Fire Safety Policy

On this page, you will find the statistics, policies, and practices regarding fire safety maintained by the Department of Public Safety at Barnard College. Included below you will also find a description of each on-campus student housing facility fire safety system, the number of regular mandated supervised fire drills, policies and rules on portable electrical appliances, smoking and open flame, procedures for evacuation, policies regarding fire safety education and training programs for students, faculty and staff, and plans for future improvements in fire safety.

Residence Hall Fire Statistics

In accordance with the Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008, Barnard College is providing mandatory fire safety information annually. All reports of fires and fire alarms are maintained by Barnard Public Safety. Data collected includes, but is not limited to, the building name; alarm location; time and date; the number and cause of each fire; any and all injuries; any fatalities; and the dollar values for property damaged by the fire.

Statistics for 2010

The following statistics are collected and reported by the Department of Public Safety and are published in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report and on the Public Safety Website.

• The number of fires and the cause of each fire
• The number of deaths related to the fire
• The number of injuries related to the fire that resulted in treatment at a medical facility
• The value of property damage related to the fire

1. Fire: Any instance of open flame burning or other burning in a place not intended to contain the burning or in an uncontrolled manner.
2. Cause of Fire: The factor or factors that give rise to a fire. The causal factor may be, but is not limited to, the result of an intentional or unintentional action, mechanical failure, or act of nature. 
3. Fire-related Injury: Any instance in which a person is injured as a result of a fire, including an injury sustained from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of the fire. The term person may include students, faculty, staff, visitors, firefighters, or any other individuals.
4. Fire-related Death: Any instance in which a person is killed as a result of a fire, including death resulting from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of a fire, or who dies within one year of injuries sustained as a result of the fire.
5. Value of Property Damage: The estimated value of the loss of the structure and contents, in terms of the cost of replacement in like kind and quantity, including; contents damaged by fire, related damages caused by smoke, water, and overhaul. Property damage does not include indirect loss, such as business interruption.

Fire Log

Barnard College Fire Log is maintained at the Department of Public Safety and is available for inspections at the Office of Public Safety, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Description of Student Housing Fire Detection and Suppression Systems

1. Fire Safety System: Any mechanism or system related to the detection of a fire, including; Sprinkler or other fire extinguishing systems, Fire detection devices, Stand-alone smoke alarms, Devices that alert one to the presence of a fire, such as horns, bells, or strobe lights, smoke-control and reduction mechanisms, and Fire Doors and walls that reduce the spread of fire.
2. Partially Sprinklered areas include public corridors, below grade space, laundry and computer rooms.
3. Barnard College conducts a minimum of three drills per calendar year by the Fire Safety Officer in conjunction with Public Safety Officers for all college owned Residence Halls, Academic and Administrative buildings. At least one drill is conducted for occupied Residence Halls if used during summer session.

Building Fire Alarms

Each student residence is equipped with an interior fire alarm system with detection throughout the building, including smoke detectors in sleeping quarters, vestibules and hallways, and CO2 detectors in student rooms.

Interior Fire Alarm Systems

All residential buildings are equipped with interior fire alarm systems that are designed to warn building occupants of a fire in the building.  Interior fire alarm systems generally consist of a panel located in a lobby or basement, with a manual pull station located near the main entrance and by each stairwell door.  Interior fire alarm systems are usually manually activated and do not automatically transmit a signal to the Fire Department, so a telephone call must be made to 911 or the Fire Department Dispatcher.  Do not assume that the Fire Department has been notified because you hear a fire alarm or smoke detector sounding in the building.  Barnard College Residence Halls signal the Fire Department via Central Station.

Fire Sprinkler Systems

A fire sprinkler system is a system of pipes and sprinkler heads that when triggered by the heat of a fire automatically discharges water that extinguishes the fire.  The sprinkler system will continue to discharge water until it is turned off.  When a sprinkler system activates, an alarm is sounded.

Fire Safety Policies and Procedures

In accordance with the Rules of the City of New York RCNY 43-01 and Local Law 10, all Barnard students are given a “Residence Hall Fire Safety Information” booklet containing fire safety and evacuation procedures with specific information for each Residence Hall during building check in at the beginning of each fall semester.

Information included in this booklet includes the Fire Safety Plan, description of building construction, means of egress, description of fire suppression systems, basic fire prevention & preparedness measures, evacuation instructions, use of fire extinguishers and Residence Hall fire safety policies.

Residence Hall Policies regarding portable electrical appliances, smoking and open flames

There are no open flames allowed on campus including candles, barn fires, fire pits or barbecues unless such barbecue utilizes charcoal and is supervised by certified food services employee, Campus Fire Safety Officer or other authorized supervision as determined by the Director of Public Safety.

Cooking is only allowed in authorized kitchens. The use of microwaves or any other type of cooking device in individual rooms is strictly prohibited. In addition the following electrical appliances are prohibited.

Prohibited Items:

• Air conditioners (both window and portable units)
• Halogen lamps
• Hot plate, open coil heater, toaster, or toaster oven
• Deep fryer
• Rice cooker
• Microwaves in bedrooms (only may be used in suite kitchens)
• Space heater
• Extension cords (only surge protectors are allowed)

A complete list of Residence Hall rules and policies concerning portable electrical appliances, smoking, and open flames in resident housing are published in the student handbook under “Campus Fire Safety Procedures” and are found in the housing contract.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
We have received a report that this lighting appliance is prone to melting. We strongly recommend against the use of this product on our campus.

