Welcome. Campus Fire Safety Living With Fire On Campus New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control

Welcome

Campus Fire Safety

Living With Fire On Campus

New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control

NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control

Don’t Let It Happen to You!

• 1 out of every 3 people in this

room will have an experience with fire in their future

• 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!• In the period 1993 to 1997 more than 1,600

fires occurred on college campuses in the United States

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

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

• The real numbers are probably higher!


ObjectivesAt the completion of this workshop,

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

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

dormitories 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, room, or dorm.

• There is only time to escape!


HOT


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.

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

• The heat can melt clothes to your skin.


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


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.


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

Video


It can happen here!

Res Halls present unique hazards:

• A lot of people living close together

• Your actions impact many “the needs of many must outweigh

the needs of one”


Your mistake or carelessness could have

this resultThis fire occurred

at a res hall about 3:00am


KitchenKitchen


Day RoomDay Room


22ndnd floor hallway floor hallway


2nd floor hallway


33rdrd floor day room floor day room


11stst floor – entire res hall is floor – entire res hall is now uninhabitablenow uninhabitable


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

years that a concrete res hallconcrete res hall could end up like this?

• Res Hall 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 res hall fires are incendiary.

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


December 7, 2002

At 7:15 pm, a fire was reported in a 10-story dormitory at the Buffalo State College. Major fire damage was in the suite of origin, with smoke and water damage on 3 floors.


Cooking Fires• 21% of all dormitory fires.

• Often caused by the misuse of cooking appliances in 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 has 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:• 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.

Be aware of frayed and cracked cords.


Halogen Torchiere Floor Lamps

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


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

Major Factors Contributing to

death, injury, and property loss


6 Contributing Factors

• Student apathy• Lack of student fire survival

training• Combustible fire load• Insufficient electrical supply• Compromised fire protection

systems• Improper use of 911


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:

Students have not been taught:

What to do when dissimilar fire conditions occur

How to preplan the locations of exits, especially an alternate exit


Combustible fire load• The average dormitory

room has a significant combustible fire load.

• The room contains common residential furnishings: Desks, chairs, rugs,

bookcases, dressers, etc. Decorative wall materials

such as posters, pictures, and fabrics.


Insufficient electrical supply

• The average of two electrical wall outlets in a room is insufficient and below the electrical capacity needed.

• 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 the fire alarm’s warning system: Cans stuffed in standpipe outlets Individual disabled smoke detectors in

rooms Damaged fire doors Side wall sprinkler heads used as

coat racks


Improper use of 911

• It should be stressed that this number is for emergencies only.

• Campus emergency preplans should include information on how to access an outside line in an emergency.

Fires can be prevented

by:


Thinking about fire safety on the E’s

Every MinuteEvery Day

Every WhereEvery Time


Safety TipsCooking• Not allowed in rooms on most campuses • If allowed

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 Smokers3rd 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.

The Fire Safety Triangle

Prevention Early Warning

Protection


Tragedy in OhioApril 13, 2003

• One of the worst campus fire tragedies in recent history occurred in Ohio, killing five students in an early morning off-campus house fire.

• Upon arrival, the fire department found heavy fire involvement on the first floor.

• The five students died from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.


Tragedy in OhioApril 13, 2003

• The building was equipped with a single-station smoke alarm that was operating upon fire department arrival.

• It was not equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system.

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

• Elevators can fill with smoke

• The elevator shaft can become a chimney


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, have 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 dormitory 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.


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.



• 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 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

rescue you



• After evacuating the building: Report to your designated evacuation

area for accountability check by the RA.

Report any concerns to RA on duty or Security.

Wait for instruction from Emergency personnel or Security.

Do not re-enter!!


Key points to remember:

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

• Take responsibility for prevention• Check smoke alarms/detectors• Plan escape routes• Take fire alarms seriously

It can happen to you!!!


Survival is your firstpriority!


Get Out and Stay AliveVideo


Conclusion

• Fire is: Fast, Hot, Deadly and Dark

• Major causes of fire: Arson Cooking Smoking Candles and Incense Electricity


Conclusion

• Factors contributing to property loss, injury, and death: Student apathy Lack of student fire survival training Combustible fire load Insufficient electrical supply Compromised fire protection systems Improper use of 911


ConclusionThere are specific fire

dangers in dormitoriesYou must know evacuation

and life safety survival skillsFires are preventable with

proper safety behaviors

The End!

Documents

Welcome. Campus Fire Safety Living With Fire On Campus New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control