The misuse or abuse of any life safety equipment in any campus building or facility is a serious violation of College policy.

Trained students are encouraged to use fire extinguishers when warranted for fire safety. If you are uncertain how to properly use the extinguisher contact the Office of Public Safety. If you suspect there is a problem with your extinguisher, contact the Office of Public Safety immediately. If you have cause to discharge your extinguisher for fire control you must immediately advise the Office of Public Safety to report the fire and use of the extinguisher. If a fire extinguisher is discharged for any reason other than to control a fire, or tampered with in any way to cause the extinguisher to be inoperable or unavailable for emergency use, the person responsible or occupant(s) of the floor will be charged for the cost of replacement and/or recharging.

False fire alarms and willful damaging of any life safety equipment is not only an inconvenience to fellow students but constitutes a real danger. Fire extinguishers, pull stations, alarm bells, smoke and heat detectors and alarm panels are in place for your safety. Use of these systems for other than fire emergencies; or abuse of these systems; or the intentional causing of a false fire alarm is a violation of the Community Standards Policy and may result in disciplinary action.

Open fire (which includes candles) is not permitted in any residence hall or campus building. The intentional setting of any fire, which is not authorized or designed for a recognized and accepted purpose and practiced with proper safety precautions in effect, may result in the filing of a safety violation.

The use of extension cords and multiple outlet plug adapters is strictly prohibited. Such use may result in a fine and removal of the cord and/or plug. Power strips with overload circuit protectors may be used.

All buildings on campus must be immediately evacuated whenever a fire or general alarm sounds in the building. Intentional evading or refusal to evacuate may result in notice of violation. In residence halls, the Office of Public Safety will go room to room to ensure that evacuation of the residence hall is completed.

Portable Fire Extinguishers: The provisions of this policy apply to the selection, distribution, inspection, maintenance and testing of portable extinguishing equipment. The requirements given herein are minimums. Portable extinguishers are intended as a first line of defense to cope with fires of limited size. They are needed even when a facility is equipped with automatic sprinklers, standpipe and hose, or other fixed protection equipment. Fire extinguisher training is provided by contacting the Office of Public Safety at ext 2000.

Definitions: The basic types of fires are Classes A, B, C, and D as defined in the following:

• Class A Ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth paper, rubber, and many plastics.
• Class B Flammable and combustible liquids.
• Class C Energized electrical equipment.
• Class D Combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium and potassium.

Classifications and ratings of fire extinguishers: Portable fire extinguishers are classified for use on Class A, B, C, or D fires and rated by nationally recognized testing laboratories for relative extinguishing effectiveness. The classification and rating are based upon the preceding classification of fires and the fire-extinguishments potentials as determined by fire tests.

Selection of extinguishers: The character of the fires anticipated determines the selection of extinguishers for a given situation.

Distribution of extinguishers: Fire extinguishers shall be provided for the protection of the building and for the occupancy hazard contained therein: Required building protection shall be provided by fire extinguishers suitable for Class A fires. Protection against occupancy hazard shall be provided by fire extinguishers suitable for such Class A, B, C, or D fire potentials as may be present.

Mounting locations: Extinguishers shall be conspicuously located where they will be readily accessible in the event of fire. They shall be located along normal paths of travel, including exits from an area. Fire protection and fire detection equipment shall not be obstructed.

Maintenance: Buildings and Grounds will recharge extinguishers needing to be recharged due to use or pressure leakage.

Inspections: Extinguishers are to be visually inspected monthly by Buildings and Grounds personnel.

Extinguishers loss due to damage or theft: It is the responsibility of the using Office to institute security measures to prevent losses due to theft. Buildings and Grounds will replace missing extinguishers.