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Public Safety is responsible for the implementation of policies concerning fire extinguisher and fire alarm stations in residence halls. A check of the fire extinguisher, fire alarm boxes, EXIT lights and smoke alarms will be conducted every six months by Public Safety. In addition, any person who observes misused, or defective or inoperative equipment shall report the violation immediately to Public Safety. If a fire extinguisher is leaking, it is the responsibility of the residents of a section to notify Public Safety immediately. Failure to do so may result in an assessment for the cost of that extinguisher. If an individual or group sets off or tampers with a fire alarm, fire extinguisher or any other fire equipment, that person or group shall be subject to a fine between $100 and $500. The fined party may appeal within ten days through the Office of Residence Life. This charge, assessed by Public Safety, may be borne by an individual or group divided equally among the members of the section if the guilty party cannot be found. The charged parties may appeal through the Office of Residence Life to determine guilt and how to apportion the cost of a missing fire extinguisher.
Open Flame
Open flames such as candles or incense are not permitted. If you need to use extension cords, please make sure you use heavy-duty cords with a minimum of 14-gauge wire. If you use surge protectors, please make sure that they are heavy duty with a self-tripping breaker. As a safety measure, you are not allowed to hang tapestries from the ceiling or in front of the door. Additionally, we do not allow halogen lamps due to fire safety concerns.
Fire Drills
Fire drills will be scheduled periodically in each residence hall. Residence Life Staff will assist Public Safety personnel with administering the fire drills. The fire doors are not to be used except in the case of an emergency. Activating fire alarms or using fire extinguishers outside of an emergency is a serious crime, and offenders will be appropriately prosecuted in accordance with the Meadville city and Pennsylvania codified ordinances, in addition to being subject to student conduct action for a violation of the Code of Conduct. You are required to evacuate College-owned buildings in the event that a fire alarm sounds and must refrain from tampering with or disabling fire safety equipment. Violations of fire safety policies are subject to disciplinary action including a fine up to $500 and/or removal from housing.
Fire Safety Education
Public Safety and the Meadville Fire Department provide fire safety training for Residence Hall staff at the beginning of each academic year. Fire safety awareness information is posted on bulletin boards and distributed to parents and resident students during orientation programs and at residence hall meetings. Report a Fire Students, staff and faculty should report all fires, fire alarms and other emergency situations to Public Safety at (814) 332-3357, the Meadville Fire Department at 9-1-1. On receiving a report of a fire or fire alarm, a Public Safety Officer immediately notifies the local fire department. The Public Safety Officer will then notify other campus administrative staff as necessary.
Fire Safety Systems
Residence Hall facilities are equipped with fire alarm systems, including smoke, manual pull stations, and signaling devices (e.g. fire alarm horns, speakers and strobes). In addition to sounding a local alarm, each residence hall fire alarm panel communicates with a central monitoring station located in the Public Safety office (Newton Observatory), where trained dispatchers continuously monitor the panel for alarm and trouble conditions. Fire extinguishers are located throughout the residence halls. Sprinkler systems are provided. However, some buildings with partial sprinkler systems will have sprinklers located in certain utility closets and certain common areas.
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