Chapter House

1
Chapter House Fire Safety

• The chapter house is extremely important when
  developing your chapter risk management program.
  (Even if your chapter does not have a chapter
  house you should still review this session for
  safety tips that you can apply to your own
  residence.)

2
General Safety Guidelines

• Reduce the likelihood of unsafe acts occurring in
  the chapter house by
• Following alcohol guidelines.
• Eliminating hazing.
• Prohibiting horseplay and dangerous activities in
  the house.
• Promoting pride, care and respect for the chapter
  house.

3
General Safety Guidelines

• Reduce Unsafe Conditions by
• Keep the house clean, well maintained and
  sanitary.
• Prohibit tampering with fire safety equipment.
• Have proper lighting and emergency lights.
• Develop and implement emergency plans and drills.
• Make sure you are in compliance with all
  electrical, health and fire codes.
• Identify and do not exceed room capacity.
• Maintain all heating and cooling units.

4

• Properly dispose of all trash and other waste.
• Maintain floors, stairways and railings.
• Do not allow members out on roofs or balconies.
• Ensure that plumbing and electrical facilities
  function and are used correctly.
• Inspect and spray for insects and rodents. Keep
  your house clean and empty trash regularly.
• Be prepared for natural disasters such as floods,
  tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes.
• Encourage members to learn first aid and CPR.
• Post emergency numbers by all phones.
• Prohibit firearms, weapons and other dangerous
  equipment on chapter property.

5
Falls from Roofs Windows Ledges

• Every chapter should implement specific rules
  eliminating access to roofs and other hazardous
  areas at all times and especially during social
  events.
• Each year fraternities, including Phi Sigma
  Kappa, experience numerous incidents where
  individuals fall from rooftops or windows.
• Many of these accidents result in death or
  serious injury.

6
Fire Prevention

• The risk management chair should inspect the
  house and individual rooms on a regular basis for
  fire hazards.
• Correct any fire hazards immediately.
• Request that a fire department officer inspect
  the property.
• Impose stiff fines for tampering with smoke
  detectors or fire extinguishers.
• Prohibit open flames, such as candles in the
  house.
• Prohibit smoking in the house.
• Sleep with bedroom doors closed.

7
Smoke Detectors Sprinklers

• Install smoke detectors (preferably hard wired)
  and check them frequently.
• Hard wired smoke detectors are hooked directly
  into the electrical lines and depend on a battery
  only as a back up making it less likely they will
  fail because someone hasnt been testing the
  battery.
• While installation of a sprinkler system is very
  costly, it is becoming required by universities
  and local laws and has proven to save lives. If
  you do not have one discuss it with your alumni
  housing corporation.
• Having a sprinkler system installed will reduce
  both your property and liability insurance
  premium.

8
Fire Extinguishers

• Fire extinguishers of the correct size and type
  should be strategically located throughout the
  house.
• All members should know where they are and how to
  use them. You may think its obvious but many
  people have never taken a minute to read the
  instructions. You wouldnt want to be doing that
  while there is an out of control fire burning.
• The risk management chair should take this time
  explain where all fire extinguishers are and
  explain how to operate one (please, no live
  examples).

9
Fire Prevention at Social Events

• Make sure decorations are non-flammable.
• Never block exits.
• Clean up and remove decorations immediately after
  a party.
• Check for cigarette butts behind and in couches
  and chairs.
• It is recommended that smoking be prohibited
  outright, but you should check the furniture
  regardless after an event.

10
Fire Prevention is Everyones Responsibility

• While the risk manager should be doing routine
  inspections of the chapter house, fire safety is
  the responsibility of every member.
• Review the following checklist, if you know of or
  find anything that could be a fire hazard report
  it to the risk manager and chapter president
  immediately.

11
Fire Prevention Checklist

• All exits are clear of obstacles, well lit and
  can be easily opened.
• Extinguishers, sprinklers, kitchen hoods are
  maintained and inspected.
• Fire alarms and smoke alarms are working.
• Emergency lights are tested and functioning.
• Overloaded outlets and extension cords are
  eliminated.

