Living With Fire On Campus Don’t Let It Happen to You! 1 out of every 3 people will have an.
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Transcript Living With Fire On Campus Don’t Let It Happen to You! 1 out of every 3 people will have an.
Living With Fire On Campus
Don’t Let It Happen to You!
1 out of every 3 people will have an experience
with fire in their lifetime
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
Don’t Let It Happen to You!
Approximately 1800 documented fires occur on
college campuses in the United States each year
More than 90% of them took place in dormitories,
other residential structures, and classrooms
Fire damage in dormitories alone approaches $9
million per year.
The total costs for losses are higher!
Objectives
At the completion of this session, you will know :
What fire is
What the major causes and contributing factors of fire
on campus are
How fires can be prevented
What the special fire dangers in apartments are
Evacuation and Life Safety
Survival Skills
Fire is:
A chemical reaction,
characterized by the release
of oxygen, heat and fuel.
Fire is:
FAST
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, apartment, room, or dorm.
There is only time to escape!
Fire is:
HOT
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.
The heat can melt clothes to your skin.
Inhaling super hot air will scorch your lungs and kill.
Fire is:
DEADLY
Deadly
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.
Fire is:
HOT
DEADLY
FAST
but mostly – Fire is
Smoke and smoke is . . .
Dark
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.
Think about it…
You are in a residence hall corridor
or your apartment hallway 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.
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. - You are in “big” trouble!
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!
Countdown to Disaster
It can happen here!
Apartments and dormitories present
unique hazards:
A lot of people living close together
Consequently, your actions may impact
many
Your mistake or carelessness
could have this result
Student Housing
Apartment Complex
Before the Fire
2nd floor hallway
2nd floor hallway
3rd floor day room
The pictures say it all….
Who ever thought in a million years
that your apartment or dormitory
could end up like this?
Apartment and dorm housing
residents need to think twice about
staying in their rooms because they
think it's another False Alarm!!!
Arson, Cooking, Smoking
Candles and Incense, Electricity
Arson Fires
One-third of dormitory fires
are incendiary.
Thrill-seeking students can
cause harm and destruction
by maliciously starting fires.
Cooking Fires
21% of all dormitory fires.
Often caused by the misuse of
cooking appliances in apartments
and dorm rooms.
This includes: hot plates,
microwaves, toaster ovens and
electric frying pans.
August 13, 2002
“A fire in a three-story, wood frame fraternity 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.”
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.
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.
SUNY Oswego
SUNY Oswego
This fire was caused by careless use of
smoking materials in a …
non-smoking suite
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.
From 2006-2010, U.S. fire departments
responded to an estimated 11,640
home structure fires that were started
by candles. These fires caused 126
deaths, 953 injuries and $438 million
in direct property damage. Candles
caused 3% of reported home fires, 5%
of home fire deaths, 7% of home fire
injuries, and 6% of the direct property
damage from home fires in 2010
Candle Fires Facts and figures
During the five-year period of 2006-2010
Roughly one-third (35%) of home candle fires started in bedrooms.
These fires caused 42% of the associated deaths and 45% of the
associated injuries.
On average, 32 home candle fires were reported per day.
Falling asleep was a factor in 11% percent of the home candle fires and
43% of the associated deaths.
More than half (56%) of home candle fires occurred when some form
of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle.
December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December,
11% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the
rest of the year.
The result of a
candle fire in a
Binghamton
University
dormitory.
Electrical Fires
Electrical fires are caused by misuse of:
extension cords / power strips
space heaters
halogen lamps
electric blankets
televisions
hair dryers
other appliances
Electrical Fires
The misuse of extension cords and power strips
have caused countless electrical overload fires.
Extension cords should not be used as permanent
wiring. Temporary use only.
Power strip surge protectors, should be used only
for electronics.
Be aware of frayed and cracked cords on any
electrical device – routinely inspect them; if found
damaged cease use and repair or replace
immediately.
Electrical Fire Facts
U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated
46,500 reported home structure fires involving
electrical failure or malfunction in 2010. These fires
resulted in 420 civilian deaths, 1,520 civilian injuries
and $1.5 billion in direct property damage.
Piggy-Backing Is Not Permitted
Plugging two cords together to make longer cord
.
Extension Devices May Be Unsafe
if used incorrectly.
