TCNJ

19 THE COLLEGE'S ANNUAL SECURITY AND FIRE SAFETY REPORT 2020 Fire safety education for college-managed on-campus student housing facilities is prepared by the Office of Occupational Safety and Environmental Services for the Department of Residential Education and Housing, to provide information to all occupants of these facilities. Fire safety education topics include, but are not limited to, fire prevention, safe evacuation techniques, and fire extinguishers. TCNJ maintains a mandatory evacuation policy in all college- managed on-campus student housing facilities. In accordance with this policy, in the event of a fire or upon activation of any fire alarm, all building occupants are required to evacuate the building. Evacuees are then required to retreat to a safe location at least 50 feet from the building. Any person who fails to evacuate during a fire alarm activation is subject to criminal complaints by the Office of CPS and/or disciplinary action through the Student Conduct process. Each on-campus student housing facility has a fire safety and evacuation plan. During the 2019–20 academic year, at the direction of the Office of Occupational Safety and Environmental Services and the Office of CPS, the Department of Residential Education and Housing performed a total of 48 fire drills. ese fire drills were completed, at each of the 16 college-managed on-campus student housing facilities, in the following manner: two (2) fire drills were conducted during the Fall 2019 semester and one (1) fire drill was conducted during the Spring 2020 semester. During each semester the first drill was conducted within 10 days of the beginning of classes. During the fall semester we conducted one (1) drill between sunset and sunrise. On March 9, 2020, and prior to the second fire drill for the spring semester, a New Jersey Public Health Emergency was declared (Executive Order 103) due to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). On March 12, 2020 residents were encouraged to take their belongings home with them for Spring Break while the college-managed on-campus student housing facilities closed. Prior to residents returning to campus from Spring Break, the New Jersey Stay at Home Order was declared on March 21, 2020 (Executive Order 107). Considering both the New Jersey Public Health Emergency and the New Jersey Stay at Home Order requiring campus residents to remain at their permanent addresses, the college agreed with our Department of Community Affairs, Division of Fire Safety Fire Inspector that we would not be able to conduct the second fire drill of the spring semester. In fire drills conducted during the 2019–20 academic year of the college-managed on-campus student housing facilities, the Department of Residential Education and Housing checked each room to confirm all residents had evacuated from the building. Additionally, the Department of Residential Education and Housing performed inspections of each resident's room in on-campus student housing facilities to confirm fire safety compliance. Residents found in violation of college policy were subject to disciplinary action through the Student Conduct process. In adherence to the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition 2015, the following is strictly prohibited in all college-managed on-campus student housing facilities: tampering or misuse of all fire safety equipment (which includes, but is not limited to, fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, heat sensors, "Exit" signs, emergency lighting, elevator phones, fire doors, and call boxes); blocking doorways; hanging objects from windows; hanging objects on/from fire safety equipment or the ceiling; and initiating false alarms. TCNJ and the State of New Jersey treat false alarms very seriously. Individuals who initiate false alarms are subject to local, state, or federal legal processes and/or disciplinary action through the Student Conduct process. Due to their extreme potential fire hazards the following items are strictly prohibited in college-managed on-campus student housing facilities: candles (even for decorative purposes); incense; halogen lamps; fireworks; smoke/fog machines; flame-producing devices; personal furniture containing or constructed of urethane; and appliances with exposed heating elements, including but not limited to broiler or toaster ovens, heating devices, hotplates, toasters, and space heaters (in emergencies, space heaters may be issued by the Department of Residential Education and Housing staff). e use of appliances with enclosed heating elements for cooking purposes is only permitted in the common areas (i.e., kitchens and lounges); this includes rice cookers, slow cookers, and similar items. According to New Jersey state law, smoking of any tobacco product or use of any electronic smoking devices in any indoor public place or workplace is prohibited. In order to maintain the highest levels of health and safety possible, TCNJ prohibits smoking of any tobacco product or use of any electronic smoking devices in all residential buildings. Residents and occupants of facilities in which evidence of use of such a product is found are subject to action through the Student Conduct process and/or fines from the State of New Jersey. All fire safety violations are considered very serious and may result in removal from residence. A fire log is maintained at the Office of CPS. To review this log, please visit the dispatch window located in the college's Administrative Services Building. All fires are required to be reported to the Office of CPS. TCNJ consistently evaluates their protocols and procedures to improve their fire protection efforts. An on-going project to assist in this improvement, includes enhancement of the main water loop, which feeds the hydrants and fire suppressant systems on campus. Campus Town In addition to the aforementioned college-managed on-campus student housing facilities, there are also on-campus student housing facilities that are located on land owned by TCNJ. is land was developed and is managed by the PRC Group, of West Long Branch, New Jersey, and its agents. is development is called Campus Town, and it includes student housing and other facilities. For portions of Campus Town that are used as student housing facilities, the PRC Group and its agents establish and enforce any policies or procedures for their residents. At Campus Town, fire safety systems protect all student housing facilities. Each system consists of fire alarms, smoke detection, and sprinkler protection. Strobe lights are equipped in every student apartment and bedroom. Additionally, all Campus Town student housing facilities are equipped with fire extinguishers. Fire safety systems in Campus Town student housing facilities are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a contracted central station monitoring company that notifies the college's Office of CPS and Campus Town staff in the event of an alarm activation.

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