Environmental Health & Safety

Preventing Fires and Staying Safe

Following housing policy is the most important (and perhaps easiest) thing you can do to keep yourself and others safe, when it comes to smoking, candles and incense, and the maintenance of fire safety equipment. It is also important when having friends and family to visit you to maintain safe occupancy levels in your room/apartment. Stay familiar with fire safety equipment and steps to follow in the event of a fire in your apartment or residence hall room.

Fire and Emergency Equipment

Fire alarms and fire extinguishers are located on each floor of the residence halls and the sorority houses. If abused or removed, this equipment will not be available in the event of fire, thereby endangering many lives. If anyone is found tampering with or improperly using alarms, extinguishers, hoses, sprinkler heads, or fire equipment of any form, student conduct and/or legal action will be taken. In addition, improper use of fire doors will lead to student conduct action.

False Alarm

Pulling a false fire alarm or tampering with fire or alarm equipment (including smoke detectors in rooms) will automatically result in a minimum $250.00 fine plus damages and other appropriate student conduct sanctions. Repeated offenses with fire-related equipment could result in additional fines and removal from housing. In addition to university sanctions, offenders may face $500.00 in civil fines and up to six months in jail. For further information, refer to RHA Bill 921, passed by RHA in spring 1992 and approved by Housing & Dining Services. Apartment residents are encouraged to take safety precautions such as testing smoke detectors and keeping a small fire extinguisher near kitchen areas. Tampering with any fire equipment is strictly prohibited.

Fire Safety Equipment

The following provides important information about University Housing’s fire safety equipment and safety practices and specific steps that student residents should follow to help maintain a safe living environment. Fire extinguishers are located throughout the residence halls and sorority housing. Proper use of fire extinguishers within extinguisher limits and by trained individuals is optional but should not be attempted until building alarm is activated and people are evacuated.

Steps for use of a fire extinguisher

Memorize the acronym for using an extinguisher: “PASS.” It stands for “Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.”

• Make sure the fire extinguisher is upright.
• Remove the plastic tie from handle.
• Pull the pin from the handle.
• Aim the nozzle low, while keeping the extinguisher upright.
• Squeeze the handle. The substance will be released.
• Move in toward the fire, keeping the extinguisher focused on the base of the fire, when you can see that it’s being put out.
• Sweep the extinguisher from side to side until the fire is out.

Smoke Detectors

Each room/apartment, is equipped with a smoke detector(s). This device is in the housing area to warn residents of smoke or fire. Smoke detectors are very sensitive so avoid spraying hair products or use hair appliances while directly underneath a smoke detector. Never cover or obstruct smoke detectors. Housing/Facilities Management staff will inspect the smoke detector(s) periodically. Apartment residents are urged to test their smoke detectors on a regular basis to ensure they are in working order. Please follow these instructions to test you smoke detector.

• Locate the test button. (Generally, the button is on the faceplate of the detector. However, it may be on the base or flange of the detector in some models.)
• Press the button firmly.
• Listen for the audible alarm emitted when the button is pressed.
• Release test button—the alarm sound should stop immediately. If a detector does not function in this manner, report it immediately to the Facilities Management (918-631-2287). Do not attempt to repair the detector yourself. Sprinkler System All residence halls and apartments are equipped with “wet” fire sprinkler systems. Should the system be activated, an audible alarm will also be heard. Residents must not hang any items from the sprinkler heads or tamper with any fire equipment. Do not obstruct or cover sprinklers or block the sprinkler so water cannot spread out and extinguish fires. Please remember to not handle, touch or damage the sprinkler heads or pipes. All related charges from damage will be billed to those responsible.

Fire Procedures

When a fire occurs in a residence hall, sorority house, or apartment unit, it is especially life threatening because of the number of people endangered. For these reasons, it is essential that advance preparation be made so that the occupants and emergency personnel will have specific guidelines to follow. These guidelines provide basic direction to those involved and help to lessen the number of decisions that must be made under stressful circumstances. When a fire alarm or smoke detector is sounded, always take the alarm seriously and assume there is a fire and evacuate immediately following these procedures. Failure to vacate the building will result in student conduct action as well as a fine of up to $75.00.

• Immediately evacuate the building via the shortest and safest route following these instructions. Do not use elevators and remain calm.
• Test your door using the back of your hand before opening. If it is warm, do not open! Stay in your room/apartment and wait for emergency personnel to reach you.
• Hang a sheet from your window to identify your location, if your window is able to open. If your door is not warm, evacuate and if the situation allows, put shoes on.
• If you notice smoke, use an alternative escape route.
• Check paths for safety before proceeding and close doors behind you.
• Crawl low if you have to go through smoke.
• Do not use elevators. A fire can disrupt the operation of elevators and trap occupants inside.
• Go to a safe area or to a pre-assigned exterior area for your building.
• If you suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact the emergency personnel outside the building.
• If you are trapped during a fire emergency, close all doors between you and the fire. Stuff cracks around the doors to keep out smoke. Wait at a safe window and signal/call for help. If you have a phone, call the fire department or 9-1-1 and tell them exactly where you are.
• Stop, drop and roll if your clothing catches fire.
• Do not re-enter the building for any reason until the all clear by Fire Department Personnel.
• Follow directions of fire and police personnel and the housing staff.

If You Discover A Fire

• Leave the fire area and close the door to the area.
• Sound the fire alarm in the residence halls or sorority housing.
• Immediately evacuate the building via the shortest and safest route. Proper use of fire extinguishers within extinguisher limits and by trained individuals is optional but should not be attempted until building alarm is activated and people are evacuated.
• Follow the evacuation procedures.
• From a safe area, call 9-1-1.
• Await emergency response personnel at safe location and direct them to the scene.
• If you suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact the emergency personnel outside the building.
• Follow directions of fire and police personnel and the housing staff.
• Do not re-enter the building for any reason until the all clear by Fire Department Personnel.

The Alexander Student Health Center (X2241) provides care and treatment of minor illness and emergencies for all full-time students who have a health record on file at the center. Students may be referred to a local physician for more serious health problems requiring treatment that exceeds the center’s capabilities. The center also strives to provide health education and preventative medicine. In case of major emergencies, students are referred to Hillcrest Medical Center, 1120 South Utica, 579-1000. When the Alexander Student Health Center is closed (during the summer and vacation periods) and immediate attention is required, emergency cases should be taken directly to Hillcrest’s Emergency Room. Hospital and ambulance services are at the student’s expense. For EMSA ambulance service, phone 918.596.3010 or dial 911. Please contact a Residence Life Staff member any time emergency health care is needed. The Office of Housing & Dining Services will not make the decision on whether to transport a student or not to a hospital, this decision is made by the student and EMSA.

The University of Tulsa has opted out of the EMSAcare Ambulance Program, and this is noted in the Housing License terms and conditions. As a resident, you may consider that typical ambulance ride can cost around $1300 or more, and may want to elect to participate in the program. The open election/enrollment period is (August 1st – August 31st each year). For more information about the program and to enroll during the open election period, visit www.emsaonline.com.

Or you can contact:
Utilities Services – 918-596-9511
Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
www.cityoftulsa.org

If you receive information regarding a bomb threat, get as much information from the caller as you can. Listen for background noises and voice patterns that might provide clues about the caller’s location. Then, take the following steps:

• Call campus security, ext. 5555.
• Contact a Residence Life Staff member.
• Give your name and the exact information you received. Do not investigate but be alert for unfamiliar objects along exit routes.
• Do not touch anything!
• Begin evacuation of the building only if it is ordered by housing personnel or campus security or as common sense dictates.