Fire

Fires

In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a building can be engulfed in flames.

During a Fire or Fire Alarm

If you detect a fire pull the closest fire alarm (located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits), dial 911 and tell the 911 operator the location of the fire. Evacuate the building. If you hear a fire  alarm evacuate immediately to the nearest exit. Use stairs and never use elevators. Notify Campus Security and your Resident Assistant as soon as it is safe to do so.

Your designated College Building Coordinator or Resident Assistant has specific duties and instructions to help you in the evacuation process if there is a fire or fire alarm. Listen to your Building Coordinator and Resident Assistant.

The Hawk Alert Emergency Notification System will be activated, and Campus Security will assist in the evacuation until fire department authorities take over. Move to the designated safe assembly point so that you are not interfering with emergency response personnel.

DESIGNATED SAFE ASSEMBLY POINTS

If you are on the College’s Main campus, after evacuating move to the Top Outdoor Stage located on the Huntingdon Green (the designated safe assembly point) where a head count will be taken if necessary.

If you are on the College’s Cloverdale campus, after evacuating move to the middle of the football field (the designated safe assembly point) where a head count will be taken if necessary.

REMEMBER…

• Crawl low under any smoke to your nearest exit – heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
• Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, or if there is smoke coming around the door, leave the door closed and use your second way out.
• If you open a door, open it slowly. Be ready to shut it quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present.
• If you can’t get to someone needing assistance, leave the residence hall or building and call 9-1-1 or the fire department. Tell the emergency operator where the person is located. Advise Campus Security and your Resident Assistant as soon as possible.
• If you can’t get out, close the door and cover vents and cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep smoke out.  Call 9-1-1, Campus Security or your fire department. Say where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.

• If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll – stop immediately, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands.  Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out.  If you or someone else cannot stop, drop and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or towel.  Use cool water to treat the burn immediately for 3 to 5 minutes.  Cover with a clean, dry cloth.  Get medical help right away by calling 9-1-1, the fire department or Campus Security.

Fire Detection Systems and Alarms

• Huntingdon College uses modern fire detection systems in its’ buildings,residence halls, and off campus Huntingdon residences. The College fire detection systems, in general, use both photoelectric, and ionization smoke detectors, pull stations, horn and strobe notification devices, sprinkler alarm water flow systems, and where applicable carbon monoxide  and heat detectors.
• Fire alarm notification pull stations are located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits of Campus residence halls and buildings.A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly fire.The list below provides a summary of the fire detection systems for the following Huntingdon College facilities:

RESIDENCE HALLS

• Blount Residence Hall, 3025 Bankhead Avenue, Montgomery, has a sprinkler system installed for fire protection. The sprinkler system is inspected quarterly by an outside licensed vendor. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of this residence hall. This residence hall has a total of 4 floors, no basement, and there are fire extinguishers located on each floor. There is a Knox “Key” Box located at the front entrance that can only be opened by the Montgomery Fire Department. Pull stations (located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits) are also located on each floor of this residence hall, and the residence hall is equipped with horn/strobe notification devices. Smoke detectors are present in every room and hallway. The fire control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this residence hall by Campus Security officers and Residential Life staff, and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112). 
• Ligon Residence Hall, 3165 Jim Wilson Loop East, Montgomery is a masonry constructed building equipped with smoke detectors. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of this residence hall. Ligon Hall has a total of three floors with no basement, and there are fire extinguishers located on each floor. Smoke detectors are present in every room and hallway. Pull stations (located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits)are located on each floor of this residence hall, and the residence hall is equipped with horn/strobe notification devices. The fire panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this residence hall by Campus Security officers and Residential Life staff, and all fire drill documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112). 
• Pratt-Hanson Residence Hall, 3130 Jim Wilson Loop West, Montgomery, is a masonry constructed building equipped with a sprinkler system which is inspected quarterly by a licensed The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of this residence hall. Pratt-Hanson has a total of four floors and a basement, but students only reside on the first floor of Pratt-Hanson. Fire extinguishers are present in this building, and smoke detectors are present in every room and hallway. Pull stations (located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits)are located on each floor of this residence hall, and the residence hall is equipped with horn/strobe notification devices. The fire panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this residence hall by Campus Security and Residential Life staff, and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112). 
• Searcy Residence Hall, 3033 Bankhead Avenue, Montgomery, is a masonry constructed building equipped with smoke detectors. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of this residence hall. This residence hall has a total of three floors and a basement, and there are fire extinguishers located on each floor. Pull stations(located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits) are located on each floor of this residence hall, and the residence hall is equipped with horn/strobe notification devices. Smoke detectors are present in every room and hallway. The fire panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this residence hall by Campus Security officers and Residential Life staff, and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112). 