Appliances on Power Strips Can Cause
Fires
Water and Electricity – A Dangerous
Situation
Halogen Torchiere Floor Lamps
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, the halogen bulbs in torchiere
lamps caused at least 189 fires and 11 deaths
since 1992.
Every precaution must be taken for safe use
including but not exclusive to: keep clear of any
drapes, do not place any objects above or
nearby, do not tip over, do not leave the lamp
on when unattended.
February 26, 2001
A fire started by a lamp killed a 23 year
old Binghamton University junior in his
off-campus housing.
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
Very common causes are live Christmas trees
and defective electrical lighting
Live Christmas trees are not permitted on
campus
7 Contributing Factors Per
Investigators:
Student apathy
Lack of student fire survival training
Combustible fire load
Insufficient electrical supply
Compromised fire protection systems
Improper use of 911
Drinking and fires
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.
Lack of student fire survival
training
Generally, students are not prepared to survive a fire:
They don’t properly react under emergency
circumstances
They don’t preplan by “learning” the locations of exits,
especially an alternate exit
Combustible fire load
A typical apartment or
dormitory room has a
significant combustible fire
load.
A room contains common
residential furnishings that
burn readily:
Desks, chairs, rugs,
bookcases, dressers, etc.
Decorative wall materials
such as posters, pictures, and
fabrics.
Insufficient electrical supply
Typically, there are
insufficient electrical wall
outlets in a room – fewer
then what a student may
desire.
Students try to compensate
by use of extension cords
and/or multiple piggyback
power strips.
Compromised fire
protection systems
Vandalized and improperly maintained fire protection
systems can inhibit early fire detection and response:
Cans or other material stuffed in standpipe outlets
Disabled smoke detectors in rooms
Damaged or blocked-open fire doors
Sprinkler heads used as plant hangers or
coat racks
911or 5911
These numbers are for emergencies .
Note that when using a cell phone you
may not be connected to the area 911.
Drinking and Fire
½ of all adults who die in residential fires
have high blood-alcohol levels
Burn victims who have consumed alcohol
have a mortality rate 3 times that of victims
who have not
Alcohol consumption increases the
likelihood of falling asleep and dropping
smoking materials into furniture or other
flammable material
Alcohol consumption reduces ability to
detect fire, respond to a fire or fire alarm,
and safely escape a fire
Thinking about fire safety on the E’s
Every Minute
Every Day
Every Where
Every Time
Safety
Tips
Cooking
Confined to kitchens or College Barbeque
Grills
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.
Safety Tips for Smokers
Smoking is the 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.
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.
The Station
Station Road Island Fire
Know how to survive!
Know two ways to get out
Locate all exits
Sound the alarm
Don’t ignore alarms
Warn others
Crawl low in smoke
Use stairwells, not elevators
Once outside … stay outside
Pull Stations
Activation of a fire
pull-station will
trigger the
evacuation of the
building and may
send a signal to a
monitoring
company and the
local fire
department.
Use Stairwells, Not Elevators
Take the stairs:
Walk, don’t run
Stay in single file
Do not run over fallen people, help them
Note ; use the nearest stairwell
Do not use elevators:
Elevators can fill with smoke
The elevator shaft can become a chimney for
toxic gases and smoke
The elevator could open on the fire floor
Persons with Disabilities Need
Special evacuation provisions
Evacuation assistance
Pre-planning
Personal awareness and planning
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,
keep fire safety on your mind.
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
Evacuation Survival Skills
Evacuation of 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.
Keep low.
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.
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
If on a lower level (e.g. first floor) – check
if you can exit via a window
Evacuation Survival Skills
If you are trapped:
Call 911,5911 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
come to your assistance.
Evacuation Survival Skills
After evacuating the building:
Report to your designated evacuation area for
accountability check
Report any concerns to Housing or Security.
Wait for instruction from Emergency personnel or
Security.
Do not re-enter!! STAY OUT!!!
Designated Assembly Areas
Student
Housing
Green Spaces &
Parking Lots
Key points to remember:
Some things you can do to prevent fires and
tragedies from happening:
Take responsibility for prevention
Do not disable smoke alarms/detectors
Plan escape routes
Take fire alarms seriously
It can happen to you!!!
Survival should
be your first
priority!