Are you in charge of fire safety for a college campus? Campus fire safety is a huge responsibility, so you deserve to have the best firefighting tools and resources available.
When it comes to keeping your students, faculty, and staff safe from fires, nothing beats having a well-thought-out plan. Everyone can follow the steps to stay safe. If a fire breaks out, people will be able to evacuate in an orderly manner. Sealing with the emergency will be less scary for everyone.
It’s estimated that around 3,800 fires happen each year on college campuses. Here are some helpful tips on how to make your campus fire-ready and increase the safety of all.
Where Fires Happen on a College Campus and How to Prevent Them
To fight fire danger on a college campus, it’s important to know where fires are most likely to break out. FEMA reports that 88% of all campus fires start from dorm room cooking. After this, the culprits are smoking and unattended power cords.
As a result, dorm safety rules should stay posted at all times, with special attention given to fire hazards. Every hallway should have a map showing the fire escape exits on each floor. If possible, cooking should happen in kitchen areas only, not individual dorm rooms.
A safety information flyer should arm residents with safety tips like how to use a microwave oven. Other useful tips could include ways to keep power cords from becoming overloaded. Smoking should happen in designated areas outside. There should be signs saying “no-smoking- fire hazard”.
Fire alarm systems should operate according to the local codes, and all students and staff should know where to find them.
Have Regular Safety Drills and a Fire Education Day
Besides following best practices for fire safety and providing educational materials. College campuses should have regular fire safety drills. Practicing evacuation from campus buildings makes it easier for everyone in the event of a real emergency.
To make this less disruptive and stressful, the fire drill could combine with a Fire Safety Day during Fire Prevention Week. There would be live music, freebies, favorite foods, firefighter talks, and fire prevention demonstrations. Then the day could culminate with the practice drill in the late evening.
Make Fire Response Training Mandatory for All Residence Counselors
Since they’re in charge of student safety, house counselors should prepare. They should spend a few hours doing annual fire safety training. This ensures that the other students have someone in charge in their dorm in case a fire breaks out.
Safety training should also include how to handle students who don’t follow the rules. This may include working with campus police if necessary.
Equip Your Entire Campus With the Right Tools to Fight Fires
Fire suppression and safety are important in all public buildings. But on a college campus, the need for good fire safety is critical.
For more information on how to make fire a remote possibility on your college campus, give us a call. We specialize in fire prevention services and equipment for large industrial and commercial properties.
We’ll help you evaluate your current fire prevention setup and make recommendations for any additional tools and equipment that you might need.
We look forward to hearing from you, so contact us today!
