The University's Housing Office has taken a proactive approach in limiting certain items allowed in residential areas. Policies prohibit fire hazards in housing rooms such as, candles and incense, hot plates, toaster ovens, and space heaters.

The Facilities Management Office takes a strong fire safe approach with the construction of new residential buildings. University growth over the past decade has provided opportunity for new residential buildings. The approach to the construction of these buildings has been to include state of the art fire detection and suppression systems. Existing residential buildings have been updated to include comprehensive fire detection and warning systems. All hallways are equipped with fire extinguishers and all apartments have extinguishers. Residence area doors are one-hour fire rated.

Each living center on our campuses is equipped with a fire detection systems that include manual pull stations, horns, strobe lights, smoke detectors, and heat detectors. Various housing units also contain sprinkler protection. The apartments on the Allendale campus include smoke detectors on each floor. The alarm systems and fire extinguishers are routinely inspected.

The university has created a "Fire Safety 101" brochure. The brochure contains fire safety details for living on campus. It is posted in all residential areas prior to fall semester check-in. A Fire / Tornado Placard is also maintained on the rear of residential doors on campus each of our campus'. The placards contain basic emergency information as well as the evacuation routes and tornado shelter locations for the area.  The university provides a video for students to view on college fire safety.

Resident Assistants are required to attend a Fire & Tornado Safety work session prior to move-in during the RA training period. This prepares RA's to teach residents on Fire Safety issues. The RA's have a constant link to the Department of Public Safety for other information and programming.

Residents in the Residence Hall and Living Centers are required to attend an initial floor meeting on the first day of the new fall semester. This floor meeting covers a number of Fire Safety issues including their building's floor plan, evacuation routes, fire drill procedures and fire safety policies

The Housing Department maintains supplementary safety brochures from the National Fire Protection Association.

Violations of University rules and regulations are documented and corrective action taken by the Dean of Student's Office. When violations of state law occur, the person(s) responsible are handled through the Department of Public Safety.

In Residence Halls and Living Centers, DPS conducts a fire drill within 2 weeks of classes beginning to familiarize residents with the sights and sounds of the system. Unannounced drills are conducted at various times throughout the year.

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