Environmental Health & Safety
University of Rochester Fire Prevention Guidelines
It is the policy of the University that any known or suspected fire or activated fire alarm must be immediately reported to the Public Safety Department. This can be done by either activating a fire alarm pull station or using a telephone to call 275-3333, X13 from a University phone or #413 from AT&T/Cingular or Verizon cell phones.
Based upon established guidelines, the Public Safety Department will notify the local fire department in the event of an activated fire alarm, reported fire, or suspected fire. Student residents or residence life staff should not call the local fire department unless they are unable to contact the Public Safety Department.
All student residents must immediately evacuate student facilities upon activation of a fire alarm. Failure to do so will result in strict disciplinary measures and possible criminal prosecution.
Each student residence facility has a designated evacuation area plus an indoor alternate in case of inclement weather or long evacuations. Upon activation of a fire alarm and evacuation of a student residence facility, all student residents will report to their designated assembly area and remain in this area until advised otherwise by residence life staff.
Upon emergency evacuation of a student residence facility, student residents must never reenter the building without direct authorization (not here say or rumor) by a senior residence life staff member, the fire department, a Public Safety Officer, Fire Safety staff or other ‘competent authority.’
Be it known that at a fire incident scene where the fire department has been summoned, the highest-ranking fire department official is in command and control of the scene.
The University will periodically conduct building emergency evacuation exercises. Student residents must cooperate during these emergency evacuation exercises and evacuate the building immediately when an alarm is activated. Failure to do so will result in strict disciplinary measures.
All student resident advisors must participate in a mandatory fire safety awareness and education presentation annually.
Any student who maliciously activates a fire alarm in a student residence facility will be criminally prosecuted and will be dismissed from student residence facilities. They will also face further university disciplinary measures.
Any student who vandalizes or removes from its appropriate location fire detection, alarm or suppression devices in student residence facilities will face strict disciplinary measures and possible criminal prosecution.
Any student who inappropriately expends or uses a building fire extinguisher will face strict disciplinary measures and possible criminal prosecution.
Students who find vandalized or defective fire detection, alarm or suppression equipment should notify residential life staff or the Public Safety Department immediately.
Students with information or knowledge about persons who are misusing or vandalizing fire safety equipment or causing a fire to be set should notify residential life staff or the Public Safety Department immediately.
Students should not engage in inappropriate activity or “horseplay” that may cause fire safety equipment to be accidentally damaged, particularly in buildings with automatic sprinkler protection.
Student residents should not attempt to use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire unless the fire is small and they have received specific training in the use of the fire extinguisher within the last year. Students should never attempt to extinguish a fire with a fire extinguisher until after the fire alarm has been activated after all RACE steps have been taken and student residents are evacuating the building.
Students should only use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire if the following are true:
- All RACE steps have been taken.
- Rescue anyone in immediate danger and remove the person to a safe area.
- Activate the building fire alarm, then call Security at X13 from a safe location and report the fire.
- Confine the fire by closing all doors.
- Evacuate if the fire is spreading beyond the point of origin or the fire could block your exit or you are not sure how to use an extinguisher
- Extinguish the fire if you have activated the fire alarm and closed doors, the fire is small and contained, you have a clear exit and you have been trained on the proper use of an extinguisher within the last year. Remember - fire spreads quickly. If you cannot extinguish it in 30 seconds, get yourself out.
- The fire alarm system has been activated.
- The fire department or emergency dispatcher has been notified.
- It is a small fire – perhaps no larger than a wastebasket.
- If you know what is burning, and what type of fire extinguisher to use.
- If the fire extinguisher is fully charged.
- If there is an escape exit or route behind the person using the fire extinguisher.
- If there is not toxic smoke present.
- If the fire is not spreading rapidly.
Students should not hang any items from or decorate in any manner smoke detectors or sprinkler heads or their protective cages.
Students must not possess or use in any manner fireworks or pyrotechnics in student residence facilities. Violation of this policy will result in strict disciplinary measures and possible criminal prosecution.
Torchiere lamps with quartz halogen bulbs greater than 300 watts are prohibited in student residence facilities.
Portable space heaters are forbidden to be used in student residence facilities.
Holiday decorations should only be utilized in compliance with established campus policies.
Extension cords and power strips/surge protectors should only be used in compliance with established campus policies.
Only approved refrigerators, microwave ovens, cooking or heating devices can be used in student residence facilities.
Bicycles are not allowed to be stored in individual sleeping rooms, hallways, corridors or stairwells in student residence facilities.
It is prohibited by policy to remove, alter or deface in any manner occupancy level signs in student residence facilities.
In student residence facilities, all flammable liquids, combustible paints, solvents and oily rags must be stored outside the building or in metal lockers and containers approved in advance by residential life.
If student residence facilities have working fireplaces, they can only be used in compliance with established campus policies.
The use of kerosene heaters is prohibited in student residence facilities.
QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?
Contact EH&S at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.
This page last updated 4/24/2014. Disclaimer.
