Fire Safety Information

*The Importance of Fire Safety*	*Campus Fire Safety Resources*
*Campus Fire Safety Regulations*	*Safety Procedures Checklist*

Developed by the URI Department of Housing and Residential Life & Office of Safety and Risk Management

Fire Safety at the University of Rhode Island

Why Care About Fire Safety?

With so many things to think about, why should students pay much attention to fire safety policies and procedures? The answer is clear: it can be a matter of life and death. Proper fire prevention measure and the knowledge of emergency evacuation procedures in residence halls save lives. Since 1973, forty-five residence hall fires occurring across the United States have claimed the lives of 73 people. Fortunately, that number has been declining for the past decade. Nonetheless, the threat remains real as evidenced by the tragic Seton Hall fire of January 2000 that killed 3 residents and injured sixty two. With so many people living in such close proximity within our residence halls, every resident plays an important role in preventing fires. Every resident assumes the responsibility of complying with fire safety policies, procedures, and guidelines as put forth in the University of Rhode Island Student Handbook and the Housing Rental Agreement

Fire Safety Resources at URI

Office of Safety and Risk Management

The Office of Safety and Risk Management oversees all fire safety and code compliance issues on campus. This office performs regular fire equipment inspections in all campus facilities; serves as the University's primary risk management agency; and provides direct liaison activities with the Kingston Fire Department. In addition to winning 11 awards for its campus fire safety program from the National Safety Council as well as the 1995 Governor's Award for the best safety program, the Staff of the Office of Safety and Risk Management often provide training programs and presentations to faculty, staff and students. The Office of Safety and Risk Management is located at 177 Plains Road. James Jackson - Director/Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal

Kingston Fire Department

The Kingston Fire Department is located in a recently renovated University building on the Kingston Campus (Bills Road), receives partial funding from the University, and possesses some of the best fire fighting equipment in the state. The most recent purchase was a new tower ladder truck that can provide escape up to 95 feet. This truck can reach from the road to every residence hall room on the Kingston Campus. The Department trains and drills in all campus buildings, including residence halls, and has one of the best response times in the State of Rhode Island. Nathan Barrington - Chief

Department of Housing and Residential Life

The Department of Housing and Residential Life is responsible for all housing functions within 19 residence halls as well as various other apartment complexes and locally leased properties. The Department maintains a close and well established liaison relationship with the University's Office of Safety and Risk Management and the Kingston Fire Department. Currently, a senior manager within HRL also serves as a certified fire fighter within the Kingston Fire Department. All primary residential life supervisors have received training in environmental safety programs. HRL trains and supervises all Resident Assistants and Hall Directors, who serve as fire safety resources in all residential facilities. The HRL staff are the primary enforcement agents on matters of residential fire safety and are responsible for vacating residents from facilities during fire alarms. Additionally, HRL facilities services personnel assist in the inspection and up-keep of residence hall fire equipment such as exit signs, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting on a schedule as defined by governing codes. Chip Yensan - Director

Rhode Island is Everyone's Business

Fire Safety Equipment & Inspection

The fire safety programs and equipment within URI residence halls meet or exceed all governing building and fire codes. Fire alarm systems, the most important component of the fire safety program, are properly tested and maintained. Fire drills and evacuation evaluations are conducted in each residence at least once per semester. All other equipment is inspected and maintained according to governing codes. HRL and Safety and Risk Management personnel randomly inspect student rooms each semester. Students are given a 48 hour notice of these random inspections. residents who are found in violation of fire safety guidelines are given time to make corrections without penalty. In conjunction with the current residence hall renovation project, the University is installing state-of-the-art addressable fire detection and alarm systems as well as fire suppression systems (sprinklers). The University takes seriously any deliberate defacement, tampering, or theft of fire safety equipment. Students found responsible for such behavior will face removal from residence halls as a minimum recommended judicial sanction.

Fire Safety Procedures Checklist

Always know two escape paths from your room in the event that one is blocked
A fire evacuation plan has been placed on/near the inside of your room door. Please learn the plan and do not remove the evacuation plan from your room. If the evacuation plan is missing from your room, please notify your RA.
Smoking in all URI student rooms is prohibited.
If you smell smoke or see fire in your building, pull the closet fire alarm box and immediately evacuate the building; do not attempt to fight the fire
If the fire alarm sounds in your building, do the following:
- grab your key and/or ID card.
- feel your room door before opening it; if it is not hot, leave and close the door behind you; if it is hot, stay in your room, phone for help, and wait for a firefighter.
- assuming your door is not hot and smoke has not filled the hallway, proceed to the nearest exit and immediately leave the building.
- once outside, move away from the building and wait for further instructions.
- never, never ignore a fire alarm; failure to vacate a building during a fire alarm is a violation of the University's student conduct code.

