Fire Safety Policies

Fire Safety System

The following is a description of each on-campus student housing facility fire safety system, including the fire sprinkler system:

All of our residential areas (residence halls and apartments) are equipped with sprinklers and life safety systems with the exception of Thornhill Village (an on-campus single story, duplex community). The systems are all automatic sprinkler systems that are monitored electronically twenty-four hours, seven days a week by the Clemson University Police Department. Residential facilities have two NICET certified technicians on staff (a level 2 and a level 3) who perform the routine inspections, testing and maintenance of the sprinkler systems. An outside contractor provides the inspection and testing of the alarm systems (electrical) as well as the fire extinguishers.

Each residence hall (but none of the apartment areas) is equipped with an emergency generator that is designed to operate immediately once there is a loss of power, and the routine testing of the generators is performed by Residential Facilities. The generators provide power for emergency lighting and the fire protection equipment in the event of a power failure.

All of our residence hall kitchens are equipped with an ABC fire extinguisher. All University Housing apartments are also equipped with an ABC fire extinguisher in the kitchen area.

The number of regular mandatory supervised fire drills; see 2008 Clemson University Fire Protection Matrix for On-Campus Housing Facilities (pdf).

Clemson University has the following policies or rules on portable electrical appliances, smoking and open flames (such as candles) procedures for evacuation, and policies regarding fire safety education and training programs provided to students, faculty and staff.

Cooking and Food Preparation

Residence Halls – The ability to cook/prepare food in residence halls is very limited. Residents may prepare food in the hall kitchen areas. However, cooking in rooms/suites is limited to what can be prepared with thermostatically controlled percolators, hot air popcorn poppers or microfridges. All approved devices must have an automatic shut-off feature. Any residence hall resident who possesses or uses in their room any cooking device other than those listed above will be fined $50 and be required to remove the appliance. Microwave ovens are allowed in hall kitchens only. However, residents assigned to rooms/suites may use the combination microwave/refrigerator (microfridge) available for rent through a program sponsored by Student Government. Students may have a refrigerator in their room if it is 3.6 cubic feet or smaller.

Apartments – Most normal kitchen appliances, including microwave ovens, may be used in apartment kitchens. Grills – Propane gas tanks and gas or charcoal grill supplies cannot be stored, inside or outside, in any campus residential area, including apartments. Grills of any type may not be operated within 10 feet of a Housing facility including all entrance ways.

Electrical Equipment

Residents may alter or repair any electrical equipment or fixture provided by the University. Defects in electrical equipment or wiring should be reported to the Housing Facilities Office by calling (864) 656-5450. If more than two appliances or two appliances with a cumulative wattage of more than 1500 watts are plugged into a single wall outlet, a U.L. approved power strip with a built-in circuit breaker must be used. If the power strip is approved for multi-outlet use, then two power strips per wall outlet may be used allowing four power strips per room. Extension cords shall not be used in succession, or in conjunction with, power strips. Extension cords shall not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. Space heaters, window air conditioner units, ceiling fans and similar items are prohibited.

Firearms, Explosives, Fireworks and Flammable Materials

The possession, storage or use of firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows, paint-ball guns, slingshots, explosives, fireworks, candles, halogen lamps, incense, dangerous chemical mixtures, propelled missiles or similar items are prohibited.

Fire Evacuation

Evacuation of University buildings is mandatory when a fire alarm sounds. Sounding of false alarms or tampering with fire fighting or safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers and connecting pipes, EXIT signs and the alarm system is prohibited.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any residence hall.

Apartment areas are self-regulated in regard to smoking, meaning that occupants of the same apartment are allowed to decide smoking policy for that one apartment by mutual consent at the beginning of each year or whenever occupancy changes.

Window Treatments

All curtains, decorations or displays used in windows must be made of fire resistant materials.

Additional Fire Safety Information Provided to Students in the Campus Life Guide

Fire safety in a residence hall or apartment is everyone’s responsibility. It’s important that everyone not only follow fire safety procedures, but report all violations or fire hazards to the Resident Assistant immediately.

• Smoke only in designated areas … NEVER IN BED.
• Turn off electric blankets, irons, lamps and curling irons right after use.
• Never cover lamps with any material for any reason.
• Candles and other open flame devices are not allowed in residence halls or apartments (not even for decoration).
• Halogen lamps are not permitted in residence halls or apartments.
• Check the smoke detector in areas weekly. Go to residence hall and apartment front desks for replacement batteries. Check fire extinguisher.
• Keep hallways and exit paths clear at all times.
• Do not overload circuits by plugging too many appliances into one outlet. If two or more appliances with a combined wattage of more than 1500 watts are used, use a Underwriter Laboratory approved power strip with a built-in circuit breaker (15 amps or less).
• Extension cords shall not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.
• Extension cords must not be used in succession or in conjunction with power strips.
• If a fire is observed, immediately move to a safe area and call 911 to report the fire.
• If clothing catches on fire, drop to the floor and roll back and forth until the flame is out.
• ALWAYS take fire alarms seriously, and leave the building by assigned routes.
• Gas grills may not be used or stored in any residential area (including apartments).
• All curtains, decorations or displays used in windows must be made of flame-resistant materials.
• Do not tamper with or remove any fire detection device, and do not hang anything from a sprinkler head.

The following is a summary of staff and student staff fire safety training:

1. All full-time employees are required to complete fire extinguisher training annually.

2. Resident Director Training includes a session with the Clemson

University Fire Department. Learning outcomes are:

• Understand and learn expectations regarding room inspection checklists
• Recognize fire hazards
• How to conduct fire drills
• When and how to call the Clemson University Fire Department
• How to properly inspect equipment such as fire extinguishers
• View video related to residence hall fire safety
• Will understand their role in residence hall fire prevention and evacuation
• Will learn the correct P.A.S.S. method of putting out a fire with a fire extinguisher
• Will have the opportunity to practice putting out a fire with a fire extinguisher

3. Resident Assistant Training includes a session with the Clemson University Fire Department. Learning outcomes are:

• When and how to call the Clemson University Fire Department
• How to properly inspect equipment such as fire extinguishers
• View video related to residence hall fire safety
• Will understand their role in residence hall fire prevention and evacuation
• Will learn the correct P.A.S.S. method of putting out a fire with a fire extinguisher
• Will have the opportunity to practice putting out a fire with a fire extinguisher

Resident Assistants review procedures at the first floor meeting that include fire safety and when/how to exit the building in an emergency. Fire drills are conducted at the start of each semester in coordination with the Clemson University Fire Department. Clemson University Fire Department will meet with each student who has identified themselves as having special mobility needs to discuss their needs and establish a plan of action in case of an emergency. Each Resident Assistant conducts a fire safety inspection of all rooms in their area, twice a semester. This information is compiled and forwarded to the Clemson University Fire Department. Information included in the report is Building, Room, Violation/Concern, Action, Violation/Concern Corrected and who followed up on the matter.

4. Housing Summer Programs Student Staff Members participate in two hours of Residence Hall Safety Training each summer. The students rotated through three separate sessions: Residence Hall Fire Safety 101, Fire Extinguisher Training and Residence Hall Safety (provided by the Clemson University Police Department). Each session focuses on specific issues that could affect staff and participants while living in the residence halls during summer camps.

5. Future Plans if Deemed Appropriate by the Institution; see the Clemson University Fire Protection 5 Year Future Upgrade Matrix (pdf).