Campus Safety + Security

Fire Safety Policies are based on guidance from the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. This law requires any institution maintaining on-campus student housing to issue an annual fire safety report. Included in this report are statistics regarding the number and causes of fires, number of fire injuries or deaths and values of property damages. This report must also include information on each on-campus student housing fire safety system, the number of regular mandatory fire drills, fire safety policies, education programs and plans for any needed fire safety improvements. Crown College developed this report to comply with the 2008 act and to better inform the Crown College community — students, prospective students, parents, faculty and staff — on how fires affect the campus residential facilities. It includes all of the required information on fires, preventative actions, campus guidelines and training that is conducted to reduce the likelihood and impact of campus fires.

Section I: Definitions from within the law

Fire — Any instance of open flame or other burning in a place not intended to contain the burning or in an uncontrolled manner.

Fire drill — A supervised practice of a mandatory evacuation of a building for a fire.

Fire-related injury — Any instance in which a person is injured as a result of a fire, including an injury sustained from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescue or escaping from the dangers of the fire. The term person may include students, faculty, staff, visitors, firefighters, or any other individuals.

Fire-related death — Any instance in which a person is killed as a result of a fire, including death resulting from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescues or escaping from the dangers of a fire, or deaths that occur within one year of injuries sustained as a result of the fire.

Fire safety system — Any mechanism or system related to the detection of a fire, the warning resulting from a fire or the control of a fire including; Sprinkler or other fire extinguishing systems, fire detection devices, stand-alone smoke alarms, and/or devices that alert one to the presence of a fire, such as horns, bells or strobe lights, smoke-control and reduction mechanisms, and fire doors and walls that reduce the spread of a fire.

Value of property damage — The estimated value of the loss of the structure and contents, in terms of the cost of replacement in like kind and quantity, including contents damaged by fire, related damages caused by smoke, water and overhaul. However, it does not include indirect loss, such as business interruption.

Fire Log — A fire log is kept at the Department of Campus Safety, open to the public during normal business hours.

Section II: Residence Hall & Apartment Fire Drills

Fire drills are held once a semester for each residential facility. Fire drills are mandatory, supervised evacuations of the building for a fire. The fire drill is scheduled with the Department of Campus Safety and Residential Life. Students who fail to leave the building during a fire drill will be fined and the incident is turned over to Resident Life and Operations to determine the consequence.

Section III: Fire and Life Safety Education

All first-year students receive fire safety training during their orientation period at the beginning of the academic school year. Additional training is provided to all residents by the Resident Life Staff at the beginning of the academic school year. The Campus Safety website and this publication serve as additional resource material for educating the entire campus community.

Section IV: Fire Safety Improvement & Upgrades

On an annual basis, Crown College reviews the fire systems in our residence facilities and makes upgrades, repairs and/or revisions when opportunities or issues are identified.

Section V: Fire Safety Regulations

Candles/Flammable Materials/Incense

Candles, incense, oil lamps, etc., (typically anything utilizing a wick or flame or consuming flammable material, including such things as decorative candles, potpourri simmer pots, and Sterno cans), are NOT allowed in residence hall rooms, college-owned apartments or houses. Violations are subject to citations and/or other disciplinary action. Storage of volatile materials or other flammables (e.g., gasoline) is likewise not permitted.

Electrical Appliances

Students may utilize electrical appliances in residence halls, such as radio, television, personal computer, DVD/CD player, electric coffee pot, personal lamp, popcorn popper (in student rooms only), fan, shaver, portable hair dryer, other personal care appliances, clock, microwave oven and compact refrigerator. Heating or cooking appliances with open coils (e.g., hot plates, air conditioners, pop-up or oven style toasters, sun lamps, hot tubs and electric blankets) may not be used in student rooms. Touch lamps, either halogen or incandescent, are permitted for use in residents halls only with an approved safety cage covering the top of the fixture. Electric extension cords are not to be used in a manner that may create a fire hazard, such as running a cord under a rug/carpet or in a place where the insulation may be worn out. Students are cautioned to be very careful with electrical appliances and extension cords. Tampering with electrical systems, such as installing dimmer switches, ceiling fans or other alterations to wiring is prohibited for the safety of all residents and the general upkeep of the building.

Fire Safety

Evacuation instructions — All students and guests are expected to respond appropriately whenever a fire alarm is sounded. Each person is expected to observe the fire safety guidelines. Violations are issued as citations.

When an alarm is sounded – Leave lights on in the room, close and lock the door. All individuals must leave the building using the nearest exit. Remain outside until the staff gives the all-clear sign. Failure to leave the building during the sounding of a fire alarm is a violation of both state and college codes. Violations are issued as citations.

