Sprinklers In All Residence Halls Protect Students
09/19/2008 7:59 am
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Housing for all of Penn State's on-campus residents is safer than ever. Sprinkler systems have been installed in 53 residence halls and 360 apartments at University Park and all of the residence halls (54 total) at all other Penn State campuses with on-campus housing.
"This is a very effective life-safety device that works in conjunction with smoke detectors," said Steve Triebold, Environment and Health Safety program manager for fire prevention and protection. "The sprinklers, which are in all the rooms, corridors and common-use rooms, will suppress or hold in check a fire so it doesn't get any bigger."
According to Conal Carr, director of housing at University Park, several years ago Penn State began installing sprinkler systems in all new buildings on campus and in residence halls that were being renovated. In 2000, after a fire in a residence hall at Seton Hall University killed three students and injured 58 more, Carr said Penn State moved to ensure every residence hall had a sprinkler system in place.”
The self-imposed deadline for the project was set for 2010 but was completed earlier this year. Most of the work was done during summer breaks when the designated halls could be vacated. The last residence halls completed were in South Halls on West College Avenue. Carr said the installation wasn't as invasive structurally as one might think — drilling holes from bedroom to bedroom to insert the sprinklers, then adding a main system in the building's basement or outside the building — but the initiative still involved a lot of work, since thousands of sprinkler heads needed to be positioned.
Common causes for fires in residence halls include unattended cooking and overuse of electrical cords and appliances, as well as smoking and use of open-flame materials (candles/incense), both of which are prohibited. At University Park, the sprinkler system already has proven to be effective. In one residence hall, a hair dryer malfunctioned, igniting a sweater when the owner put the dryer down and left the room. Damage was limited to a dresser and a couple of sweaters, thanks to the sprinkler system. Sprinklers also stopped a fire that began on a stovetop, and a single sprinkler head extinguished an arson fire in one hall. Triebold said each sprinkler head is thermally activated at a temperature of 155 degrees, so the entire system will not be triggered at the same time.
In addition to sprinklers and smoke detectors in place in all residence halls, Penn State has a strict ban on smoking, candle or incense burning or the use of halogen floor lamps in any University building. Resident assistants and other housing personnel are trained to inspect rooms for any of these items. Live trees are never permitted in residence halls, even during the holiday season, and decorative lights must meet UL standards and be in good condition.
"This was a good goal for us," Carr said. "It was a great amount of work but it is really worth the outcome of saving lives and minimizing damage."
Source - PSU Live
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