Fire Safety at LHU

Fire alarm systems report directly to the Public Safety Communications Center and are monitored on a twenty-four hour basis.  Any fire, smoke or suspicious odor condition should be immediately reported to Public Safety by calling 570-484-2278 or 711 for emergencies using a University phone.  Never hesitate to report these conditions, even if you are not sure there is a fire.  If a fire condition exists but was extinguished, Public Safety must still be called.  If 911 is called directly, make a follow-up call to Public Safety so they may meet and facilitate the fire department response.   Residence halls are all equipped with fire safety systems.  Please refer to the chart below for information on each residence hall facility. Fire Drills, Evacuation and Fire Safety Education Fire drills are scheduled in residence hall facilities once per semester.  All residents and guests are required to evacuate the building when an alarm is activated.  During a fire alarm, evacuate the building by using stairs and moving away from the building a distance equal to the approximate height of the building.  Do not block parking or service road and entrance areas as these may be needed by emergency responders.  Drills will be evaluated for their effectiveness by Public Safety and Residence Hall staff.  Resident Directors and Resident Assistants receive fire safety and extinguisher training from a Public Safety officer. Each resident receives a copy of the Lock Haven University Student Handbook.  The guide contains information concerning fire prevention measures and fire alarm procedures. Smoking and any type of open flame is not permitted within Residence Hall facilities.  This includes candles, incense or any type of fame cooking devices.  The addition of cooking and/or electrical appliances i.e. hotplates, toaster ovens, space heaters or halogen lamps are prohibited. You should consult with Housing and Residence Life staff if you have a question about any appliance. Fire Safety Systems Residential Facility Fire Detection System (Smoke, Heat, Pull Station) Fire Suppression System Fire Extinguishers present Redundant Monitoring System Fire Drills Each Year Smith Yes Yes-sprinklers Yes Yes 10 Woolridge Yes Yes-sprinklers Yes Yes 10 Gross Yes Yes-sprinklers Yes Yes 10 High Yes Yes-sprinklers Yes Yes 10 McEntire Yes Yes-sprinklers Yes Yes 10 Campus Village Yes Yes-sprinklers Yes Yes 10 Russell Yes Yes-sprinklers Yes Yes 10 North Yes Yes-sprinklers Yes Yes 10 Please refer to the chart below for campus residence hall fire statistics.  Fire Statistics Log   Residential   Facility   Total Fires in Each Building Date Time Cause of Fire Number of Injuries that Required Treatment at a Medical Facility Number of Deaths Related to Fire Value of Property Damage Caused by Fire   Calendar Year 2009                   Woolridge   0               Smith   0               Gross   0               High   0               McEntire   0               Campus Village   0               Russell   0               North   0               Calendar Year 2010                   Woolridge   0               Smith   0               Gross   0               High   0               McEntire   0               Campus Village   0               Russell   0               North   0               Calendar Year 2011                   Woolridge   0               Smith   0               Grosss   0               High   0               McEntire   0               Campus Village   0               Russell   0               North    0

Fire Safety Inspections and Improvements

Fire protection systems are tested annually by a contracted company.  Improvements, upgrades or repairs to fire safety systems are made when tests or evaluations indicate a problem exists.  Notify Public Safety whenever you notice damage or a possible problem with fire protection equipment.  Resident staff complete weekly inspection of all fire extinguishers making sure they are fully charged, the emergency lighting equipment and policies.  Any fire safety violations will be cited and referred for immediate correction.  Violators may be judicially referred.

Specific Fire Safety Procedures

• Be aware of the exit locations in your building.

• If a fire alarm is activated, immediately leave the building. Get others to do the same as you leave.

• Use the stairs, not the elevators, when evacuating the building.

• Move a safe distance away from the building, and do not congregate in roadways or service drives.

• If a person is disabled or in need of assistance, tell responding emergency services personnel. Use stairwells as a place or refuge until emergency personnel arrive to safely move the person from the building.

• Close all doors and windows. This will help contain any possible fire, smoke or poisonous gases.

• Use fire extinguishers only on small fires or only if it appears safe to do so.  Do not put your own safety in danger.

• Never  hesitate to activate a fire alarm system if you suspect fire, smoke or unusual heat.

• Provide emergency responders with any information you may have about the fire alarm condition or persons injured or needing assistance.

• Don't re-enter the building until the alarm stops and emergency personnel provide an "all-clear" message.

Definitions

Fire - Any instance of open flame or other burning in a place not intended to contain the burning or in an uncontrolled  manner.

Fire drill- A supervised practice of a mandatory evacuation of a building for a fire.

Fire-related injury- Any instance in which a person is injured as a result of a fire, including an injury sustained from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of the fire.  The term person may include students, faculty, staff, visitors, firefighters, or any other individuals.

Fire-related death- Any instance in which a person is killed as a result of a fire, including death resulting from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of a fire, or deaths that occur within 1 year of injuries sustained as a result of the fire.

Fire safety system- Any mechanism or system related to the detection of a fire, the warning resulting from a fire, or the control of a fire including; Sprinkler or other fire extinguishing systems, Fire detection devices, standalone smoke alarms; devices that alert one to the presence of a fire, such as horns, bells, or strobe lights, smoke-control and reduction mechanisms, and Fire doors and walls that reduce the spread of a fire.

Value of Property Damage- The estimated value of the loss of the structure and contents, in terms of the cost of replacement in like kind and quantity, including: contents damaged by fire, related damages caused by smoke, water, and overhaul, however it does not include indirect loss, such as business interruption.

Updated  03/25/2010