Living on campus as a college student can be exciting, and moving into campus residence halls creates a sense of freedom. However, living on campus can pose a higher risk of the dangers of a fire. Because of this, students, parents, and campus staff must work together to keep everyone in the residence halls safe from fire risks.
Keeping fire safety at the forefront of one’s mind is vital to reducing fire dangers. Campuses work with students to ensure their safety and share information about keeping residence halls safe and secure and reducing the fire risk. Additionally, Keystone Fire & Security offers fire protection services in NJ and works with campus staff to help prevent dangerous fires.
Continue reading to learn more about fire safety tips for campuses and residence halls.
Fire Safety Strategies
Creating fire safety strategies for campus residential halls provides a plan of action in the event of a fire. Additionally, these strategies help reduce the risk of fire by giving various tips and advice on what to do and what not to do in your room.
Fire safety strategies may include the following:
- Installing the correct number of smoke detectors and alarms appropriately placed.
- Strategically setting alarms to provide the most significant impact and ability to detect smoke.
- Regularly test smoke alarms and inspect for damage.
- Replace smoke alarms every seven to ten years.
- Create a fire escape plan, including escape routes and the safety of residents.
- Educate residents about all fire safety strategies.
Fire Safety Installations
One key aspect of fire safety strategies in campus residential halls is using all fire safety equipment properly installed. Fire safety equipment that should be installed in every campus residential hall includes the following:
- Smoke detectors
- Fire alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Fire sprinklers
- Posted evacuation plans
Fire Safety Repairs
Fire safety in campus residential halls requires more than installing and routinely testing the equipment. To help ensure everyone living in the residential hall is safe, routine maintenance and repairs of fire safety equipment are necessary.
Schedule routine inspections of all fire alarms, the sprinkler system, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers to ensure they are working and have not expired. Replace any damaged or expired equipment and make necessary repairs to equipment, fire safety housing, and anything else that could create a hazard in a fire or emergency.
Additionally, encourage students living in the residence to submit information and requests for repairs associated with the fire safety system.
Fire Safety Procedures for Campus Residence Halls
Safety training is something students are taught as soon as they start attending school. Everything from fire drills to stop, drop, and roll is taught to all students beginning early.
When students head off to college, it is time to learn more about fire safety and what to do in the event of a fire in their on-campus residence hall. This additional fire safety training helps instill protocols about what is and is not allowed in the residence hall and how to reduce the fire risk.
Most on-campus residence halls have fire safety procedures and protocols, including the following:
- Candles
- Use sturdy holders
- Never leave unattended
- Keep away from anything that can burn
- Flameless candles are preferred
- Cooking
- Only in designated cooking areas
- Keep the cooking area clean
- Keep an eye on what you are cooking
- Electrical items
- Do not overload power strips or outlets
- Keep lamps away from anything that can burn
- Do not use extension cords for large appliances
- Use surge protectors
- Smoking
- Make sure cigarettes and ashes are out
- Use wide, deep ashtrays
- Do not smoke when drowsy
Educating students living in residence halls is critical to reducing fire risk and keeping all residents safe. For additional assistance about fire safety precautions for campus residence halls, contact Keystone Fire & Security. We offer fire alarm inspections in Philadelphia and can help ensure you have all the necessary fire safety procedures.