While fire and life safety are high-profile concerns everywhere, there is even more sensitivity about the threat of fire hitting the U.S. college and university campuses.
With an estimated 1,700 fires on campuses annually, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the College Parents of America (CPA) have recently urged every college community to take time to focus on fire safety. “The loss of the best and brightest of America’s future is unacceptable, “ says FEMA Director James Lee Witt. “We must work together to prevent any future losses.”
Among efforts: upgrading detectors to more advanced technology and the use of sprinklers. “Smoke alarms and automatic sprinkler systems have established an impressive fire prevention record, particularly in the hospitality industry,” observes USFA Administrator Carrye B. Brown. “Automatic sprinkler systems are now commonplace in hotels and motels, where they afford the travelling public with a high level of fire safety.”