Campus Safety and Security

Fire Protection/Life Safety Equipment, Design, Installation and Maintenance

Section: Campus Safety and Security Policies
Policy Name: Fire Protection/Life Safety Equipment, Design, Installation and Maintenance
Policy Owner: Executive Vice President
Responsible University Office: Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Origination Date: October 2, 1985
Revisions: May 3, 1989; December 18, 1991; April 1, 1996
Legacy Policy Number: 7-07
  1. PURPOSE 

    To ensure all activities involving fire protection/life safety equipment and systems are conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, local regulations and according to the procedures established by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.

  2. DEFINITIONS 

    Fire Protection/Life Safety Equipment and Systems includes but is not limited to: portable fire extinguishers, fire pumps, and fire/life safety communications equipment.Fire Protection Systems includes but are not limited to: gas/smoke and heat detection systems, sprinkler systems, audible, visible, and voice evacuation systems, automatic extinguishing systems, smoke removal systems, exit systems, and fire lane systems.

    Impairment is defined as an occurrence which may cause a reduced level of operational ability of fire/life safety equipment or systems.

  3. POLICY
    1. New Construction/Renovations

      All new installations of this equipment and systems must be performed in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
    2. Existing buildings

      It is imperative to life safety to have all fire protection/life safety systems and equipment in a ready state to be effective in an emergency. For this reason, the procedures established by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety must be followed whenever a system or this equipment must be taken out of service.
    3. Code Enforcement Consultations

      The Department of Environmental Health and Safety serves as the University liaison between code enforcement officials and the University community for life safety/fire protection issues.
    4. Leased Facilities

      Employees occupying space in leased facilities should be afforded the level of safety provided by the current federal, state and local regulations. Additional information on these topics including the procedures and the involvement of other University departments can be found in the Life Safety/Fire Protection Procedures available from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety at extension 8475.