If there is a fire in your apartment or building...

~ Leave the area where the fire is located, isolating it as well as possible by closing doors and windows around it.
~ DO NOT attempt to retrieve valuables. DO NOT use elevators.
~ Pull the nearest fire alarm. Find a safe location and then:

1. Call 9-911 from a campus phone or 911 from a cell phone or an off-campus phone.
2. Call Public Safety 
   • 9-641-6988 from a campus phone or
   • 641-6988 from a cell phone or an off-campus phone
3. Call Facilities Services at 6244 from a campus phone or 642-6244 from a cell phone or an off-campus phone.

~ Never attempt to fight a fire larger than wastebasket size.
~ Never attempt to fight a fire by yourself.
~ Call for help.
~ Always stay between the fire and the exit.

•• FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSTRUCTIONS ••

• P* PULL safety pin from the handle
• A* AIM at the base of the fire
• S* SQUEEZE the trigger handle
• S* SWEEP from side to side

Trapped in a Burning Building

• Hang clothing or a sheet out the window of the room you are trapped in. The firefighters will know where you are trapped.
• Stay low to the ground as you try to exit.
• Do not open any doors that feel hot.
• Use wet towels or clothes to protect you from flames and smoke.
• If you are aware that someone is trapped in a burning structure, inform the firefighters immediately.
• DO NOT re-enter the building alone.
• If your clothes catch fire, STOP, DROP, AND ROLL!!!
• All alarms should be taken seriously. If you hear an alarm, evacuate the building immediately.

BHSU Tobacco Policy

Fire Safety Guidelines Regarding Decorations

• All materials used (i.e. paper, foil) must be flame resistant.
• No painting is allowed directly on walls, floors or ceiling surfaces.
• Fire alarm boxes, heat detectors, fire extinguishers and cabinets, and exit lights must not be covered and exits must not be blocked.
• All decorations are to be removed before the halls close for semester break.
• No candles or any open flame devices may be used as decorations.
• Keep in mind that anything creating an egress hazard will not be permitted.

Student Code of Conduct - Fire Safety

• Minimally, a $50 fine will be issued for a first-offense violation of the following Fire Safety
  Violations (second offenses doubled, etc):
  • Open flame devices, including candles, incense and smoking
  • Open coil appliances such as hot plates and space heaters
  • Negligent cooking includes cooking that is left without supervision and/or is the cause of a fire
    alarm
  • Negligent cooking may include supervised cooking yet the cooking/food causes/triggers a fire
    alarm
  • Halogen lamps
  • Extension cords
• Minimally, a $250 fine will be issued for a first-offense violation of the following fire safety
  violations, additionally, criminal prosecution is possible:
  • Any prank or activity involving fire extinguishers (the removal and/or discharge of), fireworks, flammable material, liquids, explosives, dangerous chemicals and noxious or harmful materials/objects on BHSU grounds or in the residence halls.
  • All types of fireworks are prohibited by the City of Spearfish. The Spearfish Municipal Fire Code makes it a violation for anyone to possess, store, sell, use or explode any type of fireworks.
    
    Offenders may be subject to fines and imprisonment. Due to the physical danger to residents and the possibility of fire, any prank or activity involving fireworks, flammable material, liquids, explosives, dangerous chemicals and noxious or harmful materials/objects WILL NOT be tolerated on Black Hills State University grounds and/or in any residence hall. Activities involving the use of chemicals/explosives/fireworks may result in severe disciplinary sanctions issued as well as prosecution under applicable criminal codes. All chemicals/explosives/fireworks found in any residence hall room are subject to immediate seizure by any staff member.
     
  • Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm or hindering the evacuation of other occupants during a
    fire alarm is prohibited. Severe disciplinary action, including possible dismissal from Black Hills State University, may be imposed for violation of these procedures. Additionally criminal prosecution is possible for pulling fire alarms or unauthorized use of fire fighting equipment.
     
  • Tampering/abuse of fire equipment, false alarms, and arson are serious crimes are treated
    accordingly. 
     
  • False reporting to authorities - knowingly making a report or intentionally causing a false fire or other emergency alarm to be transmitted to, or within, any fire department, ambulance service, or other government agency which deals with emergencies involving danger to life or property.
     
  • Intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion that places another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury. 

More Fire Safety Information

• Electric light bulbs should be recognized as heat producing devices and should not be near any combustible surface. Homemade light fixtures, extension cords, combustible lampshades and combustible decoration on light fixtures are all fire hazards.
• Empty the wastebaskets on a regular basis to reduce fire hazards and rodent/bug infestation.
• To reduce the risk of fire, do not leave your cooking unattended. Unattended cooking-or other forms of negligent cooking-often activates the fire alarm system which automatically summons the Fire Department. In such cases, a $50 fine could be imposed upon the negligent cooking.
• Fire Safety Inspections in Residence Halls
  Fire Safety Inspections of your room will occur periodically. Notice of actual inspections will be posted in your residence hall a few days prior to the actual inspections. You will be given written notice of results once your room has been inspected. Such results will include date and time of entry, findings, fire safety violations if any, and the name of staff that conducted the inspection. Items noticed in your room (in plain view sight) that are in violation of University policy will be confiscated and at the discretion of the Director of Residence Life may or may not be returned to you.

Black Hills State University Fire Safety Reports can also be viewed upon request at the Public Safety Office in the lower level of Woodburn Hall.

Fire Safety Report for Academic Buildings, 2010

 
Fire Log
Fire logs are chronological lists of fires occurring in BHSU Residence Halls during a calendar year.  The logs list the Date, Time, Indicent Number, General Location, Nature of Incident, Cause, Number of Deaths, Number of Injuries Requiring Treatment, and Dollar Loss.

Definitions

Fire:  Any instance of open flame or other burning in a place not intended to contain the burning or in an uncontrolled manner.

Cause of Fire:  The Factor or factors that give rise to a fire.  The casual factors may be but is not limited to the result of intentional or unintentional action, mechanical failure or act of nature.

Fire Related Injury:  Any instance in which a person is injured as a result of a fire, including any injury sustained from a natural or accidental cause whil involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from dangers of the fire.  The term person may include students, employees, visitors, firefighters, or an other individuals.

Fire Related Death:  Any instance in which a person is killed as a result of a fire, including death resulting from a mantural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescue or escaping from dangers of fire.  Dies within 1 year of injuries sustained as a result of the fire.