Fire Safety Report

2010-2011 Campus Fire Safety Annual Compliance Report

Overview

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (PL 110-315) became law in August 2008, requiring all United States academic institutions to produce an annual fire safety report outlining the fire safety practices, standards, and all fire-related on-campus housing statistics. The following public disclosure report details all information required by this law as it relates to Concordia University, Nebraska.

General Statement of University Owned /Controlled Student Housing

Concordia University, Nebraska’s 11 Residence Halls are completely covered by a State Fire Marshall approved and regularly inspected fire alarm systems which are monitored 24 hours/day, seven days/week. Ten of the Residence Halls are covered by automatic fire suppression sprinkler systems. The remaining dorm had a renovation during the 2011 summer that added an automatic fire suppression sprinkler system in one wing. The other three wings will have automatic fire suppression sprinklers installed in a future renovation.

All Campus Security Officers, Buildings and Grounds employees and residence hall staff receive comprehensive fire safety training at the beginning of the academic year. In addition a program that covers emergency and evacuation procedures is reviewed regularly with the occupants and staff of each residence hall. Emergency Evacuation maps are posted on each dorm floor to direct residents to exits. Fire drills are conducted each semester in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association’s Life Safety Code.

Basic fire safety instruction is provided to both new and current employees.

Specific Fire Prevention Policies

It is the policy of Concordia University, Nebraska to provide faculty, staff, students and visitors with the safest possible environment, free from potential fire hazards. The primary goal of the University’s Fire Safety Program is to recognize hazardous conditions and take appropriate action before such conditions result in a fire. The goal is accomplished by conducting periodic safety inspections of all university buildings and increasing the fire safety awareness of employees and students by conducting periodic basic fire safety.

In regard to Fire Safety Inspections, fire and life safety features of the buildings will be in compliance with the standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The Environmental Health, Safety and Security Office conducts fire safety inspections of all campus buildings.

Basic fire safety instruction will be provided during New Employee Orientation. Additional training is available upon request by a department. Basic fire safety instruction is provided to all Resident Assistants (RA’s) and Resident Hall Coordinators (RC’s) at the beginning of each academic year.

The Environmental Health, Safety and Security Office will coordinate fire investigations with the Seward Volunteer Fire Department, Seward Police Department and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office.

To minimize the potential for fires at Concordia University, Nebraska, it is the policy of the university to prohibit open burning and open flames (unless in accordance with university policies and procedure). In accordance with Chapter 8 of the Concordia University Safety Plan the following items and open flames are prohibited on campus:

1. Candles except in approved religious ceremonies
2. Incense
3. Fireworks
4. Oil lamps or other fuel burning lamps.
5. Any open flames or burning, except as part of an approved scientific project, maintenance project or a wood fire in the fire pit at the outdoor chapel, are prohibited on campus. Wood fires in the fire pit at the outdoor chapel must be approved in advance in accordance with the rules established by the Student Life Office.
   
6. Flammable liquids must be stored in approved safety cabinets. Flammable liquids are not allowed to be stored in residence hall rooms (including paint thinner, solvents, lighter fluid and lamp oil.)
7. Barbeque grills are prohibited with the exception of the permanently mounted grills provided by the university.
8. Smoking is prohibited within all buildings on campus.
9. Portable space heaters are prohibited in dorm rooms.

To minimize the potential for fires at Concordia University, Nebraska, it is the policy of the university to prohibit cooking in any dormitory room except at Jonathan Hall. Kitchens are provided in several dorms that can be used to cook pizzas, bake cookies etc. within the guidelines established by the Student Life Office. Accordingly cooking devices/equipment is  prohibited in dorm rooms. This includes microwave ovens, toaster ovens, griddles, grills, slow cookers, electric skillets, deep fryers and other such small appliances.

To minimize the potential for fires at Concordia University, Nebraska, it is the policy of the university to prohibit the use of combustible decorations. All decorations used in used on campus must be fire-resistant or non-combustible. Decorative lights and extension cords must be UL rated and not used so as to present a fire hazard or trip-hazard. Live trees or greens are prohibited as decoration.   

Statistical Report