Purpose
This policy is to promote campus fire safety education in residence housing, which is operated by Capstone On-Campus Housing Management. The housing has a total of 85 student units, all designed for multiple occupancy, and 2 staff units. Campus Safety will provide educational materials about fire safety for all residents at the time of occupancy. Campus Safety will work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Campus Corner Apartment management to provide additional safety educational programming as appropriate for specific units, buildings, or for the entire complex.

Safety education programming and materials are in place to promote fire safety and security at Campus Corner Apartments. Campus Safety will work with CCA to maximize safety for all residents. The overall goal is to help provide safe and secure housing for on-campus residential students.

Scope

Definitions 
CCA: Campus Corner Apartments

Policy and/or Procedure 
Campus Safety will prepare fire safety educational materials to be provided to CCA residents at the time of their move-in. These materials will be created and provided to CCA management at least one week prior to the quarterly Move-in Day. CCA management will hand these materials out to residents on their Move-in Day.

CCA will, within the Student Housing Contract, note the following:

  • the procedures for Campus Safety to enter a student's room without notice and in the student's absence for reasons of health, safety, or general welfare; to make repairs to the room and/or furnishing; upon reasonable suspicion of the presence of any illegal substance or activity; or for other suspected violations of federal, state or local law or the
    CCA Policies and Regulations which are listed in the Student Housing Contract
  • that the student will agree to immediately notify the manager in the event that the smoke detector or sprinkler head equipment becomes damaged, lost, stolen, or otherwise made inoperable
  • that the student will agree to immediately notify the manager if the smoke detector or sprinkler heads appear to be inoperable
  • that the student will understand that the willful damage, theft, or destruction of any smoke detector, sprinkler head, or fire extinguisher endangers their safety and the safety of others and may be considered a condition of default under their housing contract 
  • that the possession of explosives is not permitted; fireworks, firecrackers, and dangerous chemicals are not permitted, including potentially injurious war souvenirs, hunting arrows, and collector style weapons are not permitted
  • that the possession of firearms or potentially dangerous weapons is not permitted, including potentially injurious war souvenirs, hunting arrows, and collector style weapons.
  • that the use of an open flame (e.g. candle, incense, cigarette, cigar, etc.) inside any part of Campus Corner Apartment facilities is prohibited
  • that smoking is prohibited in all Campus Corner Apartments interior spaces including bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms
  • that the use and/or possession of appliances which have open or exposed heating elements (e.g. hot plates, sunlamps, and halogen lamps) or any other high intensity appliances are not permitted; refrigerators in excess of six (6) cubic feet and portable space heaters are not permitted

Resident Assistants and CCA employees receive orientation to the operations and locations of the fire alarm system, pull-stations, smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers during their first week of employment. Students receive a general orientation to fire systems in the building during the first week of arrival.

The College takes fire safety seriously and has established fire safety programs for students living in on- campus residential housing. The College has specific fire safety programs that target employees working on campus such as CPR training, fire extinguisher training, and first aid. Fire safety training programs can also be requested by contacting Campus Safety at 253-288-3350.

CCA residents are strongly encouraged when receiving their orientation and packet materials on Move-in Day to become familiar with the regular and emergency exits of their buildings. They are encouraged to actively learn the following (through Campus Safety programming, conversations with their RAs and/or CCA management):

  • Know where the fire alarm pull stations are located and how to activate then
  • Know the locations of the fire extinguishers and how to operate them
  • Arrange their room contents with fire safety in mind
  • Maintain clear and unobstructed access to all room doors, from both the outside and inside at all times
  • Not to use broken, frayed, or cracked electrical cords
  • Not to overload electrical outlets
  • Not to allow excess clutter or flammable materials to accumulate

If a fire occurs, students are instructed to leave hazardous areas per the evacuation routes and to get to a predetermined location before calling 911 for help.

Whereas CCA is responsible for hiring their student resident assistant (RA) personnel, Campus Safety will collaborate with CCA to facilitate their education and training in fire safety. This educational programming will start during the RA initial training at the beginning of the academic year. Then, as needed, Campus Safety will conduct additional Fire Safety programming throughout the year for employees, RAs and residents. Campus Safety will also work with residential student groups to organize programs focused on fire safety and personal safety issues.

CCA holds a minimum of two fire evacuation drills during the year (one announced and one unannounced). Campus Safety will assist CCA personnel with these drills, and provide feedback for improvement within 7 business days of each drill. This feedback will provide content for future safety educational programming.

Specific Authority
34 CFR 668.49 - Institutional fire safety policies and fire statistics (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-NEW3)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1092)

Law Implemented
October 29, 2009

History of Policy or Procedure
Draft: June 6, 2016
Adopted: August 18, 2016
Reviewed by:
Contact: George Frasier, Vice President for College Advancement Executive Director, ext. 3338
Sponsor: Dr. Deborah Casey, Vice President of Student Affairs, ext. 3328