09:33:00 Fire Safety

PURPOSE

The purpose for this general order is to establish fire safety policies in accordance with state law, TBR policy and Clery Act requirements for student housing facilities. 

POLICY

Walters State is a community college and does not provide student housing except for housing accommodations that are provided to students attending the Basic Police Recruit School located at the Niswonger Campus. The Basic Police Recruit School convenes four times per year for duration of eight weeks each time. The fire safety policy and regulations set forth encompass procedures to be followed by all campus and building occupants to include those limited situations where students are housed in student housing, as referenced above.  

Fire alarm systems consist of audible/strobe alert systems and sprinkler/dry chemical extinguishing systems. Fire alarm systems are inspected and tested on a regular basis by Facility Management. Walters State is under close monitoring, guidance and inspection by the State Fire Marshall, as well as the local fire department, to comply with state and fire code. Campus safety officers conduct safety checks on all hand held fire extinguishers on a monthly basis to ensure that they are properly charged and ready to use. The need for replacement or charging of extinguishers is reported to and arranged by Facilities Management.

FIRE ALARMS, SPRINKLER AND DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS

Fire alarms are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days per week by an answering service, which will contact local police, fire department and Campus Police. The alarm itself will sound in the building and will consist of a continuous loud buzzer with a flashing strobe light. This alarm will sound when a fire is burning or is imminent in one of the buildings occupied by students, faculty and staff. As flames and heat intensify, sprinkler or halon extinguishing systems will engage to extinguish the blaze. These systems are tested annually by the Facilities Management Department. System testing is announced so as not to cause undue panic or alarm.

TESTING AND MAINTENANCE

Fire alarm and extinguishing systems are maintained by Facilities Management and tested on an annual basis. A campus fire safety log is maintained to document upkeep of the system. The campus fire safety log is included in the Campus Crime and Fire Safety Report published annually by the Campus Police department.

FIRE PREVENTION

1. Tampering with firefighting equipment or alarm systems or sending a false alarm when no emergency exists endangers occupants and damages public property. Any person suspected of tampering with equipment or alarms or sending a false alarm will be referred to the appropriate administrative authority or Campus Police for disciplinary action and/or prosecution.
2. College foyers, stair landings and hallways will be kept clear of unauthorized items such as furniture, storage containers, etc. No item may be placed in such a way that emergency evacuation of the building is impeded.
3. No flammable liquids, candles, incense burners, open flame devices, cooking appliances or portable heating units are allowed in student housing units.
4. College employees should be cognizant of fire hazards presented by the use of coffee makers, microwave ovens and portable heating units and should ensure proper use and that such electronic items are turned off when unattended. 

FIRE EVACUATION PROCEDURE

1. When the fire alarm is sounding, all students, faculty and staff should clear the building by the nearest exit and proceed to the designated evacuation rally point.  Any individuals with disabilities should be assisted in exiting the building. Students, faculty and staff should stand clear unless called upon to help. Individuals are not to return to the building until the “all clear” is given.
2. In the event a fire is observed or discovered, evacuate the area and pull the nearest fire alarm.
3. From a safe location, contact Campus Police or dial 911 for local police.
4. If the fire alarm is sounding, all persons must immediately evacuate and assist in the evacuation of building occupants as appropriate.  As areas are checked and cleared of occupants, lights are turned out and doors closed.
5. Close but DO NOT LOCK DOORS as fire personnel may need to enter the area.
6. Follow evacuation plan/route for the building.
7. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.
8. If heavy smoke is encountered, direct those with you to crawl on their hands and knees to the nearest exit. If visibility is greatly diminished, form a human chain by maintaining physical contact with the person in front while continuing to crawl. Try to maintain contact with a hallway wall. Follow the wall until an exit is reached.
9. After leaving the building, assemble at the designated evacuation rally point.
10. DO NOT re-enter the building, or allow anyone else to re-enter, until instructed to do so by emergency responders, Campus Police or WSCC administrative staff.
11. If the fire is directly outside the room and is preventing evacuation, do not open the door. Notify Campus Police via telephone. If possible, wet a towel or garment and place under the door. If the room has a window, direct everyone to stand nearby. Open or break the window if it becomes necessary. Evacuate quickly once the window is open, as the oxygen will fuel the fire.
12. Follow the directions of the emergency responders or Campus Police personnel regarding evacuation.
13. In the event an upper level floor is affected, assist disabled persons to the refuge area of the building or near the location of the Evacu-trac chair. Use the Evacu-trac chair to take the person down the stairs and out of the building. If training on the use of the Evacu-trac chair has not been received, notify the building coordinator or Campus Police. Ensure that someone remains with the individual until help arrives.

FIRE DRILLS

Fire drills will be conducted as part of the annual training schedule and in accordance with evacuation procedures. All incidents of unintentional/non control burn fires must be reported to the appropriate personnel (e.g., Campus Police or administration) whether Fire Department response is required or not. All department heads, supervisors, etc., will ensure that their employees are aware of the location of the fire extinguishers and fire alarm pull boxes in their work areas.

All employees shall be made aware of the emergency evacuation routes for their work area, the location of fire exit windows, etc. In addition, elevators are not to be used in the event of fire. In addition, fire safety procedures should be reviewed with employees.

FIRE SAFETY

Although the potential for fire always exists, routine inspections, maintenance, and training are effective elements in reducing bodily injury, loss of life and damage to property. All faculty, staff and students should be knowledgeable of those elements that cause fires and of procedures to eliminate them. Everyone should be aware of basic fire safety regulations and conditions that have potential to start a fire, such as the unsafe use of extension cords or the improper storage of chemicals, paint, cleaning supplies, rags, paper, etc.

Routine inspections and maintenance of fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, fire hydrants, smoke alarms, and fire-fighting equipment are essential and is the combined responsibility of Facilities Management and Campus Police. At the same time, each facility should have posted evacuation plans, illuminated exit signs, functional emergency lights, self-closing doors, and any special fire safety equipment.

Fires present a danger to individuals within a limited area and usually will not require action of the Emergency Operations Center unless the fire is out of control and numerous potential or actual casualties are involved. After defining the hazard area, personnel will be notified to evacuate from buildings by the activation of the fire alarm system and should move a safe distance (at least 100 yards) away to the designated evacuation rally areas. The area should then be secured until firefighting personnel arrive. Supervisory personnel will make every effort to account for faculty, staff and students and prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the building.

Fire safety logs are made available at the following link: Annual Safety Report , are included in the Annual Safety Report (See Appendix G), and are available in hard copy in the Campus Police office and may be viewed upon request. 

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF FIRE

When the fire alarm is sounding, all students, faculty and staff should evacuate the building by the nearest exit and proceed to the designated outside rally point for the building occupied. Any individuals with disabilities should be assisted in exiting the building. Students, faculty, and staff should stand clear unless called upon to help. Do not return to the building until the all clear is given.

FIRE SAFETY LOG - NISWONGER CAMPUS

The institution maintains a written fire log that records, by the date reported, any fire that occurs in an on-campus student housing facility.  Records of fires that occur anywhere else on campus do not have to be but can be, maintained on this log for record purposes if needed.  The log may be either a hard copy or an electronic format.  

When notified of a fire occurring on campus properties, Campus Police will immediately notify the local fire and police department. The campus/building emergency evacuation plan will be executed. When possible and after the fire is extinguished Campus Police will assist in securing the fire scene area. Upon arrival, the fire department will take command and control of the scene. Local police and/or fire department to conduct the necessary investigation will contact the local Fire Marshall and Arson Investigator.

10/19