Chap 4 - Fire Safety & Prevention

Eastern Mennonite University partners with a monitoring service to notify the local emergency communications center (ECC) of fire alarms. The following buildings are monitored:

Academic/Administrative

• Art Center

• Campus Center

• Hartzler Library

• Roselawn

• Suter Science Center

• Seminary Building

• University Commons

NOTE: The following academic/administrative buildings require direct notification of fire by calling 911

• Lehman Auditorium

• Discipleship Center

Residence Halls

• Cedarwood

• Elmwood

• Hillside

• Maplewood

• Northlawn

• Parkwood Apartments

Fire Response Tips – Plan ahead:

• In case of fire, smoke may reduce visibility

• Study the emergency evacuation route

• Determine the location of the two nearest exits, fire alarms and extinguishing equipment

• Count the number of doors between your room and the exit door

• Do not use the elevator

In case of fire:

• If you detect a fire, pull the nearest fire alarm (if you can do so safely) and notify the front desk

• Move quickly, but calmly to the nearest exit, do not use elevators

• If you hear a fire alarm, DON’T PANIC, remain calm, take your key

• Feel the door and door knob, if it is HOT, DO NOT open the door, if it is cool, open it slowly

• If the hallway is smoky, get on your hands and knees, stay next to the wall, and count the doors as you crawl to the exit

Fire Alarm and Evacuation Procedures - In the event of an emergency that requires evacuation: RACE

When a fire alarm sounds, all must evacuate immediately:

• Close all windows and open drapes, turn lights on, close door.

• Stay to the right of the halls & stairwell.

• Keep calm. First person to exit should hold door open.

• Keep low to decrease the amount of smoke inhalation.

• Hall Directors (HD), Community Advisors (CA), faculty, and supervisors will assist at assembly areas to assist in people counting and roll-calls.

• Remain in assembly areas and wait for authorization by qualified emergency personnel to re-enter building .

Fire Procedures for Persons with Physical Disabilities

• Living arrangements will be made on the ground level when the incoming student provides timely and necessary information on their housing questionnaire.

• Residents who are identified as having a physical disability will be asked, in a private setting, whether he/she desires help in arranging for any needed assistance in evacuation.  This includes persons who acquire a temporary disability.  If the student declines assistance, documentation should be provided and the student must verify that he/she has made arrangements on his/her own. If the resident requests assistance, the CA will solicit volunteers beginning with roommates, then suitemates, and then occupants in the nearest adjoining rooms.

• Carrying an individual downstairs requires training and a great deal of caution and care.  It should not be attempted when the stairs are occupied by residents evacuating the building.  Wait for a clearing to carry an individual down the stairs.

• Landings in the fire stairwells qualify as an "area of safe refuge" for individuals who utilize wheelchairs or any other person who, for any reason, is unable to descend and leave the building. Individuals utilizing wheelchairs may evacuate in their chair from the hall to the landing, where they may await evacuation assistance from fire and rescue or other persons providing assistance, provided egress by others is not impeded.

• In the event of an evacuation, the CA on call will check to ensure that residents known to have a physical disability are safely evacuated, provided the CA is not endangering him/herself to accomplish the check.

Fire Drills

• Weather permitting, drills will be conducted within the first four (4) weeks of the fall and spring semesters.

• One (1) fire drill per semester (fall & spring) will be conducted by the residence life staff at times determined by the Campus Safety Office in collaboration with Campus Life. 

• One (1) fire drill per semester (fall and spring) will be conducted by the Campus Safety Office in academic and administrative buildings. 

• Students and/or staff who fail to leave the residence halls during a fire drill or when the alarm sounds may be subject to the appropriate disciplinary process (student or employee) action.

Fire and Life Safety Inspections

EMU community members are asked to participate in monthly safety checks in each building they occupy work or living space.  The first check should be conducted during the first two weeks of the semester.  The following policies will help you as you consider the fire and life safety concerns in you living or work areas:

• All decorations (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) should be fireproof rated.  Live Christmas trees are not permitted.  Lights may be used provided they do not have frayed cords, broken bulbs, etc. They may be strung around window frames provided they are not near or against any flammable materials. Christmas lights can only be up for 90 days, so only in the fall semester.

• Open flame candles, incense, or any type of fireworks are not permitted!

• Limit posters, flyers, and notices to bulletin boards and designated areas.

• Keep stairways, hallways, and lounges free of any objects that could block passage in the event of an emergency.

• Halogen bulb lamps are discouraged due to the amount of heat produced.

• Smoke detectors are to be checked and tested.  Facilities management staff replace batteries routinely over the summer.

• Extension Cord Safety

  • Equipment used for any form of heating i.e., coffee pots, curling irons, space heaters, etc. MUST be plugged directly into a wall outlet

  • Extension cords are designed for temporary use only.  Limit use as much as possible.

  • Do not overload cords - If the extension cord is warm when touched, the cord is overloaded.                  

  • A light duty extension cord will operate 2 or 3 small lights, clocks, or radios and stereos, or, one heating pad, or, one curling iron, if no other appliances are plugged in the same cord.

  • An extension cord will not safely operate irons, popcorn poppers, electric skillets, coffee pots, hair dryers, curling irons, etc. These appliances should be used in appropriate room where the power supply is adequate and plugged directly into a wall outlet.

  • Never use cords that are cracked, show bare wire, frayed ends, or are defective in any way.

  • Try to eliminate extension cords wherever possible. This may be difficult to do and may be inconvenient, but it remains the safest option. Try to arrange rooms so that extension cords are eliminated or used properly.

  • The electrical staff of Facilities Management will be happy to answer any questions or inspect any cords

Safety/Security Checklist

• Tampering with fire safety equipment will incur the fines up to $100. In addition, the Fire Marshall can bring criminal charges for false alarms or tampering

• The residence life staff will conduct safety/security checks in each residence hall on a monthly basis. Campus Safety Officers will conduct similar inspections in the academic and administrative spaces.

  • Monthly residence hall checks will include: .

    • inappropriate use of extension cords

    • emergency and egress lights;

    • fire door closing and latches;

    • exit obstructions;

    • obstructions to sprinkler heads;

    • exterior door latches/locks.

• Individual rooms within the hall will receive safety inspections within the first two weeks of each semester and at the mid-year break.

  • Individual room checks will include:

    • smoke detectors;

    • prohibited items such as extension cords,

    • halogen torch lamps,

    • items attached to ceiling or sprinkler heads.

• Students in violation of safety policies will have 48 hours to comply with policies. Additionally as noted above, fines may levied and Fire Marshall my be contacted.