Appendix III: Fire Safety in On-Campus Student Housing
HR 4173: Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act
The Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act is a federal law that requires universities to report fire safety information for all on-campus student housing facilities. A report must be published annually that contains information with respect to the campus fire safety practices and standards of the institution. This information is meant to help students and parents make informed, fire-safe decisions when selecting a school and housing. In addition, this information gives the University a platform to showcase its commitment to protecting students.
Smoke detectors and heat detectors are hardwired into the building alarm system. Once activated, the Chicago Fire Department and the University of Chicago Police Department are immediately notified.
TABLE 1 On-Campus Student Housing Facility Fire Safety Systems
| Location | Alarm System | Beds Protected by Fire Detection Systems | Pull Stations Present | Beds Protected by Sprinkler System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone Hall | Class I | 100% | Yes | 100% |
| Breckinridge Hall | Class I | 100% | Yes | 0% |
| Broadview Hall | Class I | 100% | Yes | 100% |
| Burton-Judson Courts | Class I | 100% | Yes | 100% |
| International House | Class I | 100% | Yes | 100% |
| Maclean House | Class I | 100% | Yes | 0% |
| Max Palevsky Residential Commons | Class I | 100% | Yes | 100% |
| New Graduate Residence Hall | Class I | 100% | Yes | 0% |
| Pierce Tower | Class I | 100% | Yes | 100% |
| Snell-Hitchcock Halls | Class I | 100% | Yes | 100% |
| South Campus Residence Hall | Class I | 100% | Yes | 100% |
TABLE 2 Fires in On-Campus Student Housing and Their Causes:2009
| Residential Facility | Address | Total Fires in Each Building | Fire Number | Date | Cause | Injuries | Deaths | Property Damage Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone House | 5748 S. Blackstone Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| Breckinridge House | 1442 E. 59th St. | 1 | 1 | 6/19/009 | Unintentional / electrical outlet fire | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Burton-Judson Courts | 1005 E. 60th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| International House | 1414 E. 59th St. | 1 | 1 | 7/5/09 | Unintentional / electrical outlet fire | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Max Palevsky | 1101 E. 56th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| Pierce Tower | 5514 S. University Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| Snell-Hitchcock Halls | 1009 E. 57th St. | 1 | 1 | 4/18/09 | Unintentional / cigarette in waste can | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Campus Residence Hall | 6031 S. Ellis Ave. | 1 | 1 | 5/2/09 | Unintentional / overheated generator | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1307 E. 60th Apts | 1307 E. 60th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5601 S. Drexel Apts | 5601 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5604 S. Maryland Apts | 5604 S. Maryland Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5605 S. Drexel Apts | 5605 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5636 S. Drexel Apts | 5636 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5645 S. Maryland Apts | 5645 S. Maryland Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5654 S. Drexel Apts | 5654 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 6011 S. Ingleside Apts | 6011 S. Ingleside Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 602 S. Drexel Apts | 602 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 6044 S. Ingleside Apts | 6044 S. Ingleside Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 6051 S. Drexel Apts | 6051 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 816 E. 57th St. Apts | 816 E. 57th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 832 E. 57th St. Apts | 832 E. 57th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 838 E. 57th St. Apts | 838 E. 57th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 6054 S. Ingleside Apts | 6054 S. Ingleside Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA |
TABLE 3 Fires in On-Campus Student Housing and Their Causes: 2010
| Residential Facility | Address | Total Fires in Each Building | Fire Number | Date | Cause | Injuries | Deaths | Property Damage Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone House | 5748 S. Blackstone Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Breckinridge House | 1442 E. 59th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Burton-Judson Courts | 1005 E. 60th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| International House | 1414 E. 59th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Max Palevsky | 1101 E. 56th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Pierce Tower | 5514 S. University Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Snell-Hitchcock Halls | 1009 E. 57th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| South Campus Residence Hall | 6031 S. Ellis Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 1307 E. 60th Apts | 1307 E. 60th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 5601 S. Drexel Apts | 5601 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 5604 S. Maryland Apts | 5604 S. Maryland Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 5605 S. Drexel Apts | 5605 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 5636 S. Drexel Apts | 5636 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 5645 S. Maryland Apts | 5645 S. Maryland Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 5654 S. Drexel Apts | 5654 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 6011 S. Ingleside Apts | 6011 S. Ingleside Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 602 S. Drexel Apts | 602 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 6044 S. Ingleside Apts | 6044 S. Ingleside Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 6051 S. Drexel Apts | 6051 S. Drexel Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 816 E. 57th St. Apts | 816 E. 57th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 832 E. 57th St. Apts | 832 E. 57th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 838 E. 57th St. Apts | 838 E. 57th St. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 6054 S. Ingleside Apts | 6054 S. Ingleside Ave. | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Fire Drills
To ensure that each resident is familiar with building-specific fire plans and evacuation procedures, a mandatory supervised fire drill is conducted twice annually. All occupants must evacuate the building using proper emergency exits when a fire alarm is sounded. Failure to do so is a violation of University policy and could result in disciplinary action.
