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Fire Safety

The safety of Â鶹¹û¶³'s faculty, staff, and students are always top priority, especially when it comes to fire prevention. The University has developed a fire emergency action plan (FEAP) based off of city, state, and federal standards to eliminate the risk of fires on each of its campuses. Some of these safeguards involve monthly and annual inspections by members of EHS, FMPC, and MUPD officers. The cities of Bethlehem and Lancaster perform annual fire inspections at the Bethlehem and Lancaster campuses to ensure fire codes are being followed and discuss new safety initiatives or recommendations.

Building Evacuations and Emergency Procedures

If a fire alarm goes off, all individuals are expected to:

  • Exit the building immediately by following emergency routes to the closest assembly points.
  • Never use an elevator while evacuating the building.
  • If necessary, turn off compressed gas valves and begin emergency shutdown procedures.
  • Individuals with accommodations should move to the closest staircase with an emergency exit to wait for emergency services.
  • Do not reenter the building until given the all clear by MUPD or by the fire department.
  • Never to put out a fire unless trained to do so.

Fire Drills

The University conducts fire drills in the residence halls quarterly while academic and administrative buildings are done annually. Individuals in the buildings are required to evacuate the building during drills as if it is an actual fire.

Fire Tips

  • Know your building's emergency procedures, fire exits, evacuation routes, and assembly points.
  • Do not use prohibited items known to cause fires.
  • Do not tamper with or block exits, doors, and fire suppression systems.
  • When using kitchen cookware or the stove, do not leave it unattended.
  • Always check burners and ovens to make sure they are turned off before leaving the room.
  • Students requiring accommodations are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability & Accommodations to discuss how they can be helped during an emergency.
  • Faculty and staff requiring accommodations are encouraged too, they should reach out to Human Resources for further discussion on how to be helped during an emergency.

Campus Fire Safety by the Numbers:

  • From 2017-2021, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 3,379 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and other related properties. These fires caused annual averages of 2 civilian deaths, 23 civilian injuries and $12 million in direct property damage.
  • Approximately three out of four fires in these properties began in the kitchen or cooking area. Cooking equipment was involved in nearly 9 out of 10 fires. Unattended equipment was the most common factor contributing to the ignition of these fires.
  • Saturday and Sunday were the peak days for these fires. However, fires that occurred on weekdays accounted for larger shares of injuries.
  • The peak time of day for these fires in dormitory-type properties was between 4 p.m. and midnight when over half of the fires occurred.
  • The peak time of day for fires in dormitory-type properties was between 4 p.m. and midnight when over half of the fires occurred. Fires were least likely to occur between midnight and 8 a.m., but these fires accounted for a greater share of the injuries and direct property damage.
  • February, September, and October were the peak months for fires in dormitory-type properties.

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