Columbia University Housing

Fire Safety Plans

All residents receive a CD-Rom with fire safety plan information about each of the residence halls and Brownstones at Check-In. This plan contains important fire safety information and evacuation procedures. A summary of these evacuation procedures is also posted on the back of your room door. To maximize your personal fire safety, you should familiarize yourself with these materials. If you need a replacement copy of your building’s plan, they can be found online in the Residence Hall section of the Housing website or you may request a copy of these plans by emailing housing@columbia.edu. If you need a new fire safety sticker for your door, please email housing@columbia.edu.

Fire Alarms and Safety Equipment

Fire detection, suppression, and notification equipment is located in the residence halls for your protection. Activation of an alarm will automatically cause a response by the New York City Fire Department. False alarms waste time and resources, and endanger the lives of firefighters and people needing their assistance. Sounding false alarms, starting open fires, arson, and tampering with fire safety equipment are criminal offenses. Any student involved with infractions of fire safety is in severe violation of University regulations and are punishable by permanent expulsion from University housing. If you have any questions regarding fire safety policies or procedures, contact Public Safety at 212-854-2796.

• Alarms: Fire alarms are tested monthly at scheduled times that are posted in each building. Unless posted, all alarms should be considered authentic fire alerts requiring immediate evacuation. During such an alarm, everyone must leave the building in a quick and orderly manner. If you discover a fire, you should pull the nearest fire alarm and, once you have left the area, call the campus Emergency Number at ext. 99.

• Safety Checks: After fire alarms or during a planned fire drill, a random number of rooms/suites may be inspected for compliance with University fire safety regulations. University staff will look for visible fire hazards, such as halogen lamps and candles. They will not check in or open drawers or closets. If University staff discover a fire hazard in your room, you and the Assistant/Associate Directors of Residential Programs will receive a written notice. Prohibited items will be removed. Students are responsible for claiming items from the Hospitality Desk within 48 hours and storing them off-campus or disposing of them. These items will not be permitted back into the residence hall.

Fire Safety Guidelines

Make sure to learn the location of several fire pull boxes and at least two fire exits within your building. In addition, always keep fire doors closed and report any damaged or missing fire safety equipment.

Due to the potential risks and hazards associated with their use, certain appliances and decorations may not be used in student rooms. In addition, certain other appliances may only be used in designated cooking areas or kitchens. For further details and a complete list of these items, see Appliances.

You may not possess items that operate with an open flame (i.e. grills, lanterns, candles, or incense), nor may you possess flammable materials such as gasoline, kerosene, or propane.

Fire Safety Tips

• Do not overload electrical outlets at any time. Only one appliance should be plugged into each socket in the outlet.

• Do not use multiple extension cords.

• Do not operate two or more high-amperage appliances simultaneously (i.e. a computer and a hair dryer).

• Do use a surge suppressor to protect your computer and other sensitive electronic equipment.

Evacuation Procedures

1. Awaken any sleeping roommate or suitemates.
2. Prepare to evacuate by putting on shoes and coat if time permits.
   
3. Feel the doorknob and the door. If they are hot, do not open the door. If they are cool, open slowly, but if heat or smoke rushes in, close the door immediately and remain inside.
4. When leaving your room, be sure to take your key in case it is necessary to return to the room should conditions in the corridor deteriorate.

If for any reason you are not able to leave your room, dial the campus Emergency Number at ext. 99 and inform Public Safety of your location. Help will be sent immediately.

If exit is possible:

• Make sure to close the door tightly when evacuating.

• Follow a predetermined exit route in a quick and orderly manner.

• Leave the building using the nearest accessible stairway – not the elevator!

• When exiting in smoky conditions, keep your hand on the wall and crawl to the nearest exit.

• After exiting the building, please keep clear of the building entry to allow quick access by FDNY, Fire Safety, and Public Safety personnel.

• When the building has been deemed safe for reentry, Public Safety will authorize you to go back inside.

If exit is not possible:

• Make sure the door is tightly closed and use a bed sheet or blanket to fill the cracks around the door.

• Open the window two-thirds at the top to allow hot air and gases to escape—and one-third at the bottom. Keeping your face near the bottom opening will allow you to breathe fresh air while waiting for help to arrive. Never break the window. If you do, you will no longer have the ability to control the influx of smoke from other floors.

• Wave a towel or brightly colored shirt from the window to aid rescuers. The Fire Department will look for this sign.

Evacuation Procedure for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities or students with chronic medical, health or psychological conditions, whose illnesses or disabilities may interfere with their ability to evacuate their residence halls or university apartment unassisted in the event of an emergency or evacuation, are encouraged to alert the Office of Disability Services (ODS) by completing the Disability Evacuation Assistance Registration form. This information will be shared with Columbia’s offices of Public and Fire Safety, Residential Programs, Housing, and the local Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Students with disabilities with special evacuation needs are advised to contact the Department of Public Safety Office of Fire and Life Safety at (212) 854-6670, or 6676 for individual emergency preparedness and planning consultation.