1. Welcome

2. Campus Fire Safety Living With Fire On Campus New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control

3. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Don’t Let It Happen to You! 1 out of every 3 people in this room will have an experience with fire in their future Over 4,000 people die each year from fires, over 27,000 are injured A small fire can grow very quickly Education gives you the training needed to make good choices

4. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Don’t Let It Happen to You! In the period 1993 to 1997 more than 1,600 fires occurred on college campuses in the United States More than 90% of them took place in res halls other residential structures, and classrooms The fire damage in dormitories alone approaches $9 million per year. The real numbers are probably higher!

5. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Objectives At the completion of this workshop, students will know :  What fire is  What the major causes and contributing factors of fire are  How fires can be prevented  What the special fire dangers in dormitories are  Evacuation and Life Safety Survival Skills

6. What Is Fire?

7. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire is: A chemical reaction, characterized by the release of heat and light

8. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire is: FAST

9. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house, room, or dorm. There is only time to escape!

10. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control HOT

11. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures can be 250°F at floor level, rise to 800°F at eye level and may exceed 1400°F at the ceiling. Inhaling super hot air will scorch your lungs and kill you. The heat can melt clothes to your skin.

12. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire is: Deadly

13. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire is DEADLY! Fire produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing in small amounts can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath. The colorless, odorless fumes will lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door.

14. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire is: HOT DEADLY FAST but mostly – Fire is

15. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Dark

16. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire is DARK! Fire is not bright, it’s pitch black. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around.

17. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Think about it… You are in a residence hall corridor filled with smoke, relying on the walls for balance and direction. You extend an arm and realize your hand has disappeared. Disorientation sets in as a thick haze swirls in the hallway and a blaring smoke alarm makes it difficult to think.

18. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control You get low and it is still nearly impossible to see. Exit signs are invisible so you cannot find a door, let alone feel if it is warm. You are wandering blindly in search of an escape route and the smoke continues to thicken.

19. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Adages of fire safety are easy to take for granted until you are in a fire situation. Always remember:  Stay low because heat and smoke rise.  Know two ways out  Feel doors for heat  Get out and stay out!

20. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Countdown to Disaster Video

21. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control It can happen here! Res Halls present unique hazards: A lot of people living close together Your actions impact many  “ the needs of many must outweigh the needs of one”

22. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Your mistake or carelessness could have this result This fire occurred at a res hall about 3:00am

23. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Kitchen

24. Day Room

25. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control 2 nd floor hallway

26. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control 2 nd floor hallway

27. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control 3 rd floor day room

28. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control 1 st floor – entire res hall is now uninhabitable

29. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control The pictures say it all…. concrete res hallWho ever thought in a million years that a concrete res hall could end up like this? Res Hall residents need to think twice about staying in their rooms because they think it's another False Alarm!!!

30. The Major Causes of Fires Arson, Cooking, Smoking Candles and Incense, Electricity

31. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Arson Fires One-third of res hall fires are incendiary. Thrill-seeking students can cause harm and destruction by maliciously starting fires.

32. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control December 7, 2002 At 7:15 pm, a fire was reported in a 10-story dormitory at the Buffalo State College. Major fire damage was in the suite of origin, with smoke and water damage on 3 floors.

33. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Cooking Fires 21% of all dormitory fires. Often caused by the misuse of cooking appliances in dorm rooms. This includes: hot plates, microwaves, toaster ovens and electric frying pans.

34. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control August 13, 2002 “A fire in a three-story, wood frame fraternity has claimed the life of one student at the Michigan Tech University. The fire started because the stove in the kitchen was left on, the grease in the hood was ignited, and the fire spread upwards. The victim was found 5 feet from the window in his room, trying to escape.”

35. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Smoking Related Fires 14% of dormitory fires. Even when there is a ban on smoking in housing units, careless smoking can cause unnecessary damage and potential injury or death.

36. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control February 7, 2003 A fire occurred on the ninth floor of a ten-story residence hall at the State University of New York in Oswego. The fire started in the area of a computer table in a student’s room. The fire department was alerted by the activation of a smoke detector.

37. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control SUNY Oswego

38. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control SUNY Oswego This fire was caused by careless use of smoking materials in a … non-smoking suite

39. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Candle Fires 13% of dormitory fires. Though banned on most campuses, the practice of open burning of candles and incense in college housing units continues to rise.

40. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control The result of a candle fire in a Binghamton University dormitory.

41. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Electrical Fires Electrical fires are caused by misuse of: space heaters halogen lamps electric blankets televisions hair dryers other appliances

42. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Electrical Fires The misuse of extension cords and power strips have caused countless electrical overload fires. Be aware of frayed and cracked cords.

43. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Halogen Torchiere Floor Lamps According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the halogen bulbs in these lamps have caused at least 189 fires and 11 deaths since 1992.

44. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control February 26, 2001 A fire started by a lamp killed a 23 year old Binghamton University junior in his off-campus housing.

45. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Special Holiday Fire Hazards Late November to early January: Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day Yearly fire loss is estimated at over $80 million An estimated 11,600 fires An annual average of approximately 250 injuries and 40 fatalities

46. Major Factors Contributing to death, injury, and property loss

47. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control 6 Contributing Factors Student apathy Lack of student fire survival training Combustible fire load Insufficient electrical supply Compromised fire protection systems Improper use of 911

48. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Student apathy Students, used to frequent pranks, tend to ignore fire alarms. Students are even accustomed to sleeping through the alarms because of the number of false alarms.

49. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Lack of student fire survival training Generally, students are not prepared to survive a fire: Students have not been taught:  What to do when dissimilar fire conditions occur  How to preplan the locations of exits, especially an alternate exit

50. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Combustible fire load The average dormitory room has a significant combustible fire load. The room contains common residential furnishings:  Desks, chairs, rugs, bookcases, dressers, etc.  Decorative wall materials such as posters, pictures, and fabrics.

51. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Insufficient electrical supply The average of two electrical wall outlets in a room is insufficient and below the electrical capacity needed. Students try to compensate by use of extension cords and/or multiple piggyback power strips.

52. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Compromised fire protection systems Vandalized and improperly maintained fire protection systems can inhibit early fire detection and the fire alarm’s warning system:  Cans stuffed in standpipe outlets  Individual disabled smoke detectors in rooms  Damaged fire doors  Side wall sprinkler heads used as coat racks

53. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Improper use of 911 It should be stressed that this number is for emergencies only. Campus emergency preplans should include information on how to access an outside line in an emergency.

54. Fires can be prevented by:

55. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Thinking about fire safety on the E’s Every Minute Every Day Every Where Every Time

56. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Safety Tips Cooking Not allowed in rooms on most campuses If allowed  Cook only where the rules allow.  Keep the cooking area clean and uncluttered.  Unplug electric appliances when not in use.  Never leave cooking unattended.  Don’t try to remove burning containers from a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the machine.

57. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Safety Tips for Smokers 3rd most frequent cause of college fires If allowed:  Smoke only where permitted.  Use a large, deep, non-tip ashtray  Don’t smoke in bed.  It’s risky to smoke when you’ve been drinking or when you’re drowsy.  Soak cigarette butts in water before discarding  After a party, check cushions for smoldering cigarettes.

58. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Safety Tips Candles - always dangerous 4th most frequent cause of campus fires If allowed  Blow out candles when you leave your room or go to sleep.  Use sturdy candle holders and don’t let candles burn down all the way.  Keep papers, curtains and anything that burns away from lit candles.  Never leave wick-trimmings, matches or other material in the candle holder.  Avoid items with combustible items embedded in or around them.

59. The Fire Safety Triangle Prevention Early Warning Protection

60. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Tragedy in Ohio April 13, 2003 One of the worst campus fire tragedies in recent history occurred in Ohio, killing five students in an early morning off-campus house fire. Upon arrival, the fire department found heavy fire involvement on the first floor. The five students died from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.

61. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Tragedy in Ohio April 13, 2003 The building was equipped with a single-station smoke alarm that was operating upon fire department arrival. It was not equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system.

62. Know how to survive!

63. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Know how to survive! Know two ways to get out Sound the alarm Don’t ignore alarms Warn others Crawl low in smoke Use stairwells, not elevators Once outside … stay outside

64. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Pull Stations Activation of a fire pull-station will trigger the evacuation of the building and may send a signal to security and the local fire department.

65. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Use Stairwells, Not Elevators Take the stairs:  Walk, don’t run  Stay in single file  Do not run over fallen people, help them Elevators can fill with smoke The elevator shaft can become a chimney

66. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Persons with Disabilities Need Special evacuation provisions Evacuation assistance Pre-planning Personal awareness and planning

67. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control On-campus is not the only place fires occur When you are off-campus always be aware of your surroundings. Whether you are at work, out for dinner or at a club with friends, have fire safety on your mind.

68. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Planning Ahead Know your surroundings Know where exits are located Know at least two ways out Know the location of fire alarm pull stations Keep aisles clear of all debris

69. Evacuation and Life Safety Survival Skills

70. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Evacuation Survival Skills Evacuation of dormitory housing.  Know where the nearest exit (stairwell) is and an alternate exit from your room.  From your room count the number of doors to the stairs left and right of the room.  Do not use elevators to exit the building.

71. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Evacuation Survival Skills If readily available – take purse, vehicle keys, and medications with you Feel the top of the door with the back of your hand for heat and/or look through the door vision hole:  If not hot, open the door slowly. Stay below the height of the doorknob. Do not lock the door but close it behind you.  If smoke and heat are present crawl low to the exit and evacuate the building.  If you encounter heavy smoke in the stairwell, use an alternate exit or go back to your room.

72. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Evacuation Survival Skills If the door is hot, smoke blocks the exit, or you are otherwise trapped:  Stay calm  Keep the doors closed  Seal cracks and vents if smoke comes in

73. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Evacuation Survival Skills If you are trapped :  Call 911 or the appropriate emergency number and make emergency responders aware of your situation and location  Signal for help  Don’t jump. The fire department will rescue you

74. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Evacuation Survival Skills After evacuating the building:  Report to your designated evacuation area for accountability check by the RA.  Report any concerns to RA on duty or Security.  Wait for instruction from Emergency personnel or Security.  Do not re-enter!!

75. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Key points to remember: Some things you can do to prevent fires and tragedies from happening: Take responsibility for prevention Check smoke alarms/detectors Plan escape routes Take fire alarms seriously It can happen to you!!!

76. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Survival is your first priority!

77. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Get Out and Stay Alive Video

78. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Conclusion Fire is: Fast, Hot, Deadly and Dark Major causes of fire:  Arson  Cooking  Smoking  Candles and Incense  Electricity

79. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Conclusion Factors contributing to property loss, injury, and death:  Student apathy  Lack of student fire survival training  Combustible fire load  Insufficient electrical supply  Compromised fire protection systems  Improper use of 911

80. NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Conclusion  There are specific fire dangers in dormitories  You must know evacuation and life safety survival skills  Fires are preventable with proper safety behaviors

81. The End!