MAIN CAMPUS BUILDINGS

• Bellingrath Hall, 3104 Huntingdon College Drive, Montgomery, is a masonry three story building with a basement and a commercial roof. An elevator runs from the basement to the third floor (note: NEVER use an elevator in a fire or fire alarm) and incorporates auxiliary fire control devices i.e., four shutter doors, smoke doors, six air handler shutdowns and a recall system. A sprinkler water flow system is on each floor and in the basement. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of Bellingrath. Eight analog Smoke detectors, six heat detectors, and nine pull stations (located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits) act as alarm initiating devices. There are six duct smoke detectors that act as alarm supervisory devices, and twelve horn/strobes and twenty-two strobes that act as alarm notification devices. Bellingrath also has one fire alarm system Annunciator. The security system control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this building by Campus Security officers and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112).
• Delchamp’s President’s Home, 3170 Jim Wilson Loop East, Montgomery, is a masonry two story residence with an asphalt shingle roof. Two Smoke detectors act as alarm initiating devices and two sirens act as alarm notification devices in the residence. The security system control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor.
• Flowers Hall and Ligon Chapel, 3022 Huntingdon College Drive, Montgomery, is a three-story masonry building with basement and a commercial roof. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of Flowers Hall and Ligon Chapel. Twenty analog Smoke detectors, five duct smoke detectors, twenty pull stations (located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits), and one water flow alarm switch act as alarm initiating devices. One sprinkler tamper switch acts as an alarm supervisory device.  Six speaker/strobes, fifteen speakers, and twenty-four strobes act as alarm notification devices. Three air handler shutdowns and sixteen smoke door holders act as auxiliary fire control devices. Flowers Hall also has one fire alarm system Annunciator. The security system control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this building by Campus Security officers and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112).
• Trimble Hall, 1241 Woodley Road, Montgomery, is a masonry two story building with a commercial roof. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of Trimble Hall. Twenty-five analog smoke detectors, six pull stations (located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits), three heat detectors, and two duct detectors act as alarm initiating devices. Alarm notification devices include seventeen horn/strobes, and four strobes. Two door lock releases act as auxiliary fire control devices. The security system control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this building by Campus Security officers and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112).
• Sybil Smith Hall, 3105 Huntingdon College Drive, Montgomery, is a masonry two story building with a commercial roof. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of Smith Hall. Two analog smoke detectors, seven pull stations (located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits), sixteen duct detectors, and two water flow alarm switches act as alarm initiating devices. Alarm supervisory devices include two sprinkler tamper switches and two sprinkler backflow preventers. Alarm notification devices include thirty horn/strobes, and eight strobes. Auxiliary fire control devices include two air handler shutdowns. Smith Hall also has one fire alarm system Annunciator. The security system control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this building by Campus Security officers and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112).
• The Wilson Center, 3160 Jim Wilson Loop West, Montgomery, is a masonry two story building with a commercial roof. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of Wilson. Four duct smoke detectors (in the attic), six pull stations (located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits), and three heat detectors act as alarm initiating devices. Alarm notification devices include four horn/strobes, and five strobes.  Auxiliary fire control devices include four air handler shutdowns, sixteen door holders, and one magnetic door lock. The security system control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this building by Campus Security officers and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112).
• Houghton Memorial Library, 3031 Huntingdon College Drive, Montgomery, is a masonry two story building with a commercial roof. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of Houghton. A non-public use elevator runs from the first to the second floor (note: NEVER use an elevator in a fire or fire alarm) and requires a key for its operation. Twenty-three analog/photoelectric smoke detectors, fourteen duct smoke detectors, thirteen heat detectors, and eight pull stations (located in the halls or near stairways and entrances/exits) act as alarm initiating devices. Alarm notification devices include eleven horn/strobes. Fourteen air handler shutdowns act as auxiliary fire control devices. The security system control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this building by Campus Security officers and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112).

