(01/26.07) Safety Alert: Dorm Smoke Detectors

Over winter break, while smoke detector maintenance was being conducted at HCA, it was discovered that 16 smoke detectors were covered or removed. An even more disturbing event occurred in the early morning hours today at Drinker. Discarded smoking material in an unoccupied room caused a small but very smoky trash can fire. The smoke detector in the room where the fire originated was covered with a plastic bag and did not activate. Residents and Safety and Security were notified when enough smoke escaped from the room and activated the hallway smoke detector.

Smoke detectors provide residents with the earliest notification possible in the event of a fire or smoke condition. Disabling smoke detectors slows this notification and puts the lives of you and your fellow students in danger. This action is against College policy and the Haverford Township Fire Code. Most importantly, it is unsafe.

In addition, occupants must leave the building when the fire alarm system is activated. You may not re-enter the building for any reason until you are advised by Safety and Security and/or the police.

The majority of fire related deaths at colleges and universities each year are caused by smoke inhalation while students were sleeping - and not an open flame.

In order to prevent a tragedy, we are asking all students to take a minute and inspect the smoke detectors in their rooms. The detectors should be in place and not covered with any items. The detector can be tested by turning the black switch on the face of the detector to the left. Once the detector activates and the strobe light flashes the test switch can be turned back to the normal position. Replacement detectors and batteries are available from Safety and Security at any time. If you have any questions regarding the operating of your smoke detector or fire safety, please contact me in the Safety and Security Office or at msweeney@haverford.edu.

Thank you.

Mark Sweeney
Safety Coordinator