Annual Fire Safety Reports on Student Housing
Nyweide Scott Hall, Muscatine Community College - 2024
Fire Safety Reporting: fires, injuries and damage
Number of fires that occurred (includes stove fires): 1
State the cause of each fire reported above: N/A
Number of injuries related to these fires that resulted in treatment at a medical facility: NONE
Number of deaths related to a fire: NONE
Estimated value of property damage caused by a fire: Personal Items: $0 and College Property: $33,481.85
Fire Safety Reporting: policies, drills, plans for improvement
Describe the policy for mandatory, supervised, fire drills on campus: be sure to include how many drills are required and whether or not the fire department presence is required
Mandatory drills are completed by residents at the start of each semester within the academic year – one during the fall semester and one during the spring semester. All residents are in attendance and the housing manager is in charge of the programming. Local fire departments were present and assisted in the trainings Additional education is completed during the move-in period.
Provide a description of measures taken to provide for student housing facility safety: be sure to include a description of sprinkler system-types and locations throughout the building, the number of fire extinguishers and maintenance schedule.
In addition to mandatory fire drills, the Fire Department attends a building meeting to talk about fire safety and demonstrates how to use a fire extinguisher. This program is mandatory for all student housing residents. Covered information: not overloading outlets, power strips, and extension cords, policies regarding lamps and smoking policies. Cause and effect are provided with examples of student housing fires that have happened in previous years. Renter’s insurance information is included with their housing packets to protect their valuables in case of fires.
The fire alarm system is a main panel in Nyweide Scott Hall is 120V AC primary power supply, with secondary battery backup. There are eight manual (pull) stations located in the hallways, 31 smoke detectors, and 14 heat detectors located in the ductwork. The fire alarm system is monitored by Per Mar Security. There are three fire extinguishers on each floor in the hallway, for a total of 9 fire extinguishers in the building. Fire extinguishers are located at the end of each hallway, and one located in the middle section of each hallway. The fire alarm system is inspected annually by a local alarm service vendor. The fire sprinkler system is a wet-type standpipe, internal sprinkler, with alarm devices. The system, including the backflow preventer assembly, was inspected by a local sprinkler service vendor.
Inspections of the fire sprinkler system are done annually. Maintenance is performed if identified in the annual report. Muscatine Fire Department does an annual walk-through of all facilities.
Visual inspections by maintenance and housing manager are completed monthly and an annual inspection is performed by the fire protection vendor.
State the procedures for evacuation and describe policies regarding fire safety education and training program provided to students, faculty and staff
In Nyweide Scott Hall, emergency exit routes are located in each apartment directing students in evacuation situations. There are seven smoke alarms located within each apartment. A smoke alarm is in each bedroom, each vanity, and the living room areas. Each alarm is hardwired, and each smoke alarm has secondary battery back-up. Batteries are changed annually or when a low battery is reported. There are nine sprinkler heads in each apartment. Sprinkler heads are located in each bedroom, each vanity area, the living room area, and each hallway. Fire drills are held on a regular semester basis, and campus safety programming is held at the beginning of each semester.
Describe the policies/rules regarding portable electrical appliances, smoking and open flames in student housing facility
Muscatine Community College is a smoke-free, alcohol free, and tobacco free campus. Our policy is as stated: “Due to fire and sanitation hazards, space heater, halogen torchiere lamps, and sun lamps may not be used in apartments. When using electrical appliances, power strips with built-in circuit breakers must be used. The use of extension cords as permanent wiring is not permitted and multi-plugs are not allowed.” In addition, hot plates, space heaters, and candles are not allowed. The use of any open-flamed devises within the building is prohibited.
Please state all plans for future improvements in fire safety if determined necessary by the institution
During the 2025 year demonstrations and trainings will be provided to both students and housing employees.
Hansen Hall, Muscatine Community College - 2024
Fire Safety Reporting: fires, injuries and damage
Number of fires that occurred (includes stove fires): 0
State the cause of each fire reported above: N/A
Number of injuries related to these fires that resulted in treatment at a medical facility: NONE
Number of deaths related to a fire: NONE
Estimated value of property damage caused by a fire: Personal Items: $0 and College Property: $0
Fire Safety Reporting: policies, drills, plans for improvement
Describe the policy for mandatory, supervised, fire drills on campus: be sure to include how many drills are required and whether or not the fire department presence is required
Fire drills are completed yearly at the end of August/ beginning of September. Fire department participation is requested but not required.
Provide a description of measures taken to provide for student housing facility safety: be sure to include a description of sprinkler system-types and locations throughout the building, the number of fire extinguishers and maintenance schedule.
TThere is a fire suppression system in place that is tested yearly and monitored by Midwest Alarm Systems and the Muscatine Fire Department. Sprinkler heads are located in every room of every unit, as well as throughout the hallways and each common area, in the fitness areas, in the social and laundry rooms, as well as in the Office. There are smoke alarms hardwired with 10-year sealed battery backups in every bedroom of every unit, as well as in the kitchen/ living room area. Additionally, there are three fire extinguishers in each hallway that are tested yearly and reloaded/ replaced as needs, as well as one in the laundry room, and one in the kitchenette in the social area. Each unit also has a fire extinguisher in the kitchen under the sink, bringing the total number of fire extinguishers in the building to 46. Common area smoke alarms are hardwired and tested annually to ensure they are in proper working order.
State the procedures for evacuation and describe policies regarding fire safety education and training program provided to students, faculty and staff
Emergency exit lights are in the hallways and stairwells throughout the building. The are hardwired with battery back-ups in the evet of a power outage. Batteries and lights are tested on an annual basis. Residents are directed to use the closest accessible exit in the event of a fire, and to meet no less than 100 yards away from the building. Residents are taught how to operate fire extinguishers in the event of a fire using the P.A.S.S method at move-in. Additional fire safety information is provided to residents throughout their tenancy.
Describe the policies/rules regarding portable electrical appliances, smoking and open flames in student housing facility
The Villas is a smoke-free community located on a tobacco-free campus. In addition, residents are not allowed to have open flames in any unit. The following items are prohibited from the premises: candles, incense, hot plates, halogen lamps, space heaters, and lighter fluid.
Please state all plans for future improvements in fire safety if determined necessary by the institution
Continue to enforce all current fire safety protocols including resident education, monitoring compliance, and making improvements as needed. Currently, we are updating our fire alarm monitoring system from telephone lines (which can occasionally disconnect or lose service without notice or warning) to a Wi-Fi system. We will consult with the college administration on any further improvements as needed to stay in compliance.