Purpose

To provide a written emergency action plan that will ensure the safety of all persons occupying residence halls on the campus of Cedarville University.

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Definition

A fire evacuation situation refers to any condition involving evidence of fire, smoke, or impending explosion. This would include the sighting of smoke or fire; odorous evidence of burning, or concentrations of flammable gases.

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Applicability

These procedures apply to all residence halls on campus. Academic, assembly, business and industrial/maintenance occupancies are covered under a separate document.

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Notification/Evacuation Procedures

1. Activate a fire alarm pull station. If you are in a building that has no fire alarm system*, warn the other occupants of the building by knocking on doors and giving verbal notification.
2. Notify 9-1-1 immediately and contact Campus Safety (at least 1 person needs to ensure that this has been accomplished; generally an RA or RD.) Give the exact location and nature of the situation.
3. Confine the fire by closing all the doors in the area and rescue anyone in immediate danger only if you can do so safely.
4. Evacuate the building via the nearest exit, in a controlled yet rapid manner. All persons are to use the stairs not elevators during a fire alert situation. Persons exiting the building should walk at least 50-100 feet from the building, keeping the main building access clear for incoming emergency vehicles.
5. Remain outside the building until the Fire Department and Campus Safety have arrived to assess the situation, which includes a search of the building for any remaining occupants. Approval to return to the building is subject to the authorization of the Fire Chief.

If you are in a residence hall and a fire alarm sounds automatically, follow steps 2 - 5, even if none of the conditions appear to exist as described under the "definition".

*Note: Certain residence halls on campus DO NOT have fire alarm systems. These include: Carr, Rogers, Marshall, Palmer, South Hall, South Apartments, Harriman Hall and the Huffman and Shrubsole houses. Each unit/room in these residence halls is equipped with single station/ multi-station smoke detectors.

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Important Instructions

1. In situations where a building alarm system is being serviced, every attempt will be made to notify the occupants IN ADVANCE. In such cases, evacuation is not necessary. A minimum of one Fire Drill for Residence Halls will be scheduled during the fall and spring semesters, at a time when the majority of students are in their rooms. Scheduling will be coordinated by the Resident Director and Campus Safety Department.
2. Fire Extinguishers are available throughout each residence hall. They should ONLY be used on small, easily - controlled fires. In addition, the correct extinguisher must be used for the type of fire encountered. For example:
   
   CLASS A: Ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and many plastics.
   CLASS B: Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, grease, tar, oil-based paint and lacquer.
   CLASS C: Energized electrical equipment including wiring, fuse boxes, circuit-breakers, machinery and appliances.
   
   Cedarville University residence halls utilize two (2) basic types of fire extinguishers. These are:
   A-B-C models: the dry chemical multi-purpose units that can be used on any class fire.
   B-C models: C0/2 units, to be used primarily on B-C CLASS fires, but may be used on A class fires.
3. Depending on the residence hall, fire alarm procedures may vary.

   Residence Hall	Fire Procedure
   Carr Cedar Apts. – off -site Harriman Hall Huffman & Shrubsole Houses Marshall Palmer Rogers South Hall & Apts.	Local smoke alarms only – contact 911 and evacuate buildings!
   Brock Faith Johnson & St.Clair Lawlor Maddox McKinney & McChesney Murphy & Rickard Printy Willetts Hall complex	Automatic fire systems – may activate automatically or require pulling a box alarm device. Evacuate buildings! Always have someone follow-up with a call to 911!

4. ALL fire alarms* should be treated as if a REAL FIRE EXISTS in the building. Procedures should be followed accordingly.
   
   *NOTE: In the event that a single station/multi-station smoke detector activates in a residence hall unit or sleeping room; residents should investigate to determine the cause of the alarm. If a real or suspected fire situation exists; procedures should be followed as outlined in this document. Malfunctioning smoke detectors should be reported to Campus Safety to ensure repair.
5. The local Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services officials will handle any rescue and/or medical services required at the scene. The university CUEMS will assist as needed.
6. Any critical plant operations will be handled by university physical plant personnel in conjunction with the local Fire Department.
7. Campus Safety can be reached on a 24-hour-a-day basis in an emergency by dialing 9-9-9 on-campus, or 937-239-6491 from off-campus.
8. Further questions regarding AEmergency Procedures for Fire/Explosion should be directed to the Campus Safety & Security Department.

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Fire Safety Prevention & Housekeeping

1. Hazardous accumulations of combustible waste or decorative materials MUST be controlled, to prevent a fast-developing fire and rapid spread of smoke. Such materials include: large amounts of waste paper, corrugated boxes, wall hangings, etc. These materials should be discarded routinely to eliminate stock-piling.
2. Fire Extinguishers and hose cabinets MUST be clear of obstructions which would impede a person's ability to access these items. Pull stations, fire alarm panels, horn/strobe units, exit lights and emergency lights must also be visible and unobstructed at all times.
3. Corridors, aisles, passageways, stairwells and exits MUST be clear of obstructions which would impede the flow of traffic. Doors may not be wedged open in hallways, stairways, and bathrooms.
4. In sprinkled rooms, storage must have at least 18" of clearance from the sprinkler head to the highest point of storage, unless located against the wall. In non-sprinkled rooms, storage of all items must be maintained with a 24" clearance from the ceiling in all areas including those against the wall.
5. Stairwells and electrical closets MUST NOT be used for storage purposes.
6. The use of candles, incense, matches, potpourri, kerosene lanterns or lamps or any open flame is NOT PERMISSIBLE in any resident hall. The storage of combustible fuels, paints, or oil is also forbidden.
7. Use of portable heaters, halogen lamps without safety guards, cooking devices, etc. are not permissible.
8. Only extension cords with surge protection are permitted (power strips with surge protection). Multi-ply adaptors and the interconnection of extension cords are not permitted. Extension cords must not be run through doors or windows.
9. No items can be hung on or near the resident room ceiling. This includes items such as blankets, paper decorations to filter the light, wooden lattice work, flags, etc.
10. No greater than 20% of wall surfaces in corridors and resident rooms can be covered with flammable material such as posters, art work, etc.
11. Resident hall rooms cannot be divided by bookcases, wall structures, etc, that span from the floor to ceiling or cover a substantial portion of the room.
    
    Refer to the "Student Handbook" web page (page 50-51) for more complete details.

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Campus Safety Procedures

The supervisor or officer-in-charge (O-I-C):

1. Ensures that the Cedarville Fire and Police Departments have been contacted via 9-1-1.
2. Notifies the Director of Campus Safety or other ranking official in the department if unavailable.
3. Notifies the Vice President of Operations and appropriate Physical Plant Manager(s) if the situation requires DUE TO BUILDING OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE.
4. Cordons off the affected area or building.
5. Establishes a command post at an appropriate location.
6. Directs authorized responders to the scene via the safest and most direct route.
7. Maintains contact with University and Township EMS Squads via 9-1-1, if casualties are reported or anticipated.
8. Re-sets the alarm system after the All-Clear.

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Fire Chief or Designee

1. Assumes over-all responsibility upon arrival at scene.
2. Issues the "ALL-CLEAR" if/when building may be re-occupied.

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Director of Campus Safety/Physical Plant Operations

1. With counsel from Fire Chief, determines the feasibility of continued use of affected building.
2. Notifies the appropriate Administrative staff if the building cannot be re-occupied.

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Administration/Student Services

1. Dean or Associate Deans of Student Services confer with Campus Safety and Physical Plant personnel to make the decision to relocate students to alternate housing if necessary.

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Issued by:
Douglas W. Chisholm, Director of Campus Safety & Security
Effective date:1/1993
Last Revision: 9/2010