Dormitory Fires and High-Rise Evacuations¶

Student residence halls present high fire risks due to dense occupancy, cooking appliances, overloaded electrical outlets, and delayed response to building fire alarms. Knowing evacuation routes and fire survival tactics keeps students safe.

Evacuating a Dormitory During a Fire Alarm¶

1. Treat Every Alarm as a Real Emergency: Never assume a fire alarm is a false alarm or drill. Evacuate the building immediately.
2. Feel Doors Before Opening: Touch the door panel and doorknob with the back of your hand. If hot, do not open the door. Smoke and heat are present in the hallway.
3. Crawl Low Under Smoke: If smoke fills the hallway, crawl on your hands and knees where air is cleaner and cooler. Cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth.
4. Use Emergency Stairwells Only: Never use elevators during a fire evacuation. Elevators can lose electrical power or open on fire-affected floors.

If Trapped Inside Your Dorm Room¶

• Seal cracks around the room door and ventilation ducts using wet towels, bedsheets, or clothing.
• Open room windows slightly at the top and bottom to let fresh air in unless heavy smoke is entering from outside.
• Wave a bright cloth, towel, or flashlight out the window to signal your location to arriving fire department rescue crews.
• Call emergency services (911 in the United States) and report your exact building name, floor number, and dorm room number.

Common Dormitory Fire Hazards to Avoid¶

• Do not use unauthorized high-wattage hotplates, space heaters, or halogen lamps in dorm rooms.
• Avoid daisy-chaining multiple power strips or extension cords together, which causes electrical circuit overheating.
• Keep wall decorations, posters, and tapestries clear of electrical outlets, radiators, and ceiling sprinkler heads.