Focus on Fire: Residential Sprinklers and Student Housing Fire Safety

Focus on Fire Safety: Residential Sprinklers and Student Housing Fire Safety

Residential fire loss in the United States is alarming. Limiting fire growth where it occurs in dwellings through fire prevention and the use of residential fire sprinklers is one way to combat the problem. As students return to universities and colleges across the country this month, it is important to ensure that those living in off-campus housing are protected by working smoke alarms and residential sprinklers. Fire sprinklers, in combination with smoke alarms, can reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 82 percent!

According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are approximately 18,000,000 students enrolled in 4,100 colleges and universities across the country. Approximately two-thirds of students live in off-campus housing, where 85 percent of university housing fire fatalities occurred from January 2000—July 2010.

Learn the facts about residential sprinklers and campus fire safety... fires kill no matter the age!

Practice Fire Safety

By the Numbers: University Housing Fires (2005-2007)

3,800: number of estimated university housing fires that occur each year in the United States
5: average number of deaths each year
$26 million: estimated property loss each year
83%: of university housing fires are cooking fires
23%: of university housing fires occur in September and October, the peak period
20%: of nonconfined university housing fires in bedrooms are started by candles.

Leading Causes of University Housing Fires (2005-2007)

Cooking
Intentional
Open Flame
Heating
Other Unintentional, Careless

Leading Areas of Fire Origin in Nonconfined University Housing Fires (2005-2007)

Cooking area, kitchen (22.7%)
Bathroom, checkroom, lavatory, locker room (19.9%)
Hallway corridor (7.2%)
Common room, den, family room, living room, lounge (6.1%)
Laundry area (4.9%)

Campus-Related Fire Fatalities from January 2000 to Present

Occupancy	Deaths	% of total
Off-campus	118	85%
Residence Hall	10	7%
Greek Housing	10	7%
Other	2	1%
Total	140

Source: campus-firewatch.com

Source: National Fire Protection Association

As you move into your off-campus apartment, unpack, and purchase textbooks, there is one more item to consider for your to-do list – practice fire safety!

When you first move in:

Make sure the smoke alarms in the room, suite, apartment, and floor are in place and working. If not, contact your landlord to have them installed.
Arrange furniture and decorations to ensure all automatic fire sprinkler heads are clear.
Do not hang anything from fire sprinklers.
Keep furniture clear of windows and doors for quick exiting.
Never prop stairway doors open. Keep hallways clear.
Identify all emergency exits on your floor. In case of fire, elevators will not be in service.
Never overload electrical outlets. Do not staple, tape, or nail extension cords or run them under carpeting.

Throughout the school year:

Candles

Do not leave candles unattended.
Keep candles away from draperies and linens.

Cooking

Cook only where permitted.
Keep your cooking area clean and uncluttered.
If you use electric appliances, do not overload circuits.
Never leave cooking unattended.
If a fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.

Smoking

If you must smoke, only smoke outside of the building.
Use deep, wide, sturdy ashtrays. Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and hard to ignite.
It is risky to smoke when you have been drinking or are drowsy.
Never smoke in bed.
Soak cigarettes before emptying an ashtray.
After a party, check furniture and cushions for smoldering butts.

Escape Planning

If you have to escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit.
Before opening a door, feel the door. If it is hot, use your second way out.
Use the stairs; never use an elevator during a fire.
If you are trapped, call the fire department and tell them where you are. Seal your door with rags and signal from your window. Open windows slightly at the top and bottom; shut them if smoke rushes in from any direction.
If you have a disability, alert others of the type of assistance you need to leave the building.

More Information About Student Housing Fire Safety

igot2kno is a free, online campus fire safety training resource that includes a series of interactive games, frequently asked questions, videos, and much more to help educate students about campus fire safety. It is designed for students to learn about fire safety at their pace and online. This website was developed by the People's Burn Foundation in partnership with Campus Firewatch under a Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency Fire Prevention and Safety Grant.

In addition, the following websites provide valuable information related to student housing fire safety: