- Since 2000, 155 students have died in campus housing fires.
- Off-campus fires are deadlier, with a 65% rate of survival.
- Overloaded outlets & careless smoking disposal are significant risks.
- Blocked exits & faulty alarms are common off-campus hazards.
- Students, owners & universities must ensure safety.
With the recent horrifying destruction caused by the Palisades fire in Los Angeles County, which lasted for 24 days and destroyed 6,837 structures, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals, it is crucial to implement effective measures to ensure protection from fires, whether they are wildfires, housing fires, or kitchen fires. According to the NFPA, between 2018 and 2022, there were 3,331 structural fires in residence halls, fraternities, and sororities, leading to 3 fatalities and 21 injuries among students living there, along with $21 million in direct property damage.
Housing fires, especially those off-campus, are tragic. The saddest part is that students often lack the proper knowledge of how to respond when a fire breaks out. Since 2000, 155 students have died in on-campus housing. According to recent data, 85% of campus-related fires occur off-campus, where only two-thirds of students live. The reasons provided by the fire department regarding these deaths are quite frustrating. They often involve the careless disposal of cigarettes on sofas or under cushions, improper disposal of linseed oil rags in an apartment basement, overloaded outlets, unattended cooking, disabled smoke alarms, and the absence of automatic fire sprinkler systems. Colleges and universities should implement stricter regulations, provide fire safety programs for students, teach them how to properly notify the emergency services, equip them with essential fire safety resources from the fire administration, conduct fire drills, and maintain fire safety equipment, among other measures.
This blog will outline the common fire hazards associated with both on-campus and off-campus living, as well as the safety tips for both students and institutions that can help prevent these fires.
Table of Contents
On-Campus Housing Fire Hazards
Attending college as a graduate student is exciting and fun. Students have their freedom, but with that freedom, they need to be responsible for their own safety. When fires occur on campus, students can lose their computers, clothes, school assignments, and even their lives. Here are some common fire hazards in on-campus housing that students should be aware of:
Using extension cords for large appliances like refrigerators and monitors can be unsafe.
A dirty cooking area with grease buildup on the stove, oven hoods, and other cooking appliances can act as fuel for igniting a fire.
Leaving the kitchen, consuming alcohol, or falling asleep while cooking poses risks.
Knocking over candles or space heaters can occur due to impaired judgment from alcohol.
Failing to clean trash that contains flammable materials, such as food packaging or piles of paper, increases fire hazards.
According to reports, 25% of campus fires occur after parties. Often, these incidents are caused by impaired judgment from alcohol or students smoking in bed and disposing of cigarette butts carelessly on the sofa or under cushions.
Candles not placed on sturdy holders can tip over and ignite flammable materials like curtains.
Off-Campus Housing Fire Hazards
Off-campus housing fires are among the most tragic incidents. Students often reside in older, poorly maintained buildings, many of which were originally single-family homes. Here are some of the common fire hazards that lead to off-campus fires:
Gas leaks occur due to poorly maintained pipes.
Blocked exits from trash, cardboard boxes, old furniture, etc.
An increased number of occupants on a single floor increases the risk of a fire breakout.
HVAC systems or furnace units may not function properly.
Low-quality furniture that can easily catch fire.
Sometimes, students like to decorate their homes with lights and other items like curtains, etc. A simple disconnection of lights can lead to electrical fires.
Students may place portable space heaters near flammable objects.
Fire safety equipment that is not maintained or inspected by the property manager, and a lack of a proper evacuation plan.
Fire Safety Tips To Prevent On-Campus Fires
We have divided the fire safety tips for students and for universities and colleges:
For Students
Always place candles in sturdy holders and keep them away from flammable materials such as paper or curtains. For added safety, consider using flameless candles.
Always cook in designated areas. Avoid leaving the kitchen unattended or falling asleep while preparing food.
If a fire ignites while heating food in the microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the appliance.
Use large ashtrays when smoking and refrain from discarding cigarette butts carelessly onto the bed or couch.
Do not overload outlets or use extension cords with high-power appliances.
Keep lamps, light bulbs, and fixtures away from flammable materials.
Always unplug your phone and laptop after they are fully charged to prevent overheating. Only use surge protectors with internal load protection.
For Universities and Colleges
Inspect the rooms and residence halls regularly for fire hazards. Seek assistance from the local fire department; they will be familiar with the building’s layout, which will improve their response time during an emergency.
Conduct fire drills and practice escape routes and evacuation plans with students.
Maintain the fire alarm system, and if fire detection devices include battery-operated smoke detectors, replace the batteries every six months.
Establish stricter regulations prohibiting smoking and highly flammable materials, such as halogen bulbs, in the residence halls.
Always install fire suppression hood systems in the kitchen.
Fire Safety Tips To Prevent Off-Campus Fires
When looking for off-campus housing, students often consider factors like how close the housing will be to their campus or whether it has laundry facilities. However, they should also keep fire safety in mind and find alternative housing if their current accommodation is not adhering to fire safety protocols.
Here are some fire safety tips for property owners to prevent off-campus fires and factors students should consider while searching for off-campus housing:
The manual pull station should be placed on each floor near the exit doors so that individuals can trigger the alarm while evacuating.
Smoke detectors should provide comprehensive coverage, and their placement and installation must comply with NFPA 72.
There should be both audible and visual warning devices to assist impaired students in evacuating.
Smoke alarms must be installed in every bedroom and dwelling unit.
The automatic fire sprinkler system should be properly installed and maintained, along with portable fire extinguishers that have a recent inspection tag.
The escape window in every bedroom should be accessible, allowing individuals to exit during an emergency.
Every bedroom and hallway should have two emergency escape routes: one primary exit door and an alternate route in case the primary door is blocked.
The facility must include emergency lighting and a proper evacuation procedure.
The exit doors must have single-cylinder deadbolt locks, not double-cylinder deadbolt locks.
The trash dumpster should be located at least 10 feet away from the building.
Conclusion
Both on-campus and off-campus fires can occur due to overloaded outlets, careless disposal of smoking materials, unattended cooking, blocked exits, and more. Students, universities, and property owners are responsible for creating a safe environment for one another. It is essential to install and maintain fire safety systems such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and fire sprinklers, conduct regular fire drills, and adhere to fire safety guidelines to prevent incidents.
Maintaining fire safety in residential settings can be complex. With advanced fire inspection software like ZenFire, inspections can be streamlined, large-scale fire safety systems can be managed, and compliance can be ensured easily. With automated service reminders and detailed NFPA-compliant reports, ZenFire helps facility owners protect lives and properties effortlessly.
Schedule a free demo today and elevate your fire safety management for your housing facility to the next level.
Get Insights Delivered Straight
To Your Inbox!
Related Reading
Why Your Field Software Management Software Needs QuickBooks Integration
ZenTrades Why Your Field Service Management Software Needs QuickBooks Integration Read More Request Demo...
Read More
ZenTrades How To Manage Electrical Service Agreements Like...
Read More
ZenTrades The Best 5 Jobber Alternatives In 2023...
Read More
