Fire and Safety Standards

Schools with on-campus housing must publish an annual fire safety report that includes information with respect to the campus fire safety practices and standards, and also includes the statistics concerning the following for each on-campus housing facility:

From Aug. 14, 2008 - Aug. 14, 2009

• The number of fires and cause of each fire
  • There has been 1 fire during this time period.
    • Fire dated Aug. 27, 2009
      • Student placed tin foil in microwave oven causing smoke and the glass of the door of the microwave to shatter.
• The number of injuries related to a fire that results in treatment at a medical facility
  • There were no injuries to students or campus officials due to this fire.
• The number of deaths related to a fire
  • There have been no deaths.
• The value of property damage caused by a fire
  • Fire dated Aug. 27, 2009
    • Property and building damages: $75

From Aug. 14, 2007 - Aug. 14, 2008

• The number of fires and cause of each fire
  • There have been 2 fires during this time period.
    • Fire Feb. 18, 2008 was arson
      • Student lit papers in a waste can on a table under a sensor causing smoke and water damage to the interior and several students’ property
    • Fire Nov. 29, 2007
      • Accidental grease fire from pot left on unattended stove
• The number of injuries related to a fire that results in treatment at a medical facility
  • There were no injuries to students or campus officials due to these fires.
• The number of deaths related to a fire
  • There have been no deaths.
• The value of property damage caused by a fire
  • Fire dated Feb. 18, 2008
    • Property and building damages: $4,413
  • Fire dated Nov. 29, 2007
    • Property and building damages: $1,480
• A description of each on-campus housing facility's fire safety systems, including the fire sprinkler systems

• The number of regular mandatory supervised fire drills
  • We have 6 required fire drills per year.
• Fire policies, such as those related to the use of open flames, heating devices, or other portable electronic devices, smoking in on-campus buildings
  • As stated in the Student Code of Conduct:
    • 7.1 a. Candles: Burning of candles and incense is not permitted in the residence halls. Range of Sanctions: Statement of Concern to Disciplinary Probation
    • 7.1 b. Tampering with fire equipment: Tampering with fire alarms, emergency blue lights, extinguishers, pull stations, smoke/heat sensors, and any other safety de¬vices is prohibited. Range of Sanctions: Disciplinary Probation to Disciplinary Expulsion
    • 7.1 c. Any item hung from doorways and/or windows that impedes an individual’s (i.e., emergency personnel) exit is prohibited. In addition, not more than 10% of any door surface or wall space may be covered by posters, decorations, or any other items. Range of Sanctions: Statement of Concern to Disciplinary Probation
    • 7.1 d. Interfering with emergency operations, such as police, fire, or ambulance personnel in the course of their official duties is prohibited. Range of Sanctions: Disciplinary Warning to Disciplinary Suspension Information: Violation of this regulation is also a violation of the NYS Penal Law and may be criminally charged.
    • 7.1 e. Electrical appliances other than those authorized by Residential Life are prohibited in residence halls (e.g., toaster ovens, microwave ovens, extension cords of any type, any cooking equipment {with exception of hot pots, coffee makers, and hot air popcorn poppers), hot plates, or anything with an open or exposed heating element, amplifiers, or an excessive number of speakers, and air conditioners) Range of Sanctions: Statement of Concern to Disciplinary Probation Information: Cooking is permitted in the Townhouse Complex with exception of the use of any appliance with any open or exposed heating element.
    • 7.1 f. Failure to comply with College requirements regarding evacuation of buildings during an alarm or fire drill is prohibited. Range of Sanctions: Statement of Concern to Disciplinary Probation (i.e., denial of campus residency may be an appropriate special condition depending on the circumstances involved)
    • 7.1 g. The propping of any fire or exterior door (with any object including a fire extinguisher) is prohibited. Range of Sanctions: Statement of Concern to Disciplinary Probation
  • As stated in our License for Residence:
    
    • APPLIANCES: The following student-owned electrical appliances are prohibited from use in student rooms or public areas: microwaves, air conditioners, space heaters, Foreman Grills®, or rice cookers, any open-element cooking appliance including toasters, ovens, hot plates, etc. Residents may use coffee makers and hot-air popcorn makers. College officials may confiscate any item that presents a danger to staff or residents, or which according to campus policy is designated as contraband. Return of seized items is at the discretion of the Residence Director. Items removed due to confiscation that are lost or stolen will not be replaced.
    • SAFE CONDITIONS: No person shall create a safety or health hazard in any residence hall. Examples of prohibited behavior or items include, but are not limited to:
      • No items may be positioned to block entrance to or exit from a room, lounge, window, or hallway
      • Excessive accumulation of soiled personal effects, garbage, or filth in rooms, lounges, or public areas
      • Fires, candles, candle warmers, incense, plug in air fresheners, or other flammable materials
      • Decorative lighting, holiday lighting, rope lights, lava lamps, halogen, or other high-intensity lamps
      • Propane gas, gasoline, charcoal starter, or any other combustible fuel, insecticide, or other solvents
      • Dart boards, blow darts, or similar projectiles
      • Lofts/loft beds not approved by the Office of Residential Life (Note: plans available from Residential Life)
      • Water beds, hammocks, or other sleeping devices not provided by the College
      • Cargo netting, draperies, flags, or other items that impede access or exit
      • TV antennas or satellite dishes on the roof or outside of windows
      • Items suspended from the ceiling or ceiling and sidewalls
      • Lines or cables through windows, doors, or conduits
      • Objects thrown or pushed from windows
      • Lighted or unlighted holiday trees or wreathes
      • Any item that impedes entrance or egress from a room, including but not limited to, tapestries, furniture, draperies
      • Additional items noted by Residential Life, other Residential Life publications, or the Student Code of Conduct
    • FIRE SAFETY: No person shall refuse to observe any safety regulations or procedures, nor refuse to evacuate a facility during a real or apparent emergency situation. Fire safety and/or campus personnel may enter rooms during fire alarms to ensure compliance with evacuation procedures. No person shall tamper with or otherwise misuse fire-fighting equipment including, but not limited to, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, pull stations, heat and smoke detectors, alarm bells, and exit signs. Tampering with fire safety equipment could result in campus and civil sanctions. The College allows only surge protector multiple outlet units. Extension cords are not permitted in student rooms. Not more than 10% of any door surface or wall space may be covered by posters, decorations, or any other items.
• Plans for future improvement
  • We plan to update and install sprinkler systems in the remaining buildings that do not currently have them.