Number of Regular Mandatory Supervised Fire Drills
Each on- campus housing facility had four fire evacuation drills scheduled by the University’s Fire Prevention Unit in 2011 with the exception of the Bellevue Gardens Complex. No fire drills were conducted at our Bellevue Garden Apartment properties in 2011 because the fire alarm system had no audio/visual evacuation devices or manual fire alarm pull stations. The fire alarm system has been up-graded and fire drills will be conducted during the 2012/13 academic year.
Policies on Portable Electrical Appliances, Smoking and Open Flames
The university’s practice is to provide at least one (1) small refrigerator in every room or suite. The type and number of units provided varies based on room capacity. Additional microwaves, refrigerators, or microfridges are prohibited in Calhoun, Dabney, Daniels, and Siddall Halls. Residents who, for medical circumstances, need to request an exception to this policy should direct their request, in writing, to the residence coordinator (RC).In Turner, Schneider, and Campus Recreation Center (CRC) halls, one (1) additional microwave per suite is permitted. No additional refrigerator may exceed 4.0 cubic feet and no additional microwave may exceed 600 watts.
The following appliances/devices are prohibited. Exceptions for medical reasons will be considered in consultation with the Disability Services Office.
- Air Conditioners (all residence facilities are 100% air conditioned)
- Broilers
- Candles
- Electric skillets, indoor/outdoor grills, including George Foreman, non-UC provided, griddles, sandwich makers and woks
- Fryers
- Halogen lamps
- Hot plates
- Hot oil popcorn poppers
- Laser sights/lasers
- Space heaters
- Toaster ovens
- Waffle irons/makers
Candles, incense, and any open flame are prohibited. Candles and incense may be used for religious rites only in the designated public areas scheduled in advance with the Residence Coordinator and Public Safety.
Smoking is prohibited in or within 25 feet of any building or building opening as a window or door, including parking garages. Please refer to the Home Pages Handbook link at http://www.uc.edu/resed/ for more information.
Fire Safety Education and Training Programs for Students, Faculty and Staff
Persons identified as requiring hands on training are faculty, students, and staff that work where portable fire extinguishers are provided and they are designated as intended to use them to fight fires. Hands on extinguisher training is an annual requirement. Persons not needing hands on training will be able to access an interactive fire extinguisher web based training program.
All members of the housing staff, including RAs complete fire safety education annually prior to students’ arrival on campus. The housing staff participates in a smoke evacuation drill, hands on fire extinguisher program, a fire department ladder/rescue evacuation and a fire safety seminar. Students are required to complete on-line training.
More information on Web-based and hands-on training.
Procedures for Student Housing Evacuation
In the event of any general fire alarm, evacuation is required. When a general alarm sounds, quickly get a coat, shoes, and your keys and ID. Look through the viewer of your room door to check the hall for smoke or fire. Feel your room door with the back of your hand. If the door is cool and you do not see any smoke or fire in the area, exit your room, lock your door, and leave the building using the nearest stairwell. Never use elevators in a fire alarm. Proceed directly outside to the predetermined meeting location.
Always evacuate for every fire alarm. Failing to evacuate or hiding is very dangerous, as a fire may not always be evident. Failing to evacuate may result in criminal and judicial charges.
If you are unable to evacuate your room because of smoke or fire in the hallway or disability, close your room door. Call 911 and report your location. Follow any instructions from the dispatcher. Otherwise, stay in the room and low to the ground, where air is fresher. Block the gap under your door and vents with wet towels or other cloth type material. Open your room drapes or blinds. If you are on the ground floor, evacuate through the window. If you are on any other floor, hang an item like a sheet or towel from your window to draw attention to yourself and wait for further assistance from the fire department.
In Campus Rec Center Hall, you should evacuate to the nearest area of rescue assistance, typically marked on a stairwell landing, if you are able. You should familiarize yourself with these locations in advance.
Plans For Future Improvements In Fire Safety
On Feb. 4, 2010, the Division of Administration + Finance Planning + Design + Construction issued the Facilities Audit of the University’s Fire Alarm Systems, which included upgrading smoke detectors and increasing audibility in on-campus housing buildings. The four Bellevue Gardens Apartments have received upgraded fire alarm systems in the summer of 2012. The University is seeking funding based on the report for additional housing fire alarm upgrade projects.