Smoking Policy

Barnard is a smoke free College. Smoking is prohibited in all college-owned student residences and all academic and administrative buildings. Outdoor smoking is not permitted within the confines of the campus.  

Barnard is committed to providing educational programs to assist every member of our community in making healthy lifestyle choices. Students, faculty, and administrators who are interested in smoking cessation programs may obtain information from Human Resources. In addition, residents of New York State can access services available through the New York State Quitline at 1-866-697-8487 or www.nysmokefree.com.

Procedures for Evacuations, Fire Safety Education and Training

Fire safety procedures can be found under “Campus Fire Safety Procedures” in the “Residence Hall Fire Safety Information”  booklet, as well as the Emergency and Safety Procedures Guide, which outlines evacuations, fire/explosion and gas leaks producers.

• Fire safety training is conducted annually by a Campus fire safety officer with all housing staff, RA’s, Public Safety Officers, Access Attendants and ARAMARK staff.
• During fire drills, a Campus fire safety officer issues fire safety tips to students.
• Public Safety supervisors address safety issues and fire safety tips during floor meetings in Campus residence halls in conjunction with RA’s (Resident Assistants).  
• The Department of Public Safety conducts a Fire Safety Day annually to promote fire safety awareness and prevention throughout the campus community.

To Report a Fire

To report a fire call Barnard Public Safety at 212-854-3362 or dial 88 from a campus telephone, if off campus dial 911.

If you discover a fire in a campus building, immediately pull the nearest fire alarm as you exit the building and follow Evacuation of Building Procedures.

Student Housing Evacuation

Emergency Fire Safety & Evacuation Instructions

In the event of a fire, follow the directions of Fire Department and Public Safety personnel. If no first responders are on the scene and there is an emergency situation, you may be required to decide on a course of action to protect yourself and the other members of your room or suite.

This Fire Safety Plan is intended to assist you in selecting the safest course of action in such an emergency.  No Fire Safety Plan can account for all possible factors and changing conditions, so you may have to decide what the safest course of action under the circumstances is.

General Emergency Fire Safety Instructions

1. Stay calm. Do not panic.  Notify Public Safety as soon as possible (212-854-3362 or dial 88 from a campus phone). Emergency personnel will be on the scene of a fire within minutes of receiving an alarm.
2. Know the location of the nearest fire alarm pull boxes.
3. Flames, heat and smoke rise, generally a fire on a floor below your room or suite presents a greater threat to your safety than a fire on a floor above you.
4. Do not overestimate your ability to put out a fire.  Most fires cannot be easily or safely extinguished.  Do not attempt to put the fire out once it begins to quickly spread.  If you attempt to put a fire out, make sure you have a clear path of retreat from the room.
5. Exit the building using stairs only and NEVER use the elevator because it could stop between floors or take you to where the fire is.  Close doors as you exit to confine the fire.  
6. Heat, smoke and gases emitted by burning materials can quickly choke you.  If you are in heavy smoke, get down on the floor and crawl.  Take short breaths through your nose.
7. If your clothes catch fire, don’t run – STOP, DROP and ROLL.  Stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your faced with your hands to protect your face and lungs and roll over as many times as necessary to smother the flames.

Evacuation Instructions for All Building Types

1. Feel your room or suite door and doorknob for heat.  If they are not hot, open the door slightly and check the hallway for smoke, heat or fire.
2. Exit your room, suite and building if you can safely do so, via the exit closest to you.
3. Close but do NOT lock the door to your room and suite and leave the area.  If the fire is in an adjacent area, close the door to that location as well.
4. If they are conveniently located, grab your keys and shoes on the way out.
5. As you head for the closest exit, yell for others to evacuate and bang on the doors as you walk past them.  You do not want to remain in the space to wait for others, but do your best to notify them on your way out.
   NEVER use the elevator to evacuate.  The elevator and elevator shaft may catch on fire, or the elevator may take you to the location of the fire.
6. If the hallway or stairwell is not safe because of smoke, heat or fire and you have access to a fire escape; use it to exit the building.  Proceed cautiously on the fire escape.
7. If you cannot use the stairs or fire escape, call Public Safety and inform them of your location including building, floor, room or suite number and the number of people with you.  Close the door to the room you are in and place a wet towel under the door to prevent smoke from getting into the room.
   If conditions in the room or suite seem life-threatening, open a window and wave a towel or sheet to attract the attention of emergency personnel.
8. Meet the members of your room or suite at a predetermined location outside the building.  Notify responding firefighters if anyone is unaccounted for.

Plans for Future Improvements in Fire Safety

Barnard College meets all New York City fire safety requirements and implements system upgrades with all building renovations. As current residences are renovated additional fire suppressions and detection devices are installed including expansion of sprinkler systems. In addition Barnard has recently installed the foundation for a state of the art “Fire Works” notification system throughout the campus. Capital improvement projections include a tie in of all on campus buildings and all campus owned Residence Halls to this notification system while maintaining current notification operations.