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Belmont University
Annual Fire Safety Report 2012

Fire Statistics

To obtain a copy of the Daily Fire Log, contact the Office of Safety Programs at 615-460-6023 or laura.prentice@belmont.edu.

For information on residence halls on campus, go to Residence Hall Building Information.

Housing Facility Fire Safety Policies and Information

 Electrical Appliances and Safety

In order to insure maximum health and safety standards in residential areas, several categories of electrical appliances have been established. Those categories are as follows:

• Prohibited Appliances (which may NOT be used or stored in residence halls) including but not limited to: coffee makers, toasters, toaster ovens, convection ovens, electric skillets, waffle or crepe pans, crock pots, hot plates, hamburger makers, space heaters, electric blankets.
• Kitchen-only Appliances (which may be stored in rooms, but ONLY USED in kitchen facilities): oil popcorn poppers and George Foreman grills.
• Room Appliances (which may be used and stored in student rooms): musical instruments, hair dryers, fans, blenders, hot-air popcorn poppers, irons and single cup coffee makers without an open heating surface.
• Lighting Regulations and Safety: The university does not permit the use of halogen lamps or any other light that produces excessive heat in the student residential areas. Overhead, or room, lights may not be covered with any material. Though neon lights are permitted within residential areas, they may not be placed in windows or be seen from the exterior of the building. LED and CFL light bulbs are encouraged when possible.
• Refrigerators which meet university standards (4.0 c.ft.) and are Energy Star rated are permitted.
• Microwaves (between 700-800 watts) are allowed in residential areas.
• The university reserves the right to remove and/or confiscate any appliance or device it deems unsafe or problematic to a facility’s electrical system. All confiscated items will be held by the Residence Director until arrangements are made to return the item to the student, at which time it must be permanently removed from campus, such as a university break or holiday.

Electrical Extensions

In accordance with the direction of the fire marshal, the use or possession of extension cords, multiple plugs, or multiple plug converters is prohibited within all of the residential areas. The fire marshal has approved the use of Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) approved power strips with circuit breakers. Please contact your Resident Assistant (RA) if you are unsure if your power strip is permissible.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed anywhere on Belmont’s campus.

Emergency Procedures

Belmont University is committed to equipping you with tools to aid in your safety in the event of an on-campus emergency. Below is a list of common emergency procedures; however, a detailed list of emergencies and procedures is available on BIC (in Resources), titled Emergency Management Plan. Please familiarize yourself with all emergency procedures.

Earthquake Should an earthquake occur, you should get under a piece of sturdy furniture or in a doorway.  Stay away from windows and glass. Remain in building, if building is stable, unless notified by university official to vacate building to the designated area. Persons outside when an earthquake occurs should move to an open area away from electrical wires, tall structures, etc.

Fire Evacuation Every time a fire alarm is activated, all residents must exit the building unless they have been notified prior to the event that it is not necessary to evacuate (as in testing of the alarms, etc.)

• IF THERE IS A FIRE OR ACTIVATED ALARM IN THE BUILDING:

1. Evacuate the building using the stairs (NEVER use the elevator)

• If the smoke is thick, crawl close to the floor to avoid smoke inhalation.

2. Make your way to the designated exterior gathering area and then alert emergency response personnel

(if alarm has not been activated) by calling 615-460-6911.

3. If reporting the emergency, state your name, building, location of fire (wing, floor, room, etc.) and

nature of the fire (laundry, equipment, mattress, etc) if possible. Stay on the line for questions, if it is safe to do so. The Office of Campus Security will contact the Nashville Fire Department.

• Designated exterior gathering area during a fire:

Belmont Commons: Parking lot of 15th Ave. Annex/Law Building

Bruin Hills: Inside Bruin Hills Clubhouse

Dickens: Parking area between Buildings 8-9 in the Hillside

Hail: Inner circle of campus/Quad

Heron: Inner circle of campus/Quad

Hillside: Buildings 1-5 12th Ave. parking lot, Building 6-9 parking lot between Buildings 6-9 and Bruin Hills

Kennedy: Parking lot between Maddox and tennis courts

Potter: Soccer Field

Patton/Bear House: Soccer Field

Pembroke: Inner circle of campus/Quad

Thrailkill: Between Building 6 of Hillside and Thrailkill Parking Garage

Wright/Maddox: Grass area in front of Wright/Maddox

• IF YOU ARE TRAPPED IN A BUILDING DURING A FIRE

1. If you cannot get out of the building, go to the refuge area in the stairwell.

2. If there is a fire in the hallway, stay in your room, close the doors, dial 615-460-6911 and stand close to the window to signal for help.
3. Put something in the window to alert emergency responders to your location.
4. If smoke is entering the room through the cracks in the door, stuff wet clothes in the cracks.
5. Stay close to the floor to avoid smoke inhalation, but continue to shout and peek out through the window to alert emergency responders.

Fire Drills

Fire drills are conducted at least twice per year for all residence halls.  Apartment complexes do not have fire drills at this time.

Fire Safety Education

Floor meetings in Residence Halls review emergency evacuation procedures, safety policy review, and Health and Safety Inspections.

RAs and RDs attend training sessions regularly on emergency procedures, including fire safety and response.

Residence Hall Fire Safety Information

Follow the following link to obtain information about each Residence Hall’s Fire Safety Measures or contact the Coordinator of Safety Programs at 615-460-6023 or emailto: laura.prentice@belmont.edu.