Fire Safety and Evacuation Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to reduce potential fire hazards to preserve life safety and reduce the risk of loss from fire through prevention, education, engineering, and administration and to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices.

Scope

This policy applies to any University of Dayton ("University") facility, including any residential structure.  The University requires that all members of its community strictly adhere to the fire safety procedures created to support the safety of its students, staff, faculty, and visitors.

Policy History

Effective Date:  January 25, 2016

Approval:  February 13, 2024

Policy History: 

• Approved in original Form: January 25, 2016
• Approved as amended:  February 13, 2024

Maintenance of Policy:  Assistant Vice President for Compliance and Environmental Health & Safety, Division of Audit, Risk and Compliance, Department of Environmental Health & Safety

Policy

I.  PORTABLE ELECTRICAL DEVICES AND APPLIANCES, SMOKING, AND OPEN FLAME DEVICES IN UNIVERSITY FACILITIES

• Electrical Devices and Appliances:  Any item that the University deems at its own discretion to be either unsafe or potentially damaging to University property is prohibited and/or may not be stored or used in University facilities.  The University reserves the right to remove any unauthorized or otherwise deemed dangerous device and/or appliance.  For examples of prohibited and/or approved electrical devices and appliance see Appendix A.
• Smoking:  The University allows smoking on campus only in designated areas.  See Smoking on the University of Dayton Campus Policy and the Housing Contract. 
• Open Flame:  The burning of candles, incense, or any other material used to produce smoke, fire, or open flames is prohibited in all campus facilities, including student residential facilities.  See Open Flame Policy and Hot Work Program for exceptions and/or variance instructions. 

II.  PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The following behaviors are inconsistent with fire safety and are prohibited at the University of Dayton.

• Failure to Evacuate:  Failure to leave a building during a fire alarm or a scheduled fire drill, or failure to immediately vacate the general vicinity of the fire alarm or fire drill location which includes all sidewalks, streets, alleys, yards, and porches.  This pertains to any structure fire, house fire, street fire, yard fire, trash container fire, or dumpster fire.
• False Alarms:  Activating false fire alarms or the improper use of the fire safety equipment, e.g., fire sprinkler heads, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, exit signs, etc.
• Igniting:  Anyone identified or apprehended on campus or in the student residential neighborhood for igniting or attempting to ignite a fire.  This includes but is not limited to an interior fire, yard fire, street fire, trash container fire or dumpster fire; contributing in any way to an existing fire; abetting a fire including providing material or accelerants to feed a fire; or by impeding attempts by University or emergency response personnel to extinguish a fire.
• Risk/Disregard:  Any action that places a facility or community at risk for fire is strictly prohibited.  This includes intentionally or unintentionally causing a fire, failure to immediately report a fire and /or tampering with fire safety equipment/systems.
• Tampering:  Deactivating, damaging, obstructing and/or destroying fire safety equipment and/or systems.  See Red Tag Program for approved system impairments.
• Open flame:  Unauthorized use of any open flame devices. 

III.  REPORTING FIRE

The University is required to report all fires in student residential facilities, even if there is no damage.  The Department of Public Safety maintains the statistics and submits an annual report per the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.  This report is often referred to as the "CLERY Report" which requires annual preparation and submission of the Campus Security and Fire Safety Report to the University community and to the U. S. Department of  Education.

Please report the following information:

• Anyone seeing evidence or hearing about a fire that has occurred in a student residential facility should contact the Public Safety dispatcher at 937-229-2121.  Public Safety will record the information and ensure the location is checked by a fire official to ensure resident safety.
• Anyone seeing a fire should immediately call Public Safety 937-229-2121 from a cellular telephone or 911 from a campus telephone and provide all information about the location and type of fire.

IV.  FIRE DRILLS, ALARMS, AND EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS

Fire drills are scheduled periodically in University Facilities in compliance with state regulations.  Every time the fire alarm sounds it must be treated as a real fire and you must evacuate immediately.  All persons must vacate the facility any time the fire alarm is sounded or if an emergency situation arises that requires the evacuation of the building.  All individuals in the building must follow the directions of the staff and other emergency personnel and may not re-enter the building until the police or fire officials give permission.

V.  FIRE PREVENTION PROGRAM

Every member of the University community is responsible for assisting in the prevention and proper handling of fire hazards and for being familiar with the University’s Fire Prevention Program.  The Fire Prevention Program outlines the University’s plan to promote fire safety and reduce the risk of fire-related incidents and injuries.  A copy of the program is available by contacting Environmental Health &  Safety.

VI.  ENFORCEMENT AND RESPONSE TO NON-COMPLIANCE

The primary responsibility for fire safety at the University applies to each University employee and student.  Members of the campus community shall cooperate fully with all aspects of this policy.  Failure to comply with policy can lead to University disciplinary action under the general rules of conduct of all University employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements and the University Student Conduct Code.

Reference Documents

1. Campus Security and Fire Report
2. Fire Prevention Program
3. Hot Work Program
4. Red Tag Program
5. Open Flame Policy
6. Housing Contract
7. Student Code of Conduct
8. Smoking on the University of Dayton Campus Policy

Applicable Regulations

1. Policy and procedures follow National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
2. Ohio Fire Code