Fire Safety | Ohio University

Fire Safety Guidelines for Residents

At Ohio University, the safety of our students is our top priority. To ensure a safe living environment for everyone, it is essential to understand and follow fire safety expectations and procedures within residence halls. By familiarizing yourself with these guidelines, you help prevent emergencies and contribute to the well-being of the entire campus community.

Hazard Prevention and Safety Measures
Starting or falsely reporting a fire, or tampering with, damaging, or covering emergency equipment (such as exit signs, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinklers, or evacuation boards) is strictly prohibited. These actions are federal offenses, and the OUPD will be alerted. Do not hang items on the ceiling or on life safety equipment (such as fire alarms and sprinkler heads), and avoid covering more than 25% of your walls. Never cover or obstruct fire alarm devices. Any interference with or obstruction of these safety devices is prohibited.

Fire Alarm Expectations
If you see or suspect a fire, you should contact 911. When the fire alarm sounds, immediate evacuationis required for your safety. All residents must leave the building without delay and should not re-enter until cleared by authorities. Ohio law mandates this procedure to ensure everyone’s safety during an emergency. Remember, your quick response could save lives—never ignore the alarm or hesitate to evacuate.

Evacuation Steps

In the event of an emergency, it’s essential to stay calm and follow the evacuation procedures promptly. Be aware of your surroundings and follow these steps to leave the building safely.

STEP 1: Grab Necessary Items

Before leaving the building, make sure to grab your OHIO ID, keys, and clothing suitable for the weather (such as a jacket and shoes). If you have an assistance animal, remember to take them with you and ensure their safety during the evacuation.

Do not leave items in the hallways that may obstruct those evacuating or fire fighters entering the building. Always shut your room door behind you. The doors in OHIO residence halls are fire-rated to help contain fires. If a fire were to start in a room, keeping the door closed slows the spread of flames to the hallway and other rooms, giving more time for evacuations and allowing firefighters to act.

STEP 2: Leave the Building

Follow the building’s evacuation plan and head to the nearest emergency exit. Be familiar with escape routes and emergency exits in advance to ensure a smooth and quick exit. It is important to never use elevators during a fire evacuation. Always take the stairwells, as elevators may become a hazard during a fire or other emergency situations. Stay calm, move quickly, and avoid pushing or shoving as you exit.

STEP 3: Move to Evacuation Site

Once outside the building, move to the designated evacuation site that is away from the building ad call 911. It is essential to maintain a safe distance from the structure, as fires can spread unexpectedly. Do not re-enter the building under any circumstances until you receive an official clearance from Housing staff or fire personnel. Following these instructions ensures your safety and the safety of others.

Hall	Evacuation Site	Inclement Weather Evacuation Site
4 University Terrace	Front yard of Memorial Auditorium	Inside Memorial Auditorium
Adams Hall	Courtyard behind Nelson	Hoover House (ground floor)
Biddle Hall	Courtyard behind Perkins Hall	Perkins Hall lobby
Boyd Hall	Irvine Hall walkway	Treudley Hall lobby
Bromley Hall	Outside Haning Hall	Inside Haning Hall
Brown Hall	South Beach basketball courts	Crawford Hall lobby
Bryan Hall	Front yard of Memorial Auditorium	4 University Terrace lobby
Bush Hall	Front yard of Washington Hall	Washington Hall lobby
Carr Hall	Living Learning Center amphitheater	Tanaka Hall multi-purpose room
Convocation Center	Side yard of James Hall	James Hall lobby
Crawford Hall	Lawn area of South Beach	Pickering Hall lobby
Dougan House	Lawn on catwalk side of building	Wray House (ground floor)
Ewing House	Lawn on catwalk side of building	Wray House (ground floor)
Gamertsfelder Hall	Courtyard behind Bush Hall	Bush Hall lobby
Hoover House	Lawn on catwalk side of building	Ewing House (ground floor)
James Hall	Courtyard between James and Wilson Halls	Wilson Hall lobby
Jefferson Hall	Courtyard behind Johnson Hall	Johnson Hall lobby
Johnson Hall	Courtyard behind Read Hall	Jefferson Hall 1st Floor
Lincoln Hall	Front yard of Biddle Hall	Biddle Hall lobby
Luchs Hall	Living Learning Center amphitheater	Carr Hall multi-purpose room
Mackinnon Hall	Lawn area of South Beach	Pickering Hall lobby
Perkins Hall	Courtyard behind Biddle Hall	Biddle Hall lobby
Pickering Hall	South Beach basketball courts	Crawford Hall lobby
Read Hall	Courtyard behind Johnson Hall	Jefferson Hall 1st Floor
Ryors Hall	Front yard of Boyd Hall	Treudley Hall lobby
Sargent Hall	Courtyard between James and Wilson Halls	James Hall lobby
Shively Hall	Courtyard behind Perkins Hall	Perkins Hall lobby
Sowle Hall	Living Learning Center amphitheater	Tanaka Hall multi-purpose room
Tanaka Hall	Living Learning Center amphitheater	Carr Hall multi-purpose room
Tiffin Hall	Courtyard beside Gamertsfelder Hall	Gamertsfelder Hall lobby
Treudley Hall	Front yard of Boyd Hall	Ryors Hall lobby
True House	Lawn on catwalk side of building	Dougan House (ground floor)
Voigt Hall	Howard Hall site	4 University Terrace lobby
Washington Hall	Lawn area in front of Bush Hall	Bush Hall lobby
Wilson Hall	Courtyard between James and Wilson Halls	James Hall lobby
Wray House	Lawn on catwalk side of building	Dougan House (ground floor)

Common Causes of Fire Alarms

Understanding and avoiding activities that trigger fire alarms helps prevent unnecessary disruptions and ensures your safety:

Aerosol Sprays Aerosol sprays (e.g., hairspray, bug repellent, Lysol, Febreze) are allowed in residence halls, but use them with caution as use of these products may trigger the fire alarm system.

Overloading Outlets Plugging in too many devices or using extension cords improperly can overload electrical circuits and cause sparks or overheating, triggering the fire alarm.

Always avoid overloading outlets and ensure that you’re using power strips with built-in surge protectors. Never daisy-chain multiple power strips together.

Candles & Open Flame Devices The use of candles, incense, or any other open flame devices (e.g., lighters, matches) is prohibited in the residence halls.

Smoking & Vaping Smoking and vaping under the age of 21 is illegal in the state of Ohio and no matter the age are strictly prohibited inside the residence halls.

Steam Excessive steam from showers or humidity from the environment can cause moisture to accumulate near fire alarms, leading to a false activation.

Always use the bathroom fan when showering and ensure that windows are open to provide ventilation.

Burnt and Unattended Cooking Microwaving food without properly monitoring it can easily lead to burnt or overheated food, which may trigger the fire alarm system due to the smoke or strong odor. Always supervise your microwave when using it.

Avoid using preset functions like the popcorn button, as they might not be suitable for all food items. Follow food packaging instructions carefully and use microwave-safe containers to reduce the risk of overheating.

Understanding the Dangers and How to Stay Safe

This video highlights the real dangers and potential consequences of fires, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and knowing what to do in an emergency. Fires can spread quickly, and it’s crucial to understand how to protect yourself and others. Following safety protocols and evacuation steps can make all the difference in staying safe. Watch this video to learn how to prevent fire hazards, recognize the signs of danger, and take immediate action if a fire occurs. Being informed can help save lives—yours and others around you.

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