Rice University
2011-2012 Fire Safety Report
for the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008

This report contains the information outlined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) for Fire Safety Reporting for on-campus student housing facilities at Rice University. The Environmental Health and Safety Department of Rice University has created this report from information received from the Housing Department and documented fire reporting from the Rice University Police Department.

Fire Statistics and Fire Log

The Rice University Environmental Safety Department maintains the university fire alarm log in conjunction with the Rice University Police Department on all statistics on fires and related injuries, death and loss in campus housing as defined by the HEOA of 2008. For the calendar year 2010 there were no reportable fires within campus housing.

2010
No reportable fires

Fire Detection and Suppression Systems

All on-campus housing facilities have fully functional, addressable fire detection systems complete with smoke detection, audible alarms and pull stations. In addition, all on-campus residential facilities have 100 percent fire sprinkler protection throughout the building. All of the fire alarm and fire suppression systems are networked and monitored by the Rice
University Police Department at their dispatch location, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All fire detection and suppression systems have an annual and semiannual inspection as required by the city of Houston Fire Department. Systems are maintained by a fire alarm company as directed by Rice University Housing and the Environmental Health and Safety Department.

Fire Drills

Mandatory, supervised fire drills are conducted once a semester in the fall and spring by the Rice University Housing staff in conjunction with the student maintenance staff and the Rice University Police Department. Fire drills are conducted in the evening hours after dinner. A check list of items is reviewed by the student maintenance staff conducting the drills and forwarded to the Housing Department for review. Any deficiencies in equipment are corrected immediately and any misconduct by the students is directed to the residential College Board. All students must participate in the fire drills.
Fire Drills were conducted on the following dates:

 

Campus Policies on Appliances

One 3.6-cubic-foot or smaller refrigerator is permitted in your room. You may also use any desired audio/visual or desktop computer equipment. Toaster ovens and other heating appliances will overload circuits and are a fire risk, as are ceiling fans or any appliance requiring modification of electrical fixtures. These items are not allowed. For cooking
needs, each college has the convenience of fully equipped kitchenettes.

\Please do not use halogen lamps. While these lamps may provide bright light, they do so at the expense of great energy and dangerous heat near 1100-degrees Fahrenheit. These types of lamps are a proven fire hazard and may constitute a finable offense if used in campus housing.

Open Flame Policy

Do not use candles. An open flame is prohibited in all residential colleges. These will set off fire alarms and are extremely hazardous if left unattended.

Smoking Policy

To provide a healthy and safe environment across campus, Rice implemented a nonsmoking
policy. The policy prohibits smoking inside any building or vehicle owned or leased by the
university and at any open-air athletic and recreational facility at Rice.
Smoking is prohibited in:

• All academic areas, including classrooms, lectures halls, libraries, seminar rooms,
  clinical rooms, computing facilities, research laboratories and individual faculty
  offices;
  
• All common/public areas, including conference rooms, auditoriums, exhibition areas,
  indoor athletic facilities, theaters, food service areas, waiting rooms, retail service areas,
  lounges, hallways, stairwells, elevators, lobbies, waiting rooms, locker rooms, restrooms,
  office reception areas and customer service areas;
  
• All offices, including faculty and staff offices and offices of student organizations;
  
• Student housing and dining areas, including bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, common
  areas, kitchens, dining halls, elevators, stairwells, balconies and exterior corridors;
  
• Every university-owned or university-leased motor vehicle;
  
• Every outdoor area in which smoking would present a fire or safety risk;
  
• Every outdoor stadium or event area;
  
• Within 25 feet of an entryway, exit or wheelchair ramp serving any entry or exit;
  
• Within 25 feet of a building’s outdoor air intake or operable windows.

If a university facility designates an outdoor smoking area, smoking near that building may take place only within that area. Each residential college may establish its own outdoor designated smoking area as long as it does not conflict with the prohibited areas described in Rice’s policy. Anyone who uses a permissible smoking area should ensure that cigarette butts and other smoking materials and trash are placed in appropriate containers to avoid littering the campus.

Smoking is permitted by artists and actors who participate in authorized performances that require smoking as an integral part of an artistic production. We hope compliance issues with the nonsmoking policy can be resolved informally
through discussion and education. Repeated violations of the policy could result in disciplinary action.

Noncompliance issues involving staff should be brought to the attention of the person’s supervisor and, if necessary, Human Resources, if the matter cannot be resolved informally. Similarly, faculty noncompliance should be reported to the department chair or dean. Student-raised issues within residential colleges should be brought to the attention of the college master or judicial committee. Other student issues that cannot be resolved informally should be referred to the associate dean of student judicial programs. Graduate students living in Rice graduate residences should address issues in accordance with the policies of their residences. Noncompliance involving visitors to campus that cannot be resolved informally should be referred to the Rice University Police Department.

Procedures for Evacuating Student Housing

During Freshman Orientation Week and throughout the year, students receive instruction on evacuation from their room and location of meeting points throughout the campus. Evacuation maps are located near elevators and/or stairwells throughout the building. Each dorm has at least two resident associates and one college master living on-site to ensure a swift and complete evacuation. A list of Students with Physical Disabilities is maintained by the college master.

Fire Safety Education and Training Programs

All Rice University police, housing maintenance staff and Environmental Safety personnel are trained in emergency response, fire safety and evacuation procedures.

Protocols and information about residential fire safety is listed on the Rice University website at http://safety.rice.edu/college%20fire%20safety.htm.

All fire alarm panels at Rice University are monitored 24 hours a day by the Rice University police dispatcher. Upon activation of any trouble or alarm in any building, the Rice University police officers are notified by radio to respond. Students are advised not to re-enter the building until the all clear has been given by Rice University police or the Houston Fire Department.

Rice University police are state-commissioned peace officers who routinely take continuing education programs in the areas of Fire Safety and Emergency Response. Environmental Health and Safety Department Staff is also trained in fire safety response and recovery.

Students are advised to call RUPD at 713-348-6000 to report an alarm or any situation that could potentially become a hazard, fire situation or an emergency. Any unsafe condition should be reported to the Rice University Housing and Dining office by phone or through the student work order process.

Plans for Future Improvements in Fire Safety

In summer 2010, all of the residential college fire alarm panels were upgraded with new panels and software. Educational classes in fire safety and emergency response for the students are continually evaluated. This year’s evaluations will be reviewed and the training modified based on comments received.