Fire Safety
We are committed to maintaining a comprehensive fire safety program for all members of the Adelphi community with the assistance of the Garden City Fire Department, Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention.
Our fire safety program has contributed to what we believe is an excellent record of safety.
| Facility | Chapman Hall | Earle Hall | Eddy Hall | Linen Hall | Residence Hall A | Residence Hall B | Waldo Hall |
| Sprinkler/Standpipe System (Full) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smoke Detection System with Automatic Alerting (To Public Safety and Local Fire Department) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Carbon Monoxide Detection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fire Extinguishers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency Lights | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Evacuations Plans and Placards | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of Evacuation (Fire) Drills Each Calendar Year | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Fire and life safety programs must receive community-wide support in order to be effective.
Fire Drills
Cooperation from all students at fire drills, announced and unannounced, is expected. Students who do not vacate in a timely manner are subject to disciplinary action. There are a minimum of four fire drills conducted in each of the residence halls each year. Two drills are conducted in the evening, and two are conducted during the day.
Fire Safety Violations and Disciplinary Actions
When a student is found to be responsible for fire safety violations, the following are typical sanctions. Depending on the circumstances of the specific case, the person hearing body imposing the sanctions may impose additional or more severe sanctions.
Disciplinary Action: Careless or Reckless: $100 fine, restitution for property damage, and one year University disciplinary probation, and residence hall probation for a resident student.
Disciplinary Action: Intentional (Arson): Referral to police/fire authorities for prosecution, restitution for property damage, and expulsion from the University
Disciplinary Action: Referral to police/fire authorities for prosecution, $250 fine, and one year suspension from the University
Disciplinary Action: Careless or Reckless: $100 fine
Disciplinary Action: Intentional: Referral to police/fire authorities for prosecution, $250 fine, and one year suspension from the University.
Disciplinary Action: Careless or Reckless: $100 and restitution for property damage.
Disciplinary Action: Intentional: Referral to police/fire authorities for prosecution, $250 fine, restitution for property damage, and one year suspension from the University.
Disciplinary Action: $250 fine, restitution for property damage, and one year University disciplinary probation (and residential hall probation for a resident student).
Disciplinary Action: First Offense: $100 fine.
Disciplinary Action: Second Offense: $200 fine, seven day suspension from the residence halls and residential hall probation (if resident student).
Disciplinary Action: Third Offense: Permanent removal from housing (if a resident student) and possible suspension from the University.
Fire Violations Notes
In New York State, knowingly filing a false fire alarm is a felony punishable by a minimum of one year in prison.
As per University practice, students arrested on the complaint of the University shall be placed under Emergency Suspension pending the outcome of the case. Repeated fire safety violations will result in harsher sanctions, which may include suspension or expulsion from the University.
The University may terminate a student’s Residence Hall Agreement at any time for violation of the University’s policies concerning student conduct and discipline, regulations governing the residence halls, non-payment, or for health, safety, or social reasons.
Fire Escape Plans
In the event of a fire, remember—time is the biggest enemy and every second counts! Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames.
Practice Escaping From Every Room In The Home
Practice escape plans every month. The best plans have two ways to get out of each room. If the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out.
A secondary route might be a window onto an adjacent roof or a collapsible ladder—evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories—for escape from upper story windows. Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened. Also, practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
Fire Prevention
Annual observances like National Fire Prevention Week in October are excellent opportunities to focus on fire hazards, but we should practice fire safety every day—at work, at play, and particularly at home.
Top Fire Hazards
- Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries
- Smoking is a leading cause of civilian home fire deaths.
- Heating is the second leading cause of home fires, fire deaths and fire injuries.
- Electrical failures or malfunctions are factors in roughly 50,000 reported fires each year.
- About 60% of home fire deaths result from fires in homes/buildings with no functioning smoke alarms.
Fires resulting from cooking continue to be the most common type of fire experienced by U.S. households. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of civilian fire injuries in residences. These fires are preventable by simply being more attentive to the use of cooking materials and equipment.
- Never leave boiling, frying, or broiling food unattended. Stay in the kitchen! If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- Regularly check food that is cooking; use a timer to remind yourself that you are cooking.
- Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains—away from your stovetop.
- Keep the stovetop, burners, and oven clean.
- Wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and can catch fire if it comes in contact with a gas flame or electric burner.
- Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
- Always use cooking equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions and code requirements when installing, cleaning, and operating cooking equipment.
- Plug microwave ovens or other cooking appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for cooking appliances as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.
- Check electrical cords for cracks, breaks or damage.
Every year almost 1,000 smokers and non-smokers are killed in home fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials. The U.S. Fire Administration is working to help prevent home fire deaths and injuries caused by smoking materials. You can make a difference!
- If you smoke, smoke outside.
- Wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
- Make sure cigarettes and ashes are out.
- Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away.
- Check for cigarette butts in furniture or on the floor.
- Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used.
- If you smoke, fire-safe cigarettes are better.
- Be alert!
Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 418 Americans each year and injure 1,570 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits.
- Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
- Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.
- Use electrical extension cords wisely and don’t overload them.
- Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
- When buying electrical appliances look for products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such and Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL).
- Don’t allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers.
- Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.
- If an appliance has a three-prong plug, only use it in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
- Never overload extension cords or wall sockets.
- Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.
- Use safety closures to “child-proof” electrical outlets.
- Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear.
Please help all the first responders and building evacuation wardens. Leave as soon as you hear the alarm. If you are the last one out of your room close the door and windows if possible. If you are interested in becoming an Evacuation Warden please contact Lieutenant James Smith of Public Safety at 516.877.3437.