• Heating plant is separated by the rest of the
  building by firewalls.
• Trash is emptied and removed.
• Lint trap in clothes dryer is cleaned.
• Appliances such as hotplates, microwaves and
  coffee makers at not allowed in bedrooms.
• There is no exposed wiring in the chapter house.

12
Emergency Evacuation Planning

• While we hope that you never have to deal with a
  fire, you should be prepared for it.
• Injury and death resulting from panic and
  confusion often exceed the casualties resulting
  from the fire itself.
• An evacuation plan helps avoid panic by creating
  an organized approach.

13
Keys to a Good Evacuation Plan

• Identify a central meeting place outside and make
  sure everyone is accounted for.
• Determine who will contact emergency help and who
  will account for everyone outside.
• Never go back into the building. If someone is
  missing, alert the fire department.
• Emphasize orderly evacuation.
• Demand full participation in drills and perform
  them at unexpected times.

14
Develop an Evacuation Document

• A clear birds-eye diagram with exits marked for
  each floor.
• Should be posted throughout the chapter house and
  should indicate present location at each posting,
  i.e. You are Here.
• Primary and secondary escape routes are clearly
  marked.
• Show location of fire alarms, fire extinguishers,
  sprinkler connections, etc.
• Note where people should gather to be accounted
  for.

15
An Example Evacuation Plan

• The risk management chair will now distribute and
  explain an evacuation plan for you chapter house.
• The evacuation plan will also be posted
  throughout the chapter house.

16
Tips for Surviving a Fire

• Before a Fire
• Know your possible escape routes.
• Count the doorways and other fixtures between
  your room and the exit.
• Know where the nearest fire alarm and
  extinguisher are.
• Keep a flashlight in your room to help see in
  smoke or darkness.

17

• During a Fire Getting out of your room
• Get to the door, if there is smoke in the room
  crawl to avoid smoke inhalation.
• Feel the door knob, if it is hot dont open it.
  If it is not hot open cautiously. Be prepared to
  slam the door shut.
• Check the hallway, if it is clear, go to the
  nearest exit, close the door to your room to
  protect belongings and prevent drafts.
• If there is smoke in the hallway crawl to the
  exit. Stay close to the wall and count doorways.
• Walk down to the ground level, if smoke or fire
  is dense at lower levels go up to clear air or
  the roof if necessary.

18

• During a Fire Staying in your room (if the door
  is hot)
• If there is smoke open the window to vent the
  room. If you are on the 1st or 2nd floor you may
  be able to drop to the ground safely. If you are
  higher (35 feet or more) it is advised to stay
  put. Do not jump unless it is your last resort.
• If your phone works call for help. Hang a bed
  sheet out the window to alert firefighters.
• If you have a sink, fill it with water. Wet
  towels and sheets and put them around the door
  cracks to prevent smoke from seeping in.

19
Surviving a Fire

• Remember Few people burn to death in a fire.
  Most casualties are from smoke, poisonous gasses
  and panic. Have an escape plan ready and use it.
  It will greatly increase your chance of survival.

20
Closing the House over Breaks

• Check all doors, windows and locking devices.
• Make sure no outlets are overloaded and potential
  fire hazards are not left unattended.
• Empty Garbage.
• Make sure no combustible items are left in public
  areas.
• Secure valuable property.
• Notify campus police of the dates when the house
  will be closed.
• Residents should unplug all electrical equipment
  (stereos, personal refrigerators, computers,
  etc.)
• During winter, lower the thermostat, but do not
  turn the heat off. If the temperature drops the
  water pipes can burst.
• If the chapter house will remain open over break
  all university and Grand Chapter Policies must be
  followed. The chapter will be held responsible
  for any incidents that take place in a chapter
  house over break.

21
Thank You

• Please contact the Grand Chapter with any
  questions regarding this presentation or other
  risk management questions.
• 888-846-6851