Officials say false fire alarms less frequent

10/12/07 - Despite the perceived frequency of fire drills on the University of Rhode Island campus this semester, Major Stephen Baker of the URI Campus Police said that there have been two fire alarms less than there were at this time last year. According to the campus polices log, 14 alarms went off this year. Even more importantly, Baker said that "very few of them are malicious pulls," meaning there were very few incidents where students were responsible for pulling alarms. This year, Baker said that there was one malicious pull and two possible malicious pulls in the dormitories.

There are several other reasons why fire alarms are set off that are unavoidable, according to Baker. They include burnt popcorn and other food, steam, and even smoke from outside drifting into the dorms.

Kevin Culley, the URI director of Safety and Risk Management, simply said, "You do get fire alarms from time to time, sometimes they are false alarms."

"Obviously, if there is a malicious pull, it is a crime," Baker said. The punishment, according to Baker, includes up to a year in jail, no more than $500 in fines and restitution.

Danielle Mailloux, a freshman chemistry student, said, "The fire alarms are way too sensitive. I understand why they are but if they are going to go off because of steam from a shower, that means they are too sensitive."

The Burnside resident said there was one night when she had to go outside twice. Mailloux said the fire alarm rang first at 1 a.m., and later rang after students had been let back into the dormitory. She also remembered it ringing a third time, but added that it quickly shut off.

"The fact that it had gone off three times is really annoying," Mailloux said.

Kingston Fire Department Chief Nate Barrington said that most of the calls this year were "fairly understandable" as to why the systems were tripped.

Barrington thinks that URI has become much better at reducing the number of malicious alarms. He continued, saying that fire extinguishers have been put in supervised areas and covers have been placed over alarms instead of glass cases.

Baker said he hopes that students will let the police know if they witness malicious pulls. Barrington admitted that there are mistakes and accidents. "It happens sometimes," he said. "We understand that. We aren't going to come down on someone for an honest mistake."

There was one incident this year where a student cut the fire alarm's wiring to shut down the alarm. By doing so, the student knocked out half of the dorm's alarm systems. The police, who respond to every fire, along with the fire department, will press charges.

Cutting the fire alarm is a felony, which carries with it the possibility of one to five years in jail, as well as a fine of $1,000 to $5,000. However, Baker believes that his department will charge the student with misdemeanor vandalization because there was no malicious intent.

"The devices are there for everyone's safety," Baker said about the fire alarms.

With many false alarms, Baker said he fears that students will condition themselves to thinking that each alarm is only a practice or test.

Mailloux had similar thoughts to Baker. "If we were to have a real fire, I think there would be a few people who would think it's a real fire," she said. However, she said she realized the importance of the alarms. "I don't want to be the one stuck in my room," she said. Mailloux said she sees students who stay in their rooms or come out much later when the fire trucks have already arrived.

Baker said he thinks that students who are staying in their rooms are a major concern. "You look at the number ... the problem is if people hear the alarm and don't get out, there could be a problem," he said.

Culley said he expects students to evacuate the building when there are fire drills. "It may be an inconvenience," he said, "but the alternatives are worse."

Baker, Barrington and Culley all referenced the Seton Hall University dormitory fire. The fire, which occurred on Jan. 19, 2000 in Boland Hall, claimed the lives of three students and resulted in 58 injured students. More students were hurt because there had been so many false alarms that they did not immediately leave their rooms.

"Dormitories don't ventilate smoke well. If people don't leave their rooms, they run the risk of being trapped by smoke," Barrington said.

Culley said he works year round to prevent fires like the one at Seton Hall. "We have a regular schedule of fire drills," he said.

Each dormitory has two fire drills a semester. Safety and Risk management also inspects each dorm and has random room inspections, where they give warning before checking if the room is fire compliant. Even during winter break, while students are home, Culley and his team inspect each dorm to see if the fire alarms are still up to date and working well.

Culley tells all students in the dorms that, "If you haven't been spotted with a candle or incense, please take them home.