Fire Safety

The Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act is an amendment to the Higher Education Opportunity Act signed into law by President George W. Bush on August 14, 2008. This amendment serves to increase campus fire safety awareness across the nation, providing prospective and current students with policies, and fire safety conditions that are present at the institution in which they have applied or are enrolled. Although this amendment specifically applies to institutions of higher education, NCSSM is committed to achieving a higher standard of safety across its campus.

The Office of Campus Safety provides 24-hour campus security coverage and offers comprehensive safety programs designed to promote a safe environment. Students and staff are encouraged to promote safety by reporting any unsafe or suspicious conditions immediately to the Office of Campus Safety (919-416-2711).

Click the button below to view documentation related to room/hall safety guidelines. Information about prohibited items can also be found in the student handbook. Specific questions regarding prohibited items can be directed to Michael Newbauer, Director of Residential Education.

Click the button below to view documentation related to Emergency Fire Procedures. Remember that all fire alarms should be treated as though it is an actual fire. All faculty, staff, students and visitors are required to evacuate the area/building that is in alarm. Any questions pertaining to Emergency Fire Procedures can be directed to Richard Hess, the Director of Campus Safety and Security.

Purpose

Fire Drills are conducted at NCSSM facilities to train employees and students in the procedures to be followed and familiarize them with the audible and visual evacuation signal and the exit routes available to use in the event of a fire or other situations that requires immediate evacuation. Primary and alternate routes should be established, and all employees and students should be familiar with both routes.

Fire Drills are conducted periodically throughout campus and are used to evaluate the effectiveness of emergency equipment and procedures. Predetermined fire drills are not announced to staff or students outside the Student Life and Campus Safety departments.

A document of the yearly fire incident reports will be available in buttons below once the academic year is completed.

2021-2022 Fire Incident Reports:

2019 Fire Prevention Week is Sunday, October 6 through Saturday, October 12. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in the event of a fire. Click the link below to learn more about the NFPA and National Fire Prevention Week.

Campus Safety is responsible for approximately 190 fire extinguishers located across the campus. Fire extinguishers are visually inspected monthly to ensure that the extinguishers are in the assigned place and will operate if needed.

Annual Maintenance:

Annual maintenance to include a thorough examination of the mechanical parts, extinguishing agent and expelling means of each portable fire extinguisher is conducted.

Hydrotesting:

Every 6 years, fire extinguishers are required to be pressure tested and recharged to help prevent unwanted failure or rupture of the cylinder. Annual and 6-year testing of fire extinguishers are performed by a licensed servicing company.

Discharged/Defective/Damaged Extinguishers:

If you observe any extinguisher that has been damaged, discharged (whether accidental or intentional) or is missing from its designated location please report it immediately to the Office of Campus Safety (919-416-2711).

Fire Alarm Systems:

All residence halls are equipped with an automatic fire alarm system. These systems continuously monitor all building smoke detectors and heat detectors for hazardous conditions. Campus fire alarm systems immediately notify Campus Safety in the event of an emergency. Campus Safety can assess the situation and can request fire department dispatch. Each time a fire alarm activates, all staff, students and visitors are required to evacuate.

After any alarm activation, Campus Safety Officers complete a report and send it to the Director of Campus Safety for record and/or investigation. Records of previous fire alarm activation can be found on the Fire Incident Reports tab.

Fire Sprinkler Systems:

All residence halls are protected by automatic fire sprinkler systems. These systems automatically release water to suppress fires when fire sprinkler heads detect temperatures above a threshold. Once activated, the fire sprinkler system also activates the building fire alarm system.

It is important not to hang any items from sprinkler pipes, sprinkler heads or any portion of the sprinkler system. Doing so may result in damage to the system or an unintentional release of water. In addition, hanging items such as flags or drapes in prohibited areas can prevent sprinkler systems from functioning effectively resulting in an increase of damage and potential for loss of life.

Range Hood Fire Protection Systems:

All range hoods (“stove hoods”) located in PFM are protected by a chemical fire protection system that is designed to extinguish grease and other cooking fires. Once activated, the range hood fire protection system also activates the building fire alarm system.

Tampering with Fire Safety Equipment:

False alarms, damage, theft, misuse or impairing the function of any fire detection, alarm or extinguishing device are punishable under the criminal law provision of the North Carolina Statute 14-286 and constitutes a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and could result in a Level II or III violation for endangering others. In addition, residents will be charged for fire damage resulting from neglect or intentional actions.