Campus Fire Safety - Prevention

Owned by Sara Halteman
Last updated: Jul 28, 2022 by Wayne Martin
4 min read

Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) strives to provide a fire-safe campus and environment through the observance of proven safety standards. The university works to be in compliance with regulations that govern the campus operations and living environment of all students, as per the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), overseen and enforced by the Fire Marshal of the City of Harrisonburg Fire Department, the Local Governing Body (LGB). EMU works to monitor and enforce fire safety policies and train in fire-safety procedures with the staff and student body. The other university campuses are inspected by the authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ).

Reporting of Fires and Emergencies

Procedures for Evacuation:
If a fire alarm sounds, evacuate the building immediately. If a fire is suspected, activate the building alarm then evacuate the building. If the building does not have a centralized fire alarm system, notify as many people as possible in the building through all attempts possible before exiting. Other actions to take would follow in this sequential order:

  • Dial 9-911 (on-campus phone) or 911 (cell) and report the location and nature of the fire clearly and concisely to the emergency communicator.
  • Extinguish the fire if it is small and you have training in and feel safe attempting to use a fire extinguisher. (NOTE: If the initial use of a fire extinguisher does not suppress the fire, exit the building immediately).
  • If you do not feel comfortable attempting to suppress the fire, exit the building immediately.
  • Report to the designated meeting locations for the building (assembly areas).
  • No circumstances would constitute reentry of the building until authorization is given by proper officials.
  • Campus safety and security should be notified of the incident by calling ext. 4911. Each residence room or suite is equipped with a campus telephone line (residents provide their own telephones), and a phone is located on each floor and in the main entrance of every residence hall.

Report Fires on Campuses to These Officials:

  • Campus Safety and Security Coordinator
  • Facilities Management Director
  • Vice President of Finance

On-Campus Smoking Policy

EMU does not allow smoking on campuses.

Open Flame Policy

Open flame-producing items of any kind, including candles, lanterns/lamps or incense are prohibited in any student housing facility. Matches, lighters or anything that is a source of heat or ignition for a flame are also prohibited from use. Anything that requires an open flame, operates on fuel or produces heat from an open flame is prohibited in residential facilities.

Religious Ceremonies

While it is strongly discouraged in buildings of public assembly, the importance is recognized for the utilization of open flame devices in religious ceremonies at times. Therefore, this is permissible following approved guidelines of the VSFPC in designated areas only.
NOTE: No religious ceremonies in student housing facilities may utilize open flame devices in any form, at any time, as per the VSFPC and Washington DC Fire Prevention Code (DCFPC).

Open-air Fires

From time to time, it is desired to have open-air fires in designated locations on the main campus. EMU has developed with the fire official from the AHJ an Open Air Fire Policy along with a permit procedure that is enforced by the Campus Safety and Security Coordinator.

Fireworks

The possession or use of fireworks is prohibited on any EMU campus.

Student Housing Fire Safety Systems

EMU has on the main campus five residential halls, nine apartment-style buildings and three houses that are utilized for student housing, plus one residential facility in the District of Columbia. The fire safety/detection/suppression systems in use cover a variety of styles. The detection systems vary from those monitored 24/7 by an alarm company with multiple-station smoke alarms and alarm devices, to single station. The suppression devices range from fire extinguisher placement, to automatic wet/dry sprinkler systems with manual wet standpipe systems. The various types of detection and suppression systems in use are listed below, along with the units covered. Monitored automatic fire alarm system with multiple-station initiating devices and automatic sprinkler/standpipe systems:

  • Cedarwood Residence Hall
  • Elmwood Residence Hall
  • Hillside Residence Hall
  • Maplewood Residence Hall
  • Northlawn Residence Hall

Monitored multiple-station initiating devices:

  • Parkwood Apartments

Single station smoke detector initiating device:

  • Mt. Clinton Apartments
  • Redmond House
  • Suter II
  • Bomberger House** Village Apartments
  • Sprucelawn Apartments

Multi-station (local) initiating devices with automatic sprinkler system.

  • Washington Community Scholars Center (WCSC)

Electrical Appliances Policy

The use of electrical appliances in dormitories is limited because of safety and circuit overload factors. Appliances such as lamps (NOTE: the use of halogen bulb lamps is not permitted in residential facilities), hair dryers, curling irons, etc. are permitted. It is required that any item brought for use on campus be factory-manufactured and come with a UL listing attached.

Window Air Conditioners

Window/personal air conditioners are not permitted in residence halls unless a physician's letter is on file stating the need for special health concerns and approved by the Student Life Office. The unit must be provided by the student, not be older than four years old, be equipped with a standard 120 volt plug and not exceed 6500 BTUs. It will be installed by EMU Facilities Management personnel.

Mini Refrigerators

Refrigerators that do not exceed 2.5 cubic feet in size or 1 kwh per day in energy consumption and are UL- approved may be used in residential dorm rooms (not more than one per room).

Microwaves

Microwaves are provided in the kitchen/lounge area of each residential hall, therefore they are not permitted in student rooms.

Fire Safety Improvement Plans for Student Housing

Planning for additional capital projects will include fire alarm upgrades for campus buildings as necessary..

Student Housing Fire Drill Policy

Fire drills are conducted in all residential halls as per the VSFPC and DCFPC. They are held two times per academic and calendar year. If properly documented, false alarms, local emergency response on campus, may also be reported as fire drills.