One of the primary goals of the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office is preventing
fires. This is done through the restriction of fire sources and through periodic inspection
and maintenance of fire detection and suppression systems.
- All smoke detectors, heat detectors, strobes and horns are tested annually for functionality
by the EHS Office and an outside contractor.
- All sprinkler systems are tested and inspected quarterly by an outside contractor
in conjunction with the EHS Office.
- Fire extinguishers are inspected monthly by Public Safety.
The entire campus is annually inspected by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention
and Control during the spring semester. Classrooms, offices and residence hall rooms
are selected randomly to inspect. If your room/office is selected, it will be inspected.
If a prohibited item is found, the staff/faculty member will be informed and will
have a chance to remove the item. If the item is not removed in a timely manner, EHS
staff will remove the item.
At MCC, the most common fire violations found are extension cords/multi plug adapters.
They are not allowed on campus. Extension cords are not designed to be continuously
used and thus may get hot or (if damaged) create a spark that may ignite a fire.
Procedure for Discovery of Fire or Smoke
When fire or smoke is discovered:
- Shout “Fire!” to alert those in the immediate vicinity and assist any person in immediate danger,
only if it can be accomplished without risk to yourself.
- Activate the nearest fire alarm as you exit the building. This will automatically
notify the fire department and get help on the way. It will also shut down the air
handling units to prevent the spread of smoke throughout the building.
- Fire Extinguishers may be used by trained individuals, BUT ONLY after activating the
fire alarm and assisting those in immediate danger. Be sure to fight the fire with
the exit at your back.
- If one extinguisher does not put out the fire, close the door as you exit the area
and immediately evacuate the building.
Fire Prevention Tips
- Replace all extension cords and multi-plug adapters with UL listed power strips with
built-in circuit breakers.
- Don’t use and report electrical fire hazards such as damaged electrical cords, plugs
that are hot to touch, and electrical outlets missing their cover plates.
- Plug all high voltage equipment such as wall-refrigerators and coffee makers, directly
into the wall or into a properly rated power strip.
- Doors must not be propped open, including exit, corridor and doors of unoccupied rooms.
- Exits, corridors and stairwells must be kept clear at all times. Storage is not allowed.
- Exits cannot be blocked by items with any material such as: furniture, equipment,
or snow buildup outside an exit door
- Combustible storage must be stored at least 18” below the level of a sprinkler. In
non-sprinklered rooms, combustible storage must be at least 24” below the ceiling.
- Do not leave food cooking in microwaves unattended.
- Do not hang anything from a sprinkler head.
- Ceiling hangings of any description are not permissible, as they interfere with the
proper function of the fire/smoke detection and prevention devices.
- Wall décor must be limited to 20 percent of each wall of the room. Wall decorations
cannot cover windows, and must be at least 18 inches below the ceiling height.
- Lighting or heating devices that produce an open flame are prohibited, including but
is not limited to candles, kerosene lamps, and lamps with the globe facing upward,
such as torchier lamps.
Resident Hall Fire Safety
The following documents provide information about fire safety at MCC Redence Halls:
