Fire Safety
Fire Detection Systems
All Residence halls and Academic/Administrative buildings at the University are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by the Emergency Operations staff as well as remotely. When a general building alarm is activated it is received by the Emergency Operations staff. The Emergency operations staff then dispatches Fredericksburg Fire Department, as well as the University Police.
Fire Pull Stations
Pull Stations are located throughout the buildings at UMW. They are red and labeled FIRE, normally in white Letters. They are to be used to alert the building of an emergency, whether it is a fire or another kind of emergency that requires the building to evacuate. Activating a pull station also notifies the Emergency Operations Center, which then dispatches Fredericksburg Fire Department, as well as the University Police.
Other Fire and Life Safety Equipment
Exit Signs
Each building at the University is equipped with exit lights that must illuminate at least 5 foot candles. Exit lights are white with red lettering and are also have alternate power supplies in the event of a power failure.
Fire Extinguishers
All buildings at UMW are equipped with multi-purpose ABC type fire extinguishers. They are located throughout the buildings and are either mounted on the walls or stored inside fire extinguisher cabinets. These extinguishers can be used to put out Type A– Ordinary Combustibles, such as trash, wood, and paper; Type B– Flammable Liquids; and type C-Electrical Equipment.
Use Fire Extinguishers by applying the PASS Method:
- Stand back from fire
- “P” Pull the pin
- “A” Aim at the base of the fire , not the smoke or flame
- “S” Squeeze the handle to activate
- “S” Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire. Remember, the extinguisher will only last 8-10 seconds. These are only first aid devices.
Fire Drills
Fire Drills are conducted in all buildings at UMW. Residential building fire drills are coordinated and performed by the Student Fire Marshal under the direction of Emergency Management and Safety for each building. They are to be held during specific time. The times can be found in the student handbook or at the Safety Office in Brent Hall. There are 3 drills per semester performed in each Residence halls. The Academic and Administrative facilities conduct annual drills. During all drills, the proper evacuation plans need to be utilized. The evacuation plans are posted on every floor throughout the buildings. There is also a pre-planned marshaling point where everyone musters who has exited the building for effective accountability.
Prohibited Appliances
There is a “NO Smoking” policy within all UMW buildings as well as no smoking within 50 feet of a building. Appliances within student residential buildings must be UL Listed. Appliances not allowed in residence halls consist of any appliance with a heating element which is not equip with an automatic shut off timer built into the appliance. The following are examples of prohibited items, a complete list can be found in the student handbook as well as the housing agreement. (George Foreman grills, hot plates, burners, Lava Lamps, candles, incense, hot pots, scentsy type burners etc.)
Zero Tolerance Policy The University of Mary Washington has enforces a zero tolerance policy for the intentional abuse or damage of, or tampering with, Fire and Life Safety Equipment. Any student found in violation of this listed infractions will be permanently removed from any and all residential halls for their remaining career at UMW.
UMW Residential Fire Safety Overview
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X= Building is equipped with the listed fire safety system |
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| Housing Area | Fire Extinguishers | Smoke Detectors | Manual Pull Stations | Fire Suppression | Fire Alarm Systems | |||
| Fredericksburg Campus | ||||||||
| Alvey | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| Arrington | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| Ball | X | X | X | – | X | |||
| Bushnell | X | X | X | – | X | |||
| Custis | X | X | X | – | X | |||
| Eagle Landing | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| Framar | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| Jefferson | X | X | X | – | X | |||
| Madison | X | X | X | – | X | |||
| Marshall | X | X | X | – | X | |||
| Mason | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| Randolph | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| Russell | X | X | X | – | X | |||
| South | X | X | X | – | X | |||
| UMW Apartments | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| Westmoreland | X | X | X | – | X | |||
| Willard | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| UMW Apartments has a limited sprinkler system in the storage space only. | ||||||||
| South Hall has a limited sprinkler system in the mechanical room | ||||||||
| Russell Hall has a limited sprinkler system in the Records Storage room | ||||||||
2017 Residence Hall Fire Statistics
UMW Statistical Information on Fires in Residential Facilities
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