Public Safety » Fire Safety

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requires that all Title IV eligible  institutions that participate in any Title IV program and that maintain on-campus student housing facilities publish an annual fire safety report.

The Department of Public Safety and Security and the Resident Life staff perform routine safety inspections in addition to educating students on emergency procedures including evacuation plans.

All resident halls at Gwynedd-Mercy College are equipped with the following safety apparatus:

• Sprinklers
• Fire Extinguishers
• Smoke/Heat Detectors
• Pull Stations

Fire Safety

Whenever a fire alarm sounds, the residence hall Complex is to be evacuated immediately. All residents should know the exit routes from their rooms; please see staff with questions!

Please be familiar with the following fire evacuation procedures:

GWYNEDD-MERCY COLLEGE FIRE SAFETY – RESIDENCE HALL EVACUATION PROCEDURES

1. BEFORE A FIRE: Know at least two ways out of the building from your room.

2. IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE OR SMELL SMOKE: Sound the building fire alarm. Know the location of the alarm pull stations and how they operate.

3. WHEN THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDS - LEAVE AT ONCE: Close all doors behind you. Proceed to the primary fire exit nearest to your location. Upon leaving the building, do not re-enter until you are told you can do so by security personnel.

4. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR: Elevator shaft ways are like chimneys; smoke and heat enter the elevator shaft thereby asphyxiating the occupants of the elevator.

5. FEEL THE DOOR THAT LEADS FROM YOUR ROOM: If it is hot or smoke is seeping in, do not open it. If you become trapped and cannot reach the fire exit keep the door closed and seal off any cracks. If you have a telephone in your room use it to call Campus Security, ext. 111 or 522, and give the name and location of the building, the floor you are on and the room number. If you do not have a phone, go to the window and signal for help; DO NOT JUMP. The Fire Department will be in the building within minutes to assist you.

6. IF THE DOOR FEELS COOL: Open it cautiously. Be prepared to slam it shut if the hall is full of smoke or if you feel heat or pressure against the door. If the hall is clear,

proceed to the nearest fire exit and move away from the building.

7. IF CAUGHT IN SMOKE OR HEAT: Stay low where the air is better, take short breaths, (through your nose) until you reach the fire exit.

8. KNOW THE NUMBER OF DOORS FROM YOUR ROOM TO THE FIRE EXIT: If caught in heavy smoke, you can feel your way along the hall counting the number of doors to the exit as you go. This will prevent you from passing the fire exit.

9. When the fire department personnel have arrived, RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLY WITH ANY DIRECTIONS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT gives and maintain a clear area to allow them to complete their work.

10. Public Safety and Security and Resident Life staff will give residents permission to return to the building when it is safe to do so; RETURNING PRIOR TO THIS TIME IS

PROHIBITED.

IMPORTANT: Be sure fire exit doors and hallway doors are kept closed at all times. These doors prevent the spread of noxious smoke and heat should a fire occur. If you observe these doors propped or tied open, please close them and report the occurrence to Security or Resident Life.

Regulations established by the College and Pennsylvania State law

Fire Safety Regulations

The following are considered serious violations of College policy and are subject to disciplinary action:

1. Failing to evacuate the residence hall during the sound of an alarm or re-entering without permission

2. Tampering with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinklers or other safety equipment

3. Pulling a fire alarm or activating a smoke detector with no evidence of fire

4. Starting a fire or causing an explosion in or around the residence hall complex

5. Interfering with civil or College authorities as they respond to a fire or other type of emergency

6. Smoking in the residence hall complex and any area other than those designated

7. Possession or use of the following items in areas other than kitchens is prohibited, and will result in confiscation and disciplinary action:

• High wattage appliances, particularly those with open or closed heating elements (i.e.: toasters, grills, microwaves, coffee makers, etc.)

• Halogen lamps

• Fireworks or chemicals that are explosive or flammable in nature

• Candles or incense

• Extension cords or power strips not regulated by a circuit breaking device

8. Leaving cooking items unattended in kitchens while in use

2008 FIRE STATISTICS