ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY REPORT
In compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) Greensboro college publishes annually a Fire Safety Report and Fire Log. The report contains, fire statistics, a description of fire safety systems in each residential housing facility, the number of fire drills held the previous calendar year, the institutions policies on portable electrical appliances, smoking, and open flames in housing facilities, procedures for student housing evacuations and policies for fire safety.
Fire Log
The Campus Safety and Security Department maintains a written, easily understood fire log that records, by the date that the fire was reported, any fire that occurred in an on campus student housing facility. This log includes the nature, date, time, and general location of each fire.
Fire Safety Systems,Training, and Drills
At Greensboro College, all four Residential buildings are completely coveredby a fire alarm system, which is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The buildingsare also equipped with emergency back up batteries that are designed to automaticallyactivate whenever there is a power loss. These various batteries will operate lifesafety systems, including all fire safety equipment, hallway lighting, emergency exit doors, and lighting in all emergency exit stairwells.
All residential life staff (Residence Advisors & Residence Directors) receive intensive and comprehensive fire safety training at the beginning of each semester. Every student room has a smoke detector installed on the inside wall. Fire exit drills are conducted each semester in every residential building.
Fire Inspection and Prevention Policy
It is the obligation of the Campus Safety and Security Department to provide students, faculty, staff and visitors with the safest possible environment, free from potential fire hazards. The primary goal of fire prevention is to recognize hazardous conditions and take appropriate action before such conditions result in a fire emergency. This goal is accomplished by conducting periodic fire safety inspections of all Campus buildings and conducting third-party fire safety audits.
Regarding fire safety inspections, fire and life-safety features of the buildings shall be in compliance with all applicable standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and adopted by TheState of North Carolina and City of Greensboro.
The Greensboro Fire Department’s Fire Inspector conducts fire safety inspections of all campus buildings. Some buildings may be inspected more frequently as deemed necessary. A copy of the completed Fire Inspection Report for each building will be forwarded to the appropriate department responsible for maintaining fire safety compliance of that building. The responsible department will be expected to correct any deficiencies and notify Physical Plant by returning a copy of the report indicating the date (as determined by the GFD) when each deficiency was corrected. Physical Plant will conduct a follow-up inspection to verify correction of all deficiencies once notification has been received. Copies of all completed Fire Inspection Reports will be maintained by the Physical Plant.
To minimize the potential for fires, The College strictly prohibits the possession or use of fireworks or combustible materials of any kind which includes, but is not limited to, halogen lamps, gasoline, and paint thinner, kerosene, incense, oil lamps, candles and other articles that may be a source of flames. All such articles will be confiscated. Tampering with fire alarms and fire-fighting equipment, failing to render reasonable cooperation in any fire-related emergency, deliberately setting a fire, failing to leave a building during a fire drill or fire-related emergency, setting off a fire alarm other than in case of emergency and failing to report a fire are violations of this policy. Greensboro College is required by law to report fire safety violations to the proper authorities. The campus fire alarm system is critical to the protection of the lives and property of students. North Carolina General Statute Section 14-286 states as follows: Giving false fire alarms; molesting fire-alarm, fire-detection or fire-extinguishing system. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to wantonly and willfully give or cause to be given, or to advise, counsel, or aid and abet anyone in giving a false alarm of fire, or to break the glass key protector, or to pull the slide, arm, or lever of any station or signal box of any fire-alarm system, except in case of fire, or willfully misuse or damage a portable fire extinguisher, or in any way to willfully interfere with, damage, deface, molest, or injure any part or portion of any fire-alarm, fire-detection, smoke-detection or fire-extinguishing system. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS
In compliance with state law, fire drills will be conducted at various times throughout the year to insure that all on-campus residents are familiar with evacuation procedures. Any substance that could cause a fire is not permitted in the residence halls at any time. These items will be confiscated and are not subject to be returned.
Additionally, students, faculty and staff should maintain a safe environment in all campus facilities and should follow the procedures below in the event that a fire is discovered or if they see or smell something that indicates a fire in any campus building or on campus grounds.
- Pull the alarm if it has not yet been activated.
- Do not attempt to extinguish a fire until an alarm has been sounded
- Close room doors and exit the building.
- Do not use the elevator.
- Call 911 and report the location of the fire.
- Do not reenter the building until instructed by campus security.
In the event of a fire alarm, all occupants of the building are required to vacate. Failure to do so is a violation of the Student Conduct Code. Tampering with or inappropriately handling any fire and/or safety equipment (including but not limited to fire extinguishers, fire hoses, smoke alarms and detectors, fire safety vehicles) is strictly prohibited and a violation of federal/state law and the Student Conduct Code.
Evacuation Procedures
Upon hearing a fire alarm, evacuate the building by stairs and exits. Do not use elevators. Once outside the building, stay out and move away from the building to clear access for the fire department and other emergency responders. Do not re-enter the building until expressly advised that it is safe to do so by a Fire Department incident commander or Campus Security officer.Any fires that were quickly extinguished or any evidence of recent fires must be reported immediately to a Security officer and Residential Life staff member who will document the incidentas required. Campus Safety and Security will coordinate with Residential Life, City of Greensboro Police and Fire Departments in the investigation of each fire incident.Fire SafetyTipsmatters: 2009-2010 Annual Fire Safety Report |
