Fire safety is very important to the University community. All University owned buildings are subject to periodic fire safety inspections by the University Fire Marshal, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and other regulatory agencies. Most fire-related emergencies can be avoided by practicing fire safety, including avoiding the non-approved items and appliances below.
Non-Approved Items
(generally, items that can produce enough heat to start a fire if used improperly, or act as sources of fuel in case of fire) Including but not limited to:
- Hover Boards
- 3D Printers
- Candles with or without a wick, lanterns, lamps, or any other item that produces an open flame
- Tobacco, incense, or any other item that burns or smolders when used
- All flammable materials (gas, lighter fluid, charcoal, propane, solvents, )
- All items powered by combustible fuels (such as motorcycles)
- All fireworks, explosives,
- All corrosive (or poisonous) chemicals and hazardous materials
- All lightweight extension cords or multi-plug outlet adapters
- Heavyweight power strips or extension cords without safety circuit breakers, flexible (twisty) power strips
- Multiple approved power strips connected together (“chaining”)
- All electric cords extended through walls, ceilings, affixed to walls, under floor coverings, across corridors,
- Curtains/drapes
- Anything covering ceilings (tapestries, banners, posters, nets or other combustible materials)
- All decorations covering more than 20% of walls (tapestries, banners, posters or other combustible materials)
- Crepe paper, plastic or Mylar decorations, ribbons, streamers,
- Combustible materials as door decorations covering more than 20% of doors total
- Runners, doormats, or other combustible floor coverings in hallways and suite corridors
- All standard and “rope type” decorative lighting (Christmas, chili pepper, lights)
Non-Approved Appliances
(generally, devices with open elements or that can produce enough heat to start a fire if used improperly) Including but not limited to:
- George Foreman grills or similar cooking appliances, including induction cooktops, BBQ grills, or open flame devices (charcoal, gas or other fuel)
- Toasters, portable or toaster ovens, smokeless indoor grills, (except in designated cooking areas)
- Hotplates, electric skillets, crock pots,
- Combination microwaves with broiling elements
- Submersion coil water heaters
- Personal lighting that has an upward-facing lamp (regardless of protective cover or bulb type)
- Personal lighting that has movable octopus arms so that lamp can be faced upward
- Non-UL safety approved electric powered appliances
- All portable heating devices (space heaters of any type)
Residential Fire Alarm System Information
The University has two basic designs of fire alarm systems in its residential housing. For residential housing that has a fire sprinkler system installed as described in the information table, smoke detector activation in a student room results in “local” alarm for notification of the room occupants and an electronic signal is automatically sent to the Department of Public Safety, which can alert the fire department.
For residential housing that does not have a fire sprinkler system (University Park and Whipple Park Apartments) a more sophisticated smoke detector is installed which senses heat and smoke separately.
Activation of the heat sensor activates the building alarm and sends a fire alarm signal to Public Safety. Activation of the smoke sensor sends an alarm signal to Public Safety but also activates a “local” alarm to alert the room occupants.
The Graduate Maisonettes are equipped with battery-operated smoke detectors that will alert the unit occupants only.
Smoke detectors that are located in common spaces (i.e. basements, common hallways) in all buildings, except Graduate Maisonettes, and all sprinkler system activations in those buildings equipped with sprinklers, activate the building fire alarm system to alert all occupants and transmit a signal to Public Safety.
Fire evacuation policies…
RACE to Fire Safety
Rescue and Relocate anyone in immediate danger
Activate the building fire alarm. Fire alarm pull stations are usually located near exits and stair entries. Call Public Safety at x13 if it can be done quickly and from a safe location.
Confine the fire by closing all doors. First, close the door to the room where the fire is located.
Evacuate the building immediately.
Before opening any doors, feel the door with the back of your hand. If it feels hot, do not open it. If it isn’t hot, brace yourself against the door, open it slightly, and if heat or heavy smoke is present, close the door and leave by an alternate exit.
As you leave your room, close the room door, making sure you have your keys with you (heavy concentration of smoke may make your return necessary).
If there is smoke or heat, crawl close to the ground. If there is heavy/ thick smoke in the hallway, stay in your room, close the door and call x13 for help and stay near the window.
Do not take time to collect jewelry, money, or other valuables. They can be replaced— your life can’t!!
Do not attempt to use elevators to evacuate the building.
Do not attempt to use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire unless: the building fire alarm has been activated to alert others, Public Safety has been notified, you have received annual specific training in the use of a fire extinguisher, you know what is burning and what type of fire extinguisher to use. The fire is small – perhaps no larger than a wastebasket. The fire is not spreading rapidly and there is no toxic smoke present. You know the fire extinguisher is fully charged and there is an escape exit or route behind you.
As you evacuate the building, do so in a calm and orderly fashion. Walk, don’t run! Keep conversation levels down.
After exiting the building, proceed immediately to your designated assembly area. Remain there until released. Stand well clear of the building to allow maneuvering of emergency apparatus and emergency personnel.
At the assembly area, be as calm as possible and cooperate with Residential Life staff as they attempt to determine if everyone is out of the building.
Do not re-enter the building without direct authorization by a senior Residential Life staff member or a Public Safety officer.
It is the responsibility of all faculty, staff, students or visitors to report all fires (no matter how small or if they are extinguished), dangerous situations or other emergencies to Public Safety by calling x13, or #413 from AT&T or Verizon cell phones.
For additional information on the Residential Life evacuation policy please go to http://www.safety.rochester.edu/fire/ResLifeGuidelines.html
Fire Safety Education and Training Programs
The Fire Marshal’s Office will tailor a fire safety program for any student, faculty or staff group. Some examples of current fire safety programs available include Residential Life staff, Dining Services, Public Safety, Laboratory, Facilities and Services, Fraternity Houses, and Health Care. To schedule a fire safety training session, please call the UR Fire Marshal’s office at 585-275-3243.
The fire safety programs are designed to train individuals on the University’s fire response procedures, fire safety policies, fire extinguisher operation, and resident advisors on smoke movement and obscuration. All students are also given literature prior to the school year on our fire safety policies and prohibited items. Fire safety training is conducted by the University Fire Safety staff out of Environmental Health & Safety who are experienced in fire safety matters.
Tampering With Fire Safety Devices and Equipment
Fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems and other fire/life safety equipment are provided in your building for occupant protection. Tampering with any of these may seriously reduce the level of protection afforded by alarm systems, automatic sprinklers, extinguishers, detectors, etc. and is prohibited and illegal.
Future Plans For Fire Safety Improvements
The University recognizes fire sprinklers in our residence halls as an investment in the safety of our students. We completed a multi-year fire safety program upgrade that installed state-of-the-art intelligent fire alarm systems in all residential housing except the Graduate Maisonettes, and complete quick response sprinkler systems in all our residential housing except the Graduate Maisonettes, University Park, and Whipple Park Apartments. Future plans for fire safety improvements are to focus on reducing fire alarms caused by unattended or inappropriate cooking practices.