Annual Security Report
Division of Student Affairs
College of Charleston
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424
office (843) 953-5522
fax (843) 953-5403
StudentAffairs@cofc.edu
Office Hours: 8:30am - 5pm, Monday - Friday
Fire Safety Report 2008
In compliance with new amendments to the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the fire report that follows highlights fire safety information. Included in this report are policies and programs that promote fire safety, information on types of fire safety systems for each on-campus student housing facility, the numbers of fire drills conducted throughout the year, and statistics that represent the number of fires, the cause of each fire, any deaths or the number of injuries requiring medical treatment, and the value of property damage related to any on-campus fire.
While fire safety is the responsibility of each of us as members of the campus community, the oversight of fire prevention rests with the Department of Public Safety comprised of Campus Police and Fire and EMS. The Department of Public Safety is located at 81B St. Philip Street, Charleston, SC 29424.
The Director of Fire and EMS is designated as the College Fire Marshal and coordinates all fire safety activities at the College in conjunction with the City of Charleston Fire Department. Within the scope of responsibilities, the Director routinely conducts fire/safety inspections of all facilities and equipment, initiates fire drills, handles all fire-related investigations and reports, coordinates ongoing training/certification efforts for division staff members, collaborates with community and state emergency management teams, and makes recommendations concerning improvements in fire safety to appropriate administrative representatives.
The College of Charleston has the largest token ring addressable fire alarm network on the east coast. This system provides immediate identification of the specific location of activated alarms and is also capable of identifying problems with alarm equipment or tampering with devices.
Educational sessions for all residence hall assistants are held prior to fall semester. These sessions focus on procedures for building evacuation and the proper operation of fire extinguishers. A fire simulation exercise is conducted as part of training to provide exposure to the dynamics involved in a fire and to evaluate the proficiency of all involved.
Fire safety is promoted during new student orientation sessions. In accordance with National Fire Protection Association requirements, four fire drills are held throughout the academic year. The first fire drill is scheduled early in the fall semester to acquaint new residents with the sound of the building alarm and evacuation procedures. A follow-up mandatory hall meeting with students is held the following evening after the initial drill to critique the results of the drill, present fire safety tips (ex., how to use a fire extinguisher), review evacuation procedures, and to explain the importance of complying with these procedures.
POLICIES WITHIN THE RESIDENCE HALLS
To report a fire call 953-5611 immediately. The dispatcher who answers your call is trained in handling emergencies.
Each time a fire alarm sounds, it is mandatory for all students and guests to evacuate the building. Residents who remain in the building during a fire alarm will be subject to disciplinary action. Once evacuated, residents must remain outside until the building at their designated assembly sites until re-entry to the building has been cleared by City of Charleston Fire Department officials.
Assembly Sites: These locations are provided for your safety and to allow the Fire Department personnel adequate access to the building. When an alarm sounds, students must assemble in the following areas:
Berry: Across St. Philip Street in front of the Bell Building parking lot.
Buist/Rutledge Rivers:
R. S. Small Library side exit - Intersection of College Promenade Greenway
Coming Street side exit - Grassy area of the horseshoe parking lot near Coming St.
Hawkins Lounge side exit - Intersection of College Promenade and Greenway
College Lodge: On sidewalk on the side of the building move down to
King or St. Philip Streets.Craig: Exit the hall and walk down the sidewalk to the front of the education center
George Street: Across George Street to the parking lot.
Historic Houses: Across the street from the house.
Kelly House: Across St. Philip Street in the Charleston Water Systems parking lot.
Liberty Street: Across Liberty St., down St. Philip St. toward the Education Building.
McAlister: Across St. Philip Street in front of the parking garage.
McConnell: “P” Parking Lot behind Fraternity Row.
1 Warren Place: Across the street in front of 10 Warren Place.
10 and 20 Warren Place: At the far side of the parking lot.
No items are to be hung from or placed over smoke detectors or sprinklers or placed over lighting fixtures within any building. Students are prohibited from tampering with any barrier (including but not limited to all locks, gates, doors, barricades, chains, enclosures, signs, tags or seals) installed by or under direction of fire officials. Students found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.
Fire safety equipment, including smoke alarms, are provided in each room and are maintained regularly by Fire and EMS. An intermittent beep from a smoke detector should be reported to Fire and EMS at 953-5499 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, or to Campus Police at 953-5611 after hours and on weekends. Do not remove batteries or attempt to change batteries.
Anyone found guilty of tampering with or damaging fire and safety equipment is subject to judicial action. Sanctions may involve monetary fines, community service, and, in more severe cases, suspension from residential facilities.
Cooking/Cooking Appliances
Residents are required to remain in the room when using a stove or oven in a common kitchen. Certain cooking appliances are prohibited in the residence halls due to the fire hazard threat they pose. These include coffee makers without an automatic shut off switch, any open-coil heating appliance (such as a toaster), electric griddles, Foreman-type grills and waffle makers. Residents in upperclassman housing with a full kitchen may have a toaster or Foreman-type grill provided the item remains in the kitchen. To determine whether a certain appliance is authorized, contact a Residence Life staff member.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted inside any residence hall or historic house at the College of Charleston. Smoking is also prohibited within 25 feet of a building entrance. Faculty, staff and students who wish to smoke may do so outside at the designated smoking areas where proper ash receptacles exist. Smokers must properly dispose of cigarette/cigar remains in designated receptacles. Designated smoking areas can be found in the Kelly House courtyard, McAlister courtyard, McConnell courtyard, and the College Lodge parking deck.
ITEMS NOT ALLOWED IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS
(listed at http://reslife.cofc.edu/?page=movein)
Automatic drip coffee makers
Candles/incense – nothing with an open flame
Cappuccino/Expresso machines
Cooking appliances/machines with open coils
Electric blankets
Explosives/fireworks
Extension cords
Grills (charcoal, propane, George Foreman-type)
Halogen lamps
Heating pads
Hot plates
Incense and incense burners
Lighter fluid or other combustible items
Multi-plug outlet (without surge protector)
Open coil water/coffee warmers
Space heaters
Toaster/toaster ovens
FIRE LOG
A fire log for the most recent sixty-day period is available for public inspection, upon request, during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at 81B St. Philip Street, Charleston, SC 29424. Two business days are required for a request for any portion of the log older than sixty days.
See attached charts:
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND LIFE SAFETY MATRIX in the attached charts:
Fire Protection Equiment and Life Safety Matrix (pdf)
Fire Statistics 2008 (pdf)
