Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Here is a list of support provided:

• Training programs and information regarding fire safety and fire prevention.
• Acting as a liaison with the Purchase Volunteer Fire Department.
• Coordination of annual, campus-wide fire safety inspections with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
• Maintenance of emergency evacuation procedures for all campus buildings.
• Conducting fire drills in campus academic, administrative and service buildings.
• Working closely with the Office of Residential and Student Life on issues of fire safety in residence areas.

If you have any questions regarding fire or life safety, contact Environmental, Health and Safety at 914.251.6022.

Fire Prevention

Maintaining a fire-safe environment on the campus at all times benefits students, faculty, staff and visitors by ensuring that no one is injured, and that property is not damaged.  It also demonstrates to the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) fire inspector during annual fire safety inspections that we take fire safety seriously.  A constant awareness of conditions that can cause fires is key to preventing them.  The best way to accomplish this is by checking areas regularly for unsafe conditions.  Taking immediate action by submitting a Work Request or by contacting the Office of Environmental, Health & Safety will help keep the campus safe.

Please be on the lookout for these easily corrected fire safety hazards:

Housekeeping

• Clutter that compromises egress routes or causes trip hazards must be removed.
• Excess combustibles (paper, cardboard, wood, trash) must not be stored.
• In residence areas, decorations that cover 50% or more of walls/doors are not permitted.

Cooking / Kitchen Safety

• Use common sense in the kitchen.
• Limit distractions when cooking and never leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended.
• Prevent fires by keeping your oven and stove top clean of grease and dust.
• Ensure a stovetop drip pan is in place under each burner and each pan is free of grease or food.
• Keep combustible items, such as dish towels, cardboard, paper, or wooden spoons, away from your stovetop.

Smoking & Candles

• Purchase College is a “tobacco free campus” meaning that smoking of any kind is prohibited, both indoors or out.
• The possession or use of candles, incense, or open-flame devices is not permitted.

Electrical Equipment

• Regularly inspect electrical appliances, computers, and other devices before use to ensure that there aren’t any frayed cords or exposed wires.
• Electrical outlets that are damaged or have covers missing must not be used and must be reported by submitting a Work Request.
• Only fused power strips are approved for use.
• Never use extension cords.
• Never plug multiple power strips together, a dangerous practice known as “daisy-chaining”.  Each power strip must be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
• All electrical / circuit breaker panels must remain easily accessible / not obstructed.
• Refer to the Campus policy on Power Strip and Extension Cord Safety for information on the permissible use of power strips and extension cords within Purchase College buildings.
• Use only approved appliances regardless of location on campus.

Fire Protection Devices

• Never cover, or remove smoke or heat detectors.  Never cover smoke or heat detectors doing so has been proven to be fatal.
• Never attempt to disable fire alarm system components.  Disabled smoke detectors can’t warn you about a potential fire in time to escape safely.
• Fire sprinkler heads must not be obstructed by decorations or other material.

Fire Extinguishers

• Check that fire extinguishers are available and are securely mounted to a wall.
• If a fire extinguisher is observed with a pressure gauge reading outside the normal range, submit a Work Request

Egress Routes

• Keep all aisles, walkways, stairways and paths that lead to exits, clear of debris and obstructions.
• Exit signs must be lit / working.

Fire Doors

• Fire doors at stairwells and in hallways throughout the campus protect building occupants by stopping the spread of smoke and fire to adjacent spaces, allowing time to escape.
• Fire doors that are propped open cannot protect the area.
• Fire doors must always be kept closed, and must not be propped open for any reason, or otherwise made inoperable.
• In a fire, they may save your life!