RSU POLICE DEPARTMENT

Fire Safety Report

I. Evacuation procedures for fire and number of mandatory fire drills

The Student Apartment Handbook states that students should follow these procedures:

1. Exit your apartment using the closest stairwells, instead of elevator, to your room if you are on the second or third floor calmly and carefully
2. Upon exiting complex, go to your designated areas
• Building 1: in front of library
• Building 2: in front of library
• Building 3: field north of apartments
• Building 4: nature reserve parking lot
3. Wait until the fire department and/or Campus Police state that it is safe to return to the building.

It is essential for each student to know what to do if and when an evacuation of complex is necessary; a minimum of one fire evacuation drill is conducted each semester and is mandatory for students.    

II. The institution’s policies on portable electrical appliances, smoking, and open flames

In the Student Apartment Handbook, students are informed that guidelines have been established in the interest of individuals’ safety and the preservation of University housing property. Within this, students are informed that that the following items are not permitted within the facility:

• halogen lamps
• electric skillets
• flammable liquids
• space heaters
• sun lamps
• deep fryers
• broilers
• outdoor grills
• multiple-outlets without self-contained circuit breaker

Also, the following guidelines have been established regarding decorating personal space:

• no items that could create a fire hazard
• hanging of sheets, blankets or any object obstructing emergency evacuation
• hanging posters or other decorations that cover large portions of wall or other surfaces that could present a fire hazard
• candles, incense or any other flame/heat producing items
• anything hung from the sprinkler heads

Smoking is prohibited in University housing except in designated areas. Students who violate this policy will be charged for fumigation of rooms/apartments and be subject to additional sanctions.

Additionally, due to sanitary considerations, the use of smokeless tobacco is prohibited in University housing except in individual student’s rooms/apartments if all occupants within a room/apartment agree to allow the use of these products within that room/apartment.

Smoking is not allowed in the breezeways or stairwells of the Student Apartment Complex. The only approved smoking areas are underneath the pavilion in the inner courtyard and in the parking lot. If students are caught smoking in the apartment, he/she is assessed a $50 fine, one point on housing record, and cost of fumigation. If students are caught smoking in breezeways or unauthorized areas, he/she is assessed a $30 fine and one point on housing record.

III. Fire safety education and training

Resident Assistants are trained and given specific information on the following types:

• who to contact in emergency
• how to assess an emergency situation
• how to respond using general response steps
• how to respond to fire emergencies

In addition, Resident Assistants receive a Residential Life RA Handbook that contains information for future reference. This training is put into practice by Resident Assistants when drills are conducted along with follow-up discussion for purpose of improvement.

IV. Any plans for improving fire safety

Plans for future improvement include posting evacuation procedures on the inside of each unit’s front door and training Resident Assistants on how to properly use fire extinguishers.