• Campus Safety
• Prevention
• Fire Safety

Fire Safety

In August 2008 the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) became Public Law 110-315.  It amends the Higher Education Act (HEA) to include new reporting requirements for all institutions of higher education beginning with the 2009 calendar year.  A major component for institutions that maintain on-campus student housing is publishing an Annual Fire Safety Report, keeping fire statistics, and maintaining a fire log.

There are several elements to fire safety in the residence halls of Occidental College including: building fire detection and suppressions systems, training, regular fire drills, mandatory evacuations for any fire alarm activations, fire safety and fire reporting policies.   

Buildings are equipped with fire detection systems including smoke and heat detectors.  All student rooms are equipped with smoke detectors that are on building power with a battery backup in case of power outages.  Building fire alarm devices are supervised and report a trouble signal to the panel should any device be damaged or removed.  Fire doors are kept open with magnetic door holders until the fire alarm system is activated, at which time they release, close and latch, limiting the spread of smoke and fire.  This system is effective in preventing fire doors from being propped open. 

Fire Reporting
All fires on campus, even if already extinguished and regardless of size, should be reported. Federal law requires the college to report on an annual basis all fires which occur in student housing.

Persons to which individuals should report that a fire has occurred include
• Director of Campus Safety or Campus Safety Officers
• Director of Risk Management
• Environmental Health & Safety Manager
• Others as deemed necessary

Fire Safety Education
Prohibited Items
Evacuation Procedures
Fire Safety Equipment