Transcript Chapter House & Fire Safety

Chapter House & Fire Safety
The chapter house is extremely important when
developing your chapter risk management program.
(Even if your chapter does not have a chapter house
you should still review this session for safety tips that
you can apply to your own residence.)
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General Safety Guidelines
Reduce the likelihood of unsafe acts
occurring in the chapter house by:
• Following alcohol guidelines.
• Eliminating hazing.
• Prohibiting horseplay and dangerous
activities in the house.
• Promoting pride, care and respect for the
chapter house.
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General Safety Guidelines
Reduce Unsafe Conditions by:
• Keep the house clean, well maintained and
sanitary.
• Prohibit tampering with fire safety equipment.
• Have proper lighting and emergency lights.
• Develop and implement emergency plans and
drills.
• Make sure you are in compliance with all
electrical, health and fire codes.
• Identify and do not exceed room capacity.
• Maintain all heating and cooling units.
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Properly dispose of all trash and other waste.
Maintain floors, stairways and railings.
Do not allow members out on roofs or balconies.
Ensure that plumbing and electrical facilities
function and are used correctly.
Inspect and spray for insects and rodents. Keep
your house clean and empty trash regularly.
Be prepared for natural disasters such as floods,
tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes.
Encourage members to learn first aid and CPR.
Post emergency numbers by all phones.
Prohibit firearms, weapons and other dangerous
equipment on chapter property.
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Falls from Roofs Windows & Ledges
• Every chapter should implement specific rules
eliminating access to roofs and other hazardous
areas at all times and especially during social
events.
• Each year fraternities, including Phi Sigma
Kappa, experience numerous incidents where
individuals fall from rooftops or windows.
• Many of these accidents result in death or serious
injury.
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Fire Prevention
• The risk management chair should inspect the house and
individual rooms on a regular basis for fire hazards.
• Correct any fire hazards immediately.
• Request that a fire department officer inspect the property.
• Impose stiff fines for tampering with smoke detectors or
fire extinguishers.
• Prohibit open flames, such as candles in the house.
• Prohibit smoking in the house.
• Sleep with bedroom doors closed.
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Smoke Detectors & Sprinklers
• Install smoke detectors (preferably hard wired) and check
them frequently.
• Hard wired smoke detectors are hooked directly into the
electrical lines and depend on a battery only as a back up
making it less likely they will fail because someone hasn’t
been testing the battery.
• While installation of a sprinkler system is very costly, it is
becoming required by universities and local laws and has
proven to save lives. If you do not have one discuss it with
your alumni housing corporation.
• Having a sprinkler system installed will reduce both your
property and liability insurance premium.`
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Fire Extinguishers
• Fire extinguishers of the correct size and type
should be strategically located throughout the
house.
• All members should know where they are and
how to use them. You may think its obvious but
many people have never taken a minute to read
the instructions. You wouldn’t want to be doing
that while there is an out of control fire burning.
• The risk management chair should take this time
explain where all fire extinguishers are and
explain how to operate one (please, no live
examples).
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Fire Prevention at Social Events
• Make sure decorations are non-flammable.
• Never block exits.
• Clean up and remove decorations
immediately after a party.
• Check for cigarette butts behind and in
couches and chairs.
• It is recommended that smoking be
prohibited outright, but you should check
the furniture regardless after an event.
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Fire Prevention is Everyone’s
Responsibility
• While the risk manager should be doing
routine inspections of the chapter house,
fire safety is the responsibility of every
member.
• Review the following checklist, if you know
of or find anything that could be a fire
hazard report it to the risk manager and
chapter president immediately.
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Fire Prevention Checklist
• All exits are clear of
obstacles, well lit and can
be easily opened.
• Extinguishers, sprinklers,
kitchen hoods are
maintained and inspected.
• Fire alarms and smoke
alarms are working.
• Emergency lights are
tested and functioning.
• Overloaded outlets and
extension cords are
eliminated.
• Heating plant is separated
by the rest of the building
by firewalls.
• Trash is emptied and
removed.
• Lint trap in clothes dryer is
cleaned.
• Appliances such as
hotplates, microwaves
and coffee makers at not
allowed in bedrooms.
• There is no exposed
wiring in the chapter
house.
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Emergency Evacuation Planning
• While we hope that you never have to deal
with a fire, you should be prepared for it.
• Injury and death resulting from panic and
confusion often exceed the casualties
resulting from the fire itself.
• An evacuation plan helps avoid panic by
creating an organized approach.
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Keys to a Good Evacuation Plan
• Identify a central meeting place outside and
make sure everyone is accounted for.
• Determine who will contact emergency help
and who will account for everyone outside.
• Never go back into the building. If someone
is missing, alert the fire department.
• Emphasize orderly evacuation.
• Demand full participation in drills and
perform them at unexpected times.
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Develop an Evacuation Document
• A clear birds-eye diagram with exits marked for
each floor.
• Should be posted throughout the chapter house
and should indicate present location at each
posting, i.e. “You are Here”.
• Primary and secondary escape routes are clearly
marked.
• Show location of fire alarms, fire extinguishers,
sprinkler connections, etc.
• Note where people should gather to be
accounted for.
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An Example
Evacuation Plan
• The risk management
chair will now
distribute and explain
an evacuation plan for
you chapter house.
• The evacuation plan
will also be posted
throughout the
chapter house.
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Tips for Surviving a Fire
Before a Fire:
• Know your possible escape routes.
• Count the doorways and other fixtures
between your room and the exit.
• Know where the nearest fire alarm and
extinguisher are.
• Keep a flashlight in your room to help see
in smoke or darkness.
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During a Fire – Getting out of your room:
• Get to the door, if there is smoke in the room
crawl to avoid smoke inhalation.
• Feel the door knob, if it is hot don’t open it. If it is
not hot open cautiously. Be prepared to slam the
door shut.
• Check the hallway, if it is clear, go to the nearest
exit, close the door to your room to protect
belongings and prevent drafts.
• If there is smoke in the hallway crawl to the exit.
Stay close to the wall and count doorways.
• Walk down to the ground level, if smoke or fire is
dense at lower levels go up to clear air or the roof
if necessary.
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During a Fire – Staying in your room (if the door
is hot):
• If there is smoke open the window to vent the
room. If you are on the 1st or 2nd floor you may be
able to drop to the ground safely. If you are
higher (35 feet or more) it is advised to stay put.
Do not jump unless it is your last resort.
• If your phone works call for help. Hang a bed
sheet out the window to alert firefighters.
• If you have a sink, fill it with water. Wet towels
and sheets and put them around the door cracks
to prevent smoke from seeping in.
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Surviving a Fire
Remember – Few people burn to death in a
fire. Most casualties are from smoke,
poisonous gasses and panic. Have an
escape plan ready and use it. It will greatly
increase your chance of survival.
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Closing the House over Breaks
• Check all doors, windows and locking devices.
• Make sure no outlets are overloaded and potential fire hazards
are not left unattended.
• Empty Garbage.
• Make sure no combustible items are left in public areas.
• Secure valuable property.
• Notify campus police of the dates when the house will be closed.
• Residents should unplug all electrical equipment (stereos,
personal refrigerators, computers, etc.)
• During winter, lower the thermostat, but do not turn the heat off.
If the temperature drops the water pipes can burst.
• If the chapter house will remain open over break all university
and Grand Chapter Policies must be followed. The chapter will
be held responsible for any incidents that take place in a chapter
house over break.
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Thank You
Please contact the Grand Chapter with any
questions regarding this presentation or
other risk management questions.
888-846-6851
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