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2009 Annual Security Report is available from the University of Maryland Department of Public Safety

2009 Annual Fire Safety Report

The Higher Education Opportunity Act, enacted on August 14, 2008, requires institutions that maintain on-campus student housing facilities to publish an annual fire safety report that contains information about campus fire safety practices and standards of the institution.
  1. 2008 Fire Statistics for On-campus Student Housing Facilities
    Location Cause Injuries Deaths Property Damage
    5 Fraternity DriveUndetermined - Unknown0 0 $100.00
    Hagerstown HallAccidental - Resident playing with hand sanitizer and lighter 1 0 $15,175.00
    South Campus Commons 1Accidental - Smoking 0 0 $5,000.00
    South Campus Commons 4Accidental - Food on the stove 0 0 $50.00
    South Campus Commons 1Accidental - Food in the oven 0 0 $50.00
    Prince George's HallAccidental - Trash Can 0 0 $100.00
    Elkton HallUndetermined - Microwave 0 0 $100.00
    Courtyards at UMD Building 600Accidental - Fire in the Stove0 0 $250.00
    Easton HallUndetermined - Trash can 0 0 $50.00
    South Campus Commons 3 Accidental - Toaster in kitchen 0 0 $50.00
    4307 Rowalt Drive Accidental - Food on the stove 0 0 $100.00

  2. Description of On-Campus Student Housing Fire Safety Systems:
  3. Number of regular mandatory supervised fire drills:

    Each on- campus undergraduate housing facility has one fire evacuation drill conducted and evaluated by the University Fire Marshal's Office each semester.

  4. Policies on portable electrical appliances, smoking and open flames:

    On campus housing facilities have prohibitions against the following activities:

    1. Smoking.
    2. Using lighted candles or other open flames devices.
    3. Cooking in unapproved areas (bedrooms) including use of toaster ovens and appliances with an open heating element. Microwaves are allowed in some areas.
    4. Use of space heaters (Except when issued by Residential Facilities for emergency outages of heat).
    5. Misuse of extension cords.
    6. Tampering with or blocking any fire protection equipment.
    7. Possession of fireworks.
    8. Use of torchiere halogen lamps or halogen bulbs.
  5. Additional information is available on the following web sites:
    Fire Safety Program in Residence Halls - http://www.resnet.umd.edu/policies/program.html
    Residential Facilities - Safety and Environment - http://www.drf.umd.edu/safety/fire.cfm
    Facilities Management Guidelines for Fraternity Row Houses - http://www.greek.umd.edu/Documents/Facilities%20Management%20Requirements.pdf
    South Campus Commons Resident Handbook - http://www.southcampuscommons.com/PDF/0910/2009-2010%20Resident%20Handbook.pdf
    UMD Courtyards Resident Handbook - http://www.umdcourtyards.com/PDF/2008-2009/Resident%20Handbook%2008-09.pdf

  6. Fire safety education and training programs for students, faculty and staff:

    The Fire Marshal's Office within the Department of Environmental Safety provides training to housing staff including Resident Assistants, Community Assistants, and Greek House Directors. The training includes information on fire protection features of facilities, fire prevention, emergency procedures, and conducting fire safety education sessions for residents.

    The Fire Marshal's Office is also involved in public education programs like the Safety Fair, First Look Fair, Off-Campus Housing Fairs, Terp Fire Safety Challenge, Graduate Apartments Resident Appreciation Day, floor meetings, and Greek House Chapter Meetings.

  7. Plans for future improvements in fire safety:

    UM continually evaluates the fire protection systems in residential facilities. A systematic process of annually planning and budgeting for fire protection system upgrades has been in place for over 30 years. Such upgrades occur through replacements or building renovations. Current plans include:



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