Fire Safety in the Residence Halls
The following provides important information about University Housing's assessment of its current fire safety practices and specific steps that student residents should follow to help maintain a safe living environment.

What the University Has Done and Will be Doing to Enhance Fire Safety in Residence Halls
Over the past few years, University Housing has completed the following fire safety and prevention enhancements:

• Fire protection sprinkler systems have been installed in Bursley and Oxford (2006), West Quadrangle (2005), South Quadrangle, the University's only high-rise residence hall (2003), and Fletcher Hall (2004). Fire suppression systems will be installed in all other residence halls on a phased basis over the next five years.
  Schedule for next two years: Barbour-Newberry (2007) Markley (2007), Alice Lloyd (2008), Couzens (2008), and Mosher-Jordan (2008).

• New fire alarm systems have been installed in West Quad/Cambridge House (2005), Bursley and Oxford (2006), Fletcher, Baits I Houses, and the remainder of Markley (2004); Baits II Houses, Stockwell as well as South Quadrangle (2003). Previously, systems were replaced and upgraded in Couzens and Lloyd residence halls as part of large-scale renovation projects (1997); South Quad (Housing's only high-rise building), the Law Quad (Lawyers Club), Martha Cook Building (2001); Barbour, Newberry, East Quadrangle, one wing of Markley Hall and Mosher-Jordan Hall (2002). The remainder of the residence hall alarm systems are scheduled to be replaced and upgraded over the next three years.
  Schedule for next two years: Alice Lloyd (2008), East Quad (2008), Mosher-Jordan (2008).

• New fire alarm systems exceed code requirements with detector devices in non-required areas, sounder bases in student rooms and 24/7 monitoring. Installed smoke detectors in all apartments, residence hall student rooms, waste/recycling stations, and loading dock areas where large amounts of recyclables are collected (we began installing hardwired smoke detectors in student rooms and apartments in the early 1990s, and replaced them in 2000); new smoke detectors installed in 2000 in all apartments and student rooms include a battery back-up (original smoke detectors did not have this feature);

• Installed fire safety awareness posters in multiple locations in each residence hall.
  
• Upgraded commercial dryer vent ducting from flexible to rigid metal systems and kitchen hood suppression systems to meet UL-300 standards.
  
• Installed hotel-style evacuation signage in all residence hall student rooms.
  
• Installed safety covers over manual fire alarm pull stations.
  
• Upgraded mattress standards to incorporate a state-of-the-art covering, or ticking, that does not burn.
  
• Replaced water-type handheld fire extinguishers with ABC-type dry chemical units.
  
• Installed GFI circuit protection in baths and shower rooms.
  
• Prohibited the use of torchiere-type halogen lamps and candles.
  
• Connected local fire alarm systems in the residence halls to the Department of Public Safety's central monitoring system.
  
• Installed life safety equipment in rooms occupied by students with disabilities.
  
• Regularly inspect and upgrade as necessary fire suppression systems throughout residence hall kitchens and snack bars to ensure they are in compliance with the most current code requirements.

University Housing also employs two State of Michigan-certified fire inspectors on its staff.

From even before new students move into their residence hall room, University Housing works very hard to articulate our expectations with regard to fire safety, and the consequences of violating rules and regulations that are meant to provide for the safety of all. Residents are informed in both our rules and regulations handbook (provided to all new students when they sign a residence hall contract) as well as in hall and floor meetings that pulling a false alarm is likely to result in the termination of their contract and eviction from the residence hall in addition to criminal prosecution and possible additional University discipline. Over the past two years, we have experienced a decline in the number of malicious false alarms during the academic year.

In addition, University Housing carries out other routine staff functions that are important contributors to fire safety. We work hard to make sure that the staff who work in residence halls are prepared and trained for fire emergencies. University Housing is almost unique nationally because of our Housing Security department; each residence hall's safety is enhanced by the presence of Housing Security officers in each residence hall from 9pm to 7am. Housing Security officers receive specific training in management of fire safety and initial fire suppression, and are responsible, among many other things, to do nightly readiness checks of all fire extinguishers in each hall. Student resident staff also receive training in fire emergency procedures. The University's Physical Plant department conducts annual inspections of each residence hall fire alarm system prior to Fall Term Move-In. Each hall conducts a mandatory fire alarm and evacuation drill at the start of Fall Term.

What Students Can Do To Contribute To Fire Safety In Their Living Environment
Fire safety in college residence halls involves the concerted actions and attention of both the University and the students who live in our facilities. There are a number of specific steps that students can and should do to contribute to a residence hall environment that systematically works to reduce the prospect of a fire starting as well as to ensure personal safety (always the highest priority; property can be replaced, people cannot) in the event a fire does occur. Students need to appreciate that their reckless and careless behavior is likely not only to negatively affect themselves, but many others as well.

What are some of the practices students can follow to maximize fire safety for themselves and others in the residence hall? They should:

• evacuate the building each and every time an alarm is pulled (while this is common sense, it's also a mandatory policy); the fires at Seton Hall and at U-M pointedly demonstrate that not all alarms are false and that the consequences of not evacuating in a timely fashion can be deadly;
  
• never knowingly participate in any practice that results in a fire hazard;
  
• never pull a false fire alarm;
  
• contribute to a positive and life-affirming student culture that maintains that pulling a false alarm is an offense against the entire community, not just a violation of residence hall rules; a false alarm should never be dismissed as just a typical college student prank-there's nothing funny about endangering the lives of hundreds of other people;
  
• pay attention at the start of the academic year to the fire safety information discussed by staff and understanding the evacuation route to follow;
  
• comply with all residence hall policies that exist in order to reduce the likelihood of any accidental fire-this includes not having torchiere style halogen lamps that have an exposed and extremely hot region around the halogen bulb, or candles in their room for any purpose (arrangements are made during religious holidays that involve lighting candles for a supervised public space to be available for residents who wish to participate in the observance);
  
• residents should also carefully monitor their use of electrical outlets and multiple-prong surge protectors to make sure that they are being safely used, and to also periodically check the cords to all electrical and electronic appliances to ensure that there are no frayed wires or cords/wires stuffed under flammable furnishings, clothing, etc.

And Finally, What Can Parents Do To Help Maintain Safe Residence Hall Environments?

• Encourage students to learn about fire safety in their residence halls, including the route to be followed during an evacuation (instructions are on the inside of the room door) and how to determine when it is safe to exit a student room when there is fire and smoke outside the room.
  
• Help ensure that students only use extension cords, (size 12, 14 or 16 gauge conductor only, sized 18 gauge are not permitted) that are in good condition without any splices, repairs, or exposed wire. Also, extension cords should be free from any weight on top of them and not be pressed on by furniture or large objects.

And a reminder of something we mention during Parent Orientation and in communications sent to students: University insurance does not cover the personal property of residents living in on-campus housing. It is essential that personal property be covered by insurance during the time that students are living away from home-either by a rider on homeowner's or other property insurance policy or by separate purchase of renter's insurance available locally in Ann Arbor or in home communities.

For further questions about how University Housing handles fire and life safety issues, contact Housing Security or Ian Steinman, University Fire Marshal at 734-764-6185.