CLOVERDALE CAMPUS BUILDINGS

• The Cloverdale Facilities, 1125 E. Fairview Avenue, Montgomery, are a masonry single story building with a commercial roof that include the Leo J. Drum Jr., Theatre, the Alabama Independent School Association offices, and Huntingdon College classrooms. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of the Cloverdale facilities. Nineteen photoelectric smoke detectors, five duct smoke detectors, and twelve pull stations (located in the halls or near entrances/exits) act as alarm initiating devices. Alarm notification devices include thirteen horn/strobes, and six strobes.Cloverdale also has one fire alarm system Annunciator.Auxiliary fire control devices include three air handler shutdowns.The security system control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this building by Campus Security officers and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112).
• The Laurie Jean Weil Center (The Weil Center), 1125 E. Fairview Avenue, Montgomery, is a masonry single story building with a commercialroof. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of the Weil facilities. Eleven photoelectric smoke detectors, three duct smoke detectors, and four pull stations (located in the halls or near entrances/exits) act as alarm initiating devices. Alarm notification devices include five horn/strobes, and three strobes. The Weil center also has one fire alarm system Annunciator. Auxiliary fire control devices include three air handler shutdowns. The security system control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this building by Campus Security officers and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112).
• Pro Impact, 1160 Navarro Avenue, Montgomery, is a masonry single story building with a commercial roof. The Fire Marshall conducts semi-annual inspections of the Pro Impact building. One photoelectric smoke detector, one duct smoke detector, one heat detector and three pull stations (located in the halls or near entrances/exits)act as alarm initiating devices. Alarm notification devices include nine horn/strobes, and two The Pro Impact building also has one fire alarm system Annunciator. Auxiliary fire control devices include one air handler shutdown. The security system control panel is inspected annually by a licensed outside vendor. Monthly fire drills are conducted at this building by Campus Security officers and all documentation is maintained in the Campus Security Office (Wilson 112).

Never disable a smoke alarm – it is a violation of College policy, state law, and can be a deadly mistake. Anyone found to have disabled a fire alarm, tampered with or falsely activating a fire alarm will be held fully accountable and subject to student disciplinary actions or legal process.

Learn About Fires

• Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a building or for it to be engulfed in flames.
• Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin.
• Fire is DARK! Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.
• Fire is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.

Before a Fire

Know your Fire Escape

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so   you and your Huntingdon family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your   residence hall or building quickly.

• Remember, if you detect a fire pull the closest fire alarm,(located in the halls or near entrances/exits), dial 911 and tell the 911 operator the location of the fire. Evacuate the building. If you hear a fire -alarm or observe smoke or fire evacuate immediately to the nearest Use stairs and never use elevators.
• Notify Campus Security and your Resident Assistant as soon as it is safe to do so.
• In addition to the mandatory Campus housing fire drills, consider devising and practicingyour own school fire escape plan. Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

• Find two ways to get out of each room in the event the primary way is blocked by fire  smoke.
• A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring r
•  roof.
• Make sure that windows are not stuck..
• Practice feeling your way out of your  room or building in the dark or with your eyes closed.

Smoke Alarm Safety for People with Access or Functional Needs

• Audible alarms for visually impaired people are used with a small window of silence between each successive cycle so that they can listen to instructions or voices of others.
• Smoke alarms with a flashing strobe light are available for the hearing impaired. Contact your Office for Student Development, or resident assistant, for information about obtaining a flashing strobe smoke alarm.

More Fire Safety Tips

• Make digital copies of valuable documents and records like birth certificates.
• Sleep with your door closed.
• Contact Campus Security for information on the proper use of fire extinguishers.

After a Fire

The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide for you to follow after a fire strikes.

• Contact your resident assistant or Office for Student Development, if you need temporary housing, food and medicines.
• The fire department in conjunction with College Facilities will determine if utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site.  DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.
• Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items.  Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.
• Try to locate valuable documents and records. 
• Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss.  The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying losses claimed on income tax.

Prevent Fires

Fires are preventable! The following are simple steps that each of us can take to prevent a tragedy.

Cooking

• You may bring additional microwaves or refrigerators (max size 4.8 cubic feet). These items are subject to health and safety inspections and may not have on them. Small kitchen appliances, such as blenders, mixers, etc., are allowed in the residence halls. Coffeemakers should be the one-cup or thermal carafe type.  Anything with an open flame or burner surface is not allowed, including (but not limited to) candles, halogen lamps, charcoal and “George Foreman” type grills, toasters, hot plates, toaster ovens, mug warmers, etc.  If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Residence Life. If prohibited items are found, residents are subject to disciplinary action.

College Smoking Policy

• Huntingdon College is a SMOKE FREE Violations of Huntingdon College’s SMOKE FREE policy are strictly enforced, and subject to disciplinary action.
• For the purpose of this SMOKE FREE policy prohibition includes electronic, e-cigarettes and vaping devices (i.e. Juuls).

Electrical and Appliance Safety

• Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately and do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
• Extension cords are prohibited from use in resident halls/housing.
• If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet.
• Immediately notify Maintenance/Facilities, your Resident Assistant or your Building Coordinator, if light switches or electrical outlets are hot to the touch or lights flicker continuously.

Portable Space Heaters

• Portable space heaters are not allowed in the residence halls or housing.

More Prevention Tips

• Never use stove range or oven to heat your student housing.
• Keep combustible and flammable liquids away from heat sources and do not store in residence halls or campus housing. No liquid propane tanks are allowed in side residence halls or campus housing. 
• Portable generators should NEVER be used indoors and should only be refueled outdoors or in well ventilated areas.