share common corridors that are equipped with smoke detectors, but these individual rooms have sprinklers installed.
9. Does the fire alarm system notify the fire department or campus security? If not, how are fires discovered?
All alarms are monitored by the Campus Police Emergency Communications Center, which is staffed 24hrs a day. They notify the appropriate agencies in case of an alarm.
10. How do students make notification of a fire?
The fire detection systems in each residence hall are fully automatic. However, an alarm can also be activated by emergency pull stations, “Blue Light” emergency phones located in the area, or by dialing 911.
11. Do your residence halls have sprinklers? If not, what are the provisions to extinguish fires?
At this time all occupied dormitories are fully sprinklered. There still exist some dormitories that are currently under renovation and will be sprinkle red upon completion.
12. How many fires occurred on campus last year?
Last year at North Carolina State there was only one minor cooking related residence hall fire.
Walk and talk your child through the following:
- Learn the procedures to follow in case of a fire including location of exits, fire alarm pull stations, proper evacuation techniques, the importance of not re-entering a building until instructed to do so and how to report an emergency.
- Learn how the building fire protection-systems and features work, and, the impact of tampering with them.
- Understand the impact of alcohol and drugs in causing fires and preventing one's ability to detect and safely escape.
- Understand that setting fires under any circumstances can be considered arson, can result in death and will carry severe penalties.
- Recognize the hazards of smoking, using candles and incense, cooking in unapproved locations or without proper precautions and overburdening electrical outlets and extension cords. Talk with your children about how they can reduce these hazards by practicing safe behaviors.
Off-campus housing: some questions to ask before you sign a rental agreement
- Are smoke alarms installed and working?
- How often are the smoke alarms checked and batteries changed?
- Are there at least two ways to exit the living space and the building?
- Are exits clearly marked where necessary and free from obstruction?
- Do the upper floors have a fire escape or ladder available for each bedroom?
- Are fire extinguishers available and working?
- Is there a sprinkler system installed?
- Is the electrical wiring adequate? What is the electrical panel rated (200 amps or above)?
- Are there ground fault interrupters (GFIs) in the bathroom and kitchen?
- Do the windows easily open?
- 11. If the windows are secured with security bars, is there a quick release from the inside?
- If there are dead bolt locks on doors, can they be opened without a key?
- Is the building regularly inspected by the local fire department or college safety, health and environmental or emergency management office?
- What is the owner's policy and method for correcting safety problems in the building?
- Has there ever been a fire in this building? If so, identify the cause.
- Request a walk through of the appliances so the student knows how to properly use them.
- Where is the nearest fire hydrant on the street? Who is responsible for keeping it cleared in the winter?
- Did the school recommend the housing for students?
- Is the owner a member in good standing in a landlord/tenant association or other housing association?
- Has the city and/or college or university received any safety complaints regarding this building?
For more information, please go to www.asse.org/newsroom or contact Diane Hurns at dhurns@asse.org, Rennie Heath at rheath@asse.org, ASSE customer service at customerservice@asse.org or 847-699-2929 or contact the American Burn Association at www.ameriburn.org.
