By: Jim Patton, Fire Prevention Officer, Corvallis Fire Department
So, you son or daughter is headed off to college! By now, together, you have made several decisions pertaining to their next four or so years; which college to attend, what degree program to pursue, how you will fund this pursuit, how they will pay for food, and last but not least – where your student will live while they are away at college. With so many decisions to make it is not surprising very few parents and students consider fire safety as it applies to where their son or daughter will be living while away from home, often for the first time. While you can be comforted in the knowledge that the Corvallis Fire Department (CFD) works tirelessly to require local housing units meet current fire and safety codes it is vital that both parents AND students be actively involved in first choosing a place that meets current safety standards and then remaining vigilant throughout the academic year ensuring their place is kept safe at all times.
As you are no doubt aware by now there are a number of housing accommodations available in and around the Oregon State University (OSU) campus. Here is a breakdown of those housing types and a description of how they are maintained and what you might look out for as you consider where your student might be living:
ON CAMPUS RESIDENT HALLS & CO-OP'S – These fairly modern facilities are from two to seven stories tall with mostly individual student rooms for one to four students. They are maintained by a full time professional maintenance staff through the Housing & Dining Services - Residential Maintenance Facility. All are equipped with some level of fire alarm system and some of the halls and co-op's are equipped with fire sprinkler systems, but not all. Most of the resident rooms have “hardwired” smoke detectors in their sleeping rooms but some rooms are only equipped with battery powered smoke alarms (with long life batteries and temporary hush button). These facilities are managed on-site by a professional Hall Director and student Residential Advisors. Fire safety training and fire drills occur throughout the year. CFD inspects these occupancies every year.
OFF-CAMPUS FRATERNITIES, SORORITIES, AND PRIVATE CO-OP'S – There are approximately 39 “Greek” houses and five private Co-op's near the OSU campus. These facilities range from less than 30 years old to close to 100 years old. They are maintained by the student residents in coordination with the Housing Corporation Board. Some houses arrange for all interior maintenance by themselves while others houses receive substantial alumni support coordinating maintenance. All houses have some level of fire alarm system but only about 45% are equipped with a full fire sprinkler system. Most of the residents of these houses sleep on a “sleeping porch” which are one or more rooms dedicated for sleeping purposes only. These rooms are equipped with smoke detection and secondary means of escape. Most houses are managed by a Resident Advisor (which is an adult non undergraduate student) and in-house officers. Fire safety training is required and quarterly fire drills are conducted. The CFD inspects these occupancies once and sometimes twice a year.
APARTMENT COMPLEXES – These are large multi-unit facilities and range in age from new to 40-50 years old. They are typically managed by an on-site (often student) manager or a professional management company. Many facilities have some level of fire alarm system but only a select few have an installed fire sprinkler system, though most of the newer units over three stories are equipped with sprinklers. The smoke detectors in these facilities are either “hardwired” or battery powered. If solely battery powered they are required to be equipped with a long life battery and a nuisance hush button, if “hardwired” they have to have a regular battery backup and a hush button. Maintenance is usually completed by the owner, a hired craftsperson, or a professional contractor. One thing that is important to remember is that any room that has been rented for sleeping shall have an emergency escape window that leads directly to the outside that is accessible, operable and large enough for the resident to escape through. Fire safety training and fire drills are not required. CFD attempts to inspect these occupancies annually.
APARTMENT HOUSES – These are typically large older houses that were converted to apartments many years ago. Some are equipped with a minimal fire alarm system but very few have fire sprinklers installed. They are typically managed by a property manager or private individual. They are typically equipped with battery powered smoke alarms only and are located inside the units. Maintenance is usually completed by the owner, a hired craftsperson, or a professional contractor. Similar to apartment complexes rooms that has been rented for sleeping shall have an emergency escape window that leads directly to the outside that is accessible, operable and large enough for the resident to escape. Fire safety training and fire drills are not required. CFD attempts to inspect these occupancies annually.
RENTAL HOUSES - There is a large variety of rental houses in Corvallis . Most are equipped with minimal smoke alarms, only some may be hardwired while most tend to be battery powered. Again, like apartment complexes rooms that has been rented for sleeping shall have an emergency escape window that leads directly to the outside that is accessible, operable and large enough for the resident to escape. Fire safety training and fire drills are not required. CFD does not inspect single family rental houses or duplexes.
Before your son or daughter signs a rental agreement here are a few very important fire safety features to consider:
• Working smoke alarms outside EVERY sleeping area of the house (equipped with long life batteries and hush feature). You should also install one inside every sleeping room as well – you can always take it with you when you leave (if you installed it). At around $10 per alarm it's cheap protection. NOTE: If your smoke alarm ever stops working and you attempted to replace the battery and it still didn't work call your landlord then follow up with written notice. They have 10 days from written notice to repair/replace the smoke alarm.
• Ensure an appropriate escape window is provided, operable, and reachable in every bedroom. Ensure your son or daughter can get to the window, open it, get out of it, and get away from the house once outside.
• Electrical and heating systems appear in good condition and operate properly without arcing, sparking, overheating, or tripping circuits.
• Exitways are accessible and functioning and properly marked.
• Ensure fire extinguishers are provided and appear serviceable and you know how & when to use them
For more fire safety tips for residential occupancies please checkout of web site Corvallis Fire Department - College Fire Safety
The City of Corvallis has adopted a rental code that is designed to ensure basic utilities and safety is provided to renters. If a student has any issues they are not able to resolve with their landlord they can call (541) 766-6944 to seek information on tenant rights and responsibilities. They can also contact the ASOSU Legal Advising Office at (541) 737-4165 who may be able to assist with resolution or legal advice.
While OSU Housing & Dining Service, the fraternity or sorority, apartment or rental house landlord is expected to provide your student with a suitable and safe facility in which to live ultimately your son or daughter is responsible for their own safety and must take it seriously at all times. Don't accept an unsafe condition for any length of time. If you can't resole it with the appropriate party then contact someone who can immediately.
If you are not able to check out your sons or daughters place personally please give me a call at the Corvallis Fire Department and upon your invitation we can come out and walk through the place with your student. We also have some outstanding fire safety materials we would be happy to send to your son or daughter just give me a call or send me an Email with a name and address and I will mail the appropriate material to them the same day.
College life can be challenging enough without having to worry about fire safety on top of everything else. At the time of writing this letter to you I am also completing a fire report of a fire in a student rental house that occurred over the weekend. Fortunately the fire which started in an upstairs bedroom and was caused by intentional careless discarding of smoking material, was discovered early on and did not cause significant damage or any injury, but had it occurred a few hours later it could have been a different story as there were ‘NO” working smoke alarms on the second floor where some of the students slept. Add that to the three other student resident fires we have experienced this academic year and you really have to ask yourself, “What If”? And let us help!
Jim Patton is the Fire Prevention Officer for the Corvallis Fire Department. He can be reached at (541) 766-6903 or jim.patton@ci.corvallis.or.us
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