Fire Safety Equipment — Fire extinguishers, fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers and other fire and safety equipment are placed in the halls for the safety of the residents in the building. Misuse of the fire and safety equipment is a serious violation of both state and college codes.

Section VI: Fire Marshal’s Directives

Crown College is concerned about the safety and welfare of the students living in the residence halls and has both a legal and moral responsibility to see that the State Fire Marshal’s directives are met. Crown College cannot and will not play games with fire and safety standards, policies and procedures. The intent of these fire directives is very clear; to make Crown College residence halls as safe as possible. Students may not keep anything in the residence halls that will increase the risk of fire or explosion or which is contrary to the directives of the State Fire Marshal’s office, or the terms of the College’s insurance policies. Misuse of fire and safety equipment including, but not limited to, fire extinguishers and fire alarms, is a violation of both Crown College regulations and state laws. The state Fire Marshal’s office has notified Crown College that the following cannot be allowed in students’ rooms:

Carpeting and Carpet pad: Carpeting and carpet pads are permitted. Due to the concern of fires all carpet and pads must be cut to allow the door to open freely.

Door Obstructions: Doors must be able to easily open to their full capacity. There must be a clear and easy exit from each room that may be readily located in the case of fire, smoke, sleepiness, intoxication, darkness or the confusion of an actual emergency.

Flammable materials hanging from or draped across ceiling: The Deputy Fire Marshal has specifically banned any and all flammable materials hanging or draped from the ceiling, including hanging room dividers (whether hanging from the ceiling or suspended below it). The Deputy Fire Marshal has agreed to allow wall hangings (flat against the wall), but has suggested these be made of a fire resistant material.

Residential Sprinkling System

The residence hall hallways and each room contain sprinklers that will activate either through the presence of fire or misuse. Should a student set off the sprinkler system as a result of misuse, whether within or outside their room, they will be held liable for all damages, plus a prescribed fine.

Residents violating these directives are legally liable for both civil and criminal negligence should a fire or other related problems occur. Additionally, should Crown College discover violations, the student(s) responsible are subject to formal disciplinary action.

Section VII: Smoking Policy

Crown College’s smoking policy is covered by the Student, Faculty and Staff handbooks.

Section VIII: Fire/Life Safety Inspections

Throughout the academic school year a Residence Life, Facility Management Services or Operations staff person will do a fire/life inspection of your room. Should a violation be found, you will receive a letter indicating what the violations were and you will be expected to immediately comply. If the violation(s) have not been corrected after an unannounced re-inspection, you and/or your roommate will be fined and will be subject to disciplinary action.

Some common violations are as follows: Extension cords and multi-tap electric units without a breaker; items stored closer than 18 inches to a sprinkler head; blocking of electrical panels; blocking of egress (exit) paths; evidence of burning of candles, incense or tobacco products; covering a door with paper or other combustible material; use of electrical wiring, devices and/or appliances that are modified or damaged; use of a portable heater; tampered with smoke detector or CO detector; use of halogen lamp/lighting; unsafe lofting or raising of beds — including rooms with no guardrails; strings of lights, twinkle lights or holiday lights; any other situation deemed unsafe by the staff inspector.

Fire Log Summary

Fire Log Statistical Data

Fire Log Residential Data

Emergency Response, Evacuation Procedures and Missing Person Notification- operations

Emergency Response – Call 9-1-1 immediately if the situation is a life-threatening emergency. In all instances, call Campus Safety (Ext. 5100 or 952-412-3658). Stay with the individual and do not attempt to move him/her unless they are in danger. Calmly allow emergency personnel to address the situation.

Evacuation Procedures

Fire – If an alarm with strobe lights is going off inside the building, it is signaling a fire alarm. You should exit and calmly close your room/office/classroom door behind you, assist persons with disabilities or special needs, and move immediately out of the building into the parking lots past the fire lanes for fire evacuation. If you are in a classroom, guide students to the nearest exit in a calm and orderly manner. Do not enter buildings until authorized by emergency personnel.

Natural Gas Leak – Remain calm and guide students to evacuate the building or area immediately while assisting persons with disabilities or special needs. Call Campus Facilities 952-446-4183 or 952-412-3659 after hours. Do NOT use light switches, cell phones or anything else that could cause a spark. Do NOT use or tamper with any equipment.

Information for Crime Victims about Disciplinary Proceedings

Crown College will, upon written request, disclose to the alleged victim of any crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense, the results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by the College against a student who is the alleged perpetrator of such crime or offense. If the alleged victim is deceased as a result of the crime or offense, the information shall be provided, upon request, to the next of kin of the alleged victim.

Director of Operations

952-446-4132 | operations@crown.edu