URI Fire Safety Web Sites and RamTV Announcements

Students may review all URI residence hall fire safety guidelines anytime on the web by looking for the link button at housing.uri.edu, or check out general campus fire safety information on the Office of Safety and Risk Management web site at www.uri.edu/safety/. Fire safety information is often posted on RamTV Announcement Channel 2.

Fire Safety at the University of Rhode Island is Everyone’s Business

URI Fire Safety Guidelines and Regulations

2001 – 2003 Student Handbook

6.1 Fire Alarm. Every resident must vacate a building when a fire alarm sounds.

6.5 Combustible Materials. Gasoline operated machinery, such as motorcycles or mopeds, and any other combustible items including combustible engines (regardless of their state of dismantlement), non-electric lanterns, and large combustible decorations including live Christmas trees or any part of them, are not permitted in residential units. The burning of candles, incense, and other substances, including tobacco is prohibited. Violation of this policy can result in the confiscation of such materials by Campus Police or through administrative search.

6.6 Posting. The posting of any paper, cardboard, poster, or other flammable material is prohibited in all common areas in residential buildings, except as otherwise designated by appropriate university officials. Posting in individual residence halls can be done only with the approval of the residence Hall Director. Memo boards and/or pads on residence hall room doors are also prohibited.

6.7 Appliances. (See Sections 15 and 16 of the 2002/03 Housing Rental Agreement for the most current regulations on appliances in residence halls.)

7.9 Emergency Exits. Stairways, corridors, and doors are emergency exits, and objects of any type cannot be kept in these areas at any time. Objects of any type, including bicycles, left in these areas will be confiscated at the owner’s risk and expense.

7.11 Window Coverings and Carpets. Regulation window coverings have been provided in all residence hall rooms and all common areas. These may not be replaced except by HRL. All carpets provided by students must have a “fire spread” rating below 25 and a “low smoke generation”. A certificate from the manufacturer, adhering to the above, must be available to HRL on request.

2002-03 Housing Rental Agreement

10. Room Decoration and Maintenance. Students may not post any paper, cardboard, poster, or other flammable material on any hallway surface. Memo boards and/or note pads may not be posted on the hall side of room doors. In addition, moderation should be used when decorating inside the room. Items may not be hung from the ceiling or cover light fixtures. Tapestries and/or large wall hangings must be flame retardant and not cover more than 50% of total area of all wall surfaces within each student room. Live Christmas trees and non-UL rated lights are also prohibited. Students may not hang, drape, or display any banner or object from, on, or out of balconies or windows at any time except for the purposes of official University business with prior approval.

15. Personal Belongings. An electric clock, razor, low watt hair dryer, curling iron, stereo, television/video equipment, fan, computer/peripheral equipment, UL listed iron with auto shut-off switch, and non-halogen lamp are the only appliances allowed within a residence hall room. Each room may also have refrigerator equipment not to exceed 4.0 cubic feet total capacity. Microwaves are permitted only if they are pre-approved and meet HRL and University health and safety guidelines. Regulation drapes or blinds have been provided for each student room and may not be replaced by the student without consent of the University. Carpets may be furnished by the student; however, carpets must have a “fire spread” rating below 25 and be classified as low smoke generation. A certificate from the manufacturer, adhering to these standards, must be available to the University upon request.

16. Prohibited Items in Residence Halls. Quartz halogen lights, thin wire extension cords (less than 16 gauge), hot plates and hot pots, electric frying pans, electric woks, stoves, toaster ovens, grills, and/or any other cooking appliances not otherwise approved in Section 15 of Rental Agreement. Air conditioners, space heaters, and any appliances with a rating 1000 watts or larger are prohibited unless otherwise provided by the University.

18. Fire Safety. Students are expected to notify the Department of Public Safety of any potential fire and/or safety hazards and promptly report a fire of any type. All residents are responsible for reading and observing all University fire safety guidelines. All residents are expected to observe all fire safety procedures established including the participation in fire alarm/evacuation drills. Students must leave the buildings during a fire drill or be subject to disciplinary action. Fire extinguishers, alarm systems and conduit, detectors, sprinkler heads, strobe/horn devices, door closure hinges, and exit signs shall not be tampered with or tested by unauthorized persons, nor should anything cover, be attached to, or hung from said equipment. Students are financially responsible for charges assessed as a result of tampering with fire safety equipment, are subject to disciplinary charges, and can be arrested under Rhode Island law.