Other life safety systems are also tested on a regular basis. Monthly tests are performed on the phone lines, emergency lights, fire extinguishers, exit signs, pull boxes (visual), hoses, and fire escapes. Audible horns and room smoke detectors are tested at quarter interims. Sprinklers and heat detectors are tested every summer.
Emergency Evacuation for Students with Disabilities
The University recognizes that individuals with disabilities may require assistance with alerting, evacuating, and sheltering in the event of an emergency. The University therefore asks all individuals who may need assistance in an emergency to confidentially self-identify to the University. Once an individual has self-identified, the University will work with them to develop a personal emergency plan that includes specific evacuation procedures, sheltering procedures, and means of communication. The University is also committed to training its employees to identify and assist persons who may need assistance in an emergency. For more information, visit safety.uchicago.edu/pp/emergency/ evac_procedures.shtml.
Policies on Portable Electric Appliances, Smoking, and Open Flames
In accordance with regulations promulgated by the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, the University of Chicago is a smokefree environment. Smoking is prohibited in all buildings owned and operated by the University of Chicago, including dormitories. Smoking is permitted outside a building, but not within 15 feet of the entrance. Rules also prohibit the following in the residence halls:
- halogen floor lamps,
- microwaves,
- electric coffeemakers,
- toasters and toaster ovens,
- refrigerators over four cubic feet,
- portable heating units, and
- tampering with fire safety equipment, including smoke/heat detectors and sprinklers.
Note: Coffeemakers, toasters, and toaster ovens are allowed in apartments with kitchens. In general, if a room does not have a full apartment kitchen, heat-producing appliances are prohibited.
Procedures for Evacuation
Report all fires to the University of Chicago Police Department by calling 123 or 773.702.8181.
If a fire alarm sounds in an on-campus student building, residents are required to find the nearest emergency exit path, follow it, and proceed to the sidewalk across the street from the main entrance. Residents should locate and familiarize themselves with all fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits in advance. If a fire is discovered, pull the nearest fire alarm pull station. Always assume that the alarm is an emergency and not a false alarm.
If residents are in a room when the alarm sounds, they should feel the door to the corridor before opening it. If the door is hot, it should be kept closed. Clothing should be stuffed into the cracks around the door. Do not take unnecessary chances to get out of the room. Unless there is immediate danger, residents may be safer where they are. If a window will open, students should hang a sheet out of it to alert the Fire Department of their location. If the room door is cool, open it slightly. If the hall appears safe, leave by one of the stairwells or fire escapes. Close the windows and door to the room when you leave. Do not lock the door. Leave the room lights on. Knock loudly on the neighboring room doors to alert your neighbors. Do not use the elevators unless you are instructed to do so by the Chicago Fire Department.
Policies regarding Safety Education and Training
At the beginning of the academic year, a memo identifying the procedures to follow in case of fire, specific to each dormitory, is placed in the mailbox of each new undergraduate student, in addition to a brochure that explains sprinklers. These documents are discussed at the first House meeting.
On an annual basis, Environmental Health and Safety attends an in-service residential housing staff meeting to explain the services they provide in addition to fire safety and evacuation training. This information is then used by the Resident Assistants to provide orientation to undergraduates.
All University faculty and staff are required to attend fire safety and evacuation training upon initial employment and then annually thereafter. Components of this training include fire types and their causes, fire response plan, alarm systems, fire extinguishers and instruction on their use, building evacuation, and procedures for persons with disabilities.
Plans for Future Improvements in the Fire Safety of On-Campus Student Housing
State law requires dormitories at all public and private colleges and universities in Illinois to have fire sprinkler systems installed by 2013. The University of Chicago is committed to complying with this requirement. There are plans to upgrade the two remaining dormitory sprinkler systems as follows:
- Breckinridge Hall: summer 2012
- Maclean House: fall 2011