What is a Dormitory or Residence Hall?
The terms “Dormitory” and “Residence Hall” are used interchangeably. In the college campus setting, both are on-campus multistory facilities that house sleeping and living quarters for large numbers of people; they are usually divided into many individual rooms or suites. Most dorm environments are a unique combination of living and sleeping space, and many contain common area kitchens, restrooms, and showers. While many of the fire hazards and risks found in dormitories are the same as those in off-campus housing, there are important and very different fire safety issues unique to these structures.
These institutional structures are unique. Why? Because hundreds of students can reside in a single dormitory while attending university, and all college dormitory residents are students, except for supervisors or employees of the institution. Moreover, dormitory occupants are typically inexperienced at living away from home, are on their own for the first time, and pose an increased risk of youthful indiscretions and mistakes. With so many young students under one roof, fire safety knowledge and preparation are even more important because one person’s actions or failure to act can impact the lives of many other people. If just one student does something wrong it can spell disaster for everyone in the structure, and if just one student does something right it can save many lives and prevent disaster.
University Fire Safety Rules – When occupying an on-campus university-owned dormitory, students must pay close attention to, understand, and abide by the university’s fire safety rules issued for that facility. Safety and occupancy rules vary from one university to another, and may vary from one dormitory to another. It is incumbent on, and NIFAST strongly encourages, students to seek site-specific fire safety information and policy from the dormitory’s Resident Advisor, Campus Fires Safety Officials, or other supervisory university staff, and to ensure their own familiarity with that policy and information.
NIFAST standards and this course deliver practical fire safety rules and procedures, and default to the safest and most effective fire safety guidelines and practices. They are designed to supplement, not replace, university fire safety instructions and policy. Where differences exist between this course material and University fire-safety policy, rules, or instructions, students must at minimum comply with the university’s requirements. Where this NIFAST course material refers to individual University policy or practice, students have a duty to review and clarify the matter with their RA or the Campus Safety Director.
Pro-active students who abide by safe fire prevention practices significantly increase their fire safety profile.
Terry Flanagan – NIFAST Director of Education and Certification
images: Trinity University and Lander University
