Fire Safety

University Policy Community living requires that you consider the importance of fire safety and prevention.   A sophisticated fire detection system, located in each of the residence halls, monitors and provides 24-hour fire protection for the building. Fire extinguishers are also located in each hallway for your protection. Radford University and the Commonwealth of Virginia are concerned with fire safety and  have taken these steps to provide you and your fellow residents with appropriate fire protection. Your cooperation is needed to keep the fire equipment in working order.  As a resident, it is your responsibility to report any fire violations to a staff member.  Refer to the Standards of Student Conduct for more details on fire safety.
The fire equipment located in the residence halls (alarms, extinguishers, sprinkler heads, and hall and room smoke detectors) is provided for use in an emergency. Tampering with this equipment is a serious matter which can result in its ineffectiveness during an emergency. Such tampering will lead to University disciplinary action resulting in suspension/dismissal as well as criminal prosecution! Fires can threaten human life and cause significant damage to property. You must realize the important role that you as a resident play in fire safety.
Setting Up Your Room Appliances: Only approved appliances may be used in the residence halls. Be sure to turn off and unplug all appliances immediately after use. Remain in your room when an electrical appliance is in use. Candles/Open Flames: Candles, with or without wicks, and other open flame objects are not permitted. Multiple Plug Adapters/Extension Cords: Extension cords are prohibited. ONLY Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved power strip (or box) with a built-in circuit breaker and/or reset button is permitted. These strips must not have a cord longer than fifteen feet and should not exceed 15 amps. Decorations: To comply with international fire code no more than 10% of room walls and doors can be covered with flammable items. Also, nothing can be attached to or hanging from the ceiling. Purchasing shelves to display items is a good way to personalize your room. Consult your RD for further details on decorations. Furniture Placement: The narrow corridor that leads to the doorway should not be obstructed in any way to   impede the exit from your room. Room Smoke Detectors Each residence hall room contains a smoke detector. In Bolling, Draper, Ingles, Muse, Norwood, Peery, Trinkle, Floyd, Pocahontas, Stuart, and Tyler Halls, the smoke detectors are connected to the central system. Residents are not required to test the smoke detectors in these buildings -- the system monitors to assure they are working.
Residents of all other buildings on campus have battery-operated smoke detectors in   their rooms. VIRGINIA STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT EACH BATTERY-OPERATED SMOKE DETECTOR BE TESTED WEEKLY TO ENSURE IT IS OPERATING PROPERLY. To check the detector, simply press the button on the detector, hold, and wait for alarm to sound. If after 5-10 seconds the alarm does not sound, notify your RA or RD immediately.  Ensuring your smoke detector is operating is YOUR responsibility. Failure to report non-functioning detectors may result in judicial action.
Tampering with, dismounting, or removing batteries from a smoke detector is a violation of residence hall policy and will result in conduct action! Evacuation Any time a fire alarm sounds, you should always assume that a fire exists! University policy mandates that you  must evacuate the building and remain evacuated until notified by university officials that it is safe to reenter. As you leave your room: · Close all windows and doors. · Lock door--wear a coat/shoes. · Take a towel to place over your face in case of smoke. · Alert your roommate and suitemates if they have not exited the building. · Exit the building as calmly and quickly as possible using the nearest safe exit. · Do not use the elevator! · Proceed to designated area and remain until "All Clear" signal is given. If an exit is blocked, proceed to the nearest safe exit. If ALL exits are blocked go back to your room, close the    door, and call 5500 (Campus Police) to report your location. If Room Exit is Blocked: · Stay calm. · Seal cracks around door. · Open window slightly, if there is no smoke outside. · Tie a wet cloth over nose and mouth · Stay low where air is fresher. · Signal rescuers by waving a sheet or clothing out of window. · Do not jump if you are higher than 2 stories. · If your clothing should catch on fire, do not run! Stop, Drop & Roll to smother flames.

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