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Fire Safety

 

The College’s Fire Safety Specialist, Ethan Moss, is responsible for the areas described below, including fire permits, alarms, and extinguishers. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Fire Safety Specialist at mosse2@tcnj.edu or call the extension x2389

 

Building Evacuation

The College of New Jersey maintains a mandatory evacuation policy. Per the mandatory evacuation policy, in the event of a fire or upon activation of any fire alarm, all building occupants are required to evacuate the building. Building occupants are required to exit the building via the nearest exit doors and are required to move at least 50 feet from the building. Please be careful not to obstruct the pathway of emergency responders.

Individuals who are not able to evacuate the building for mobility reasons should seek shelter in an area of refuge, such as a protected stairwell. Contact should be made to Campus Police at 609-771-2345 or by calling 9-1-1 from any campus phone, notifying them of your situation and location within the building.

Campus Fire Safety Reporting

Our office assists Campus Police in gathering statistics for the Campus Police Clery/Fire Report on campus. This report is mandated by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, as well as The College’s policy regarding crime prevention.

Electrical Safety

The following documents can help you to determine what electrical accessories are allowed or prohibited, and how to use them safely. Using prohibited items or using electrical equipment improperly increases the possibility of a fire.

Fire Alarms

TCNJ is currently working to upgrade our Fire Alarm System.

Fire Extinguishers

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) manages the fire extinguishers on the TCNJ campus. This includes coordinating the annual and monthly inspections.

If you notice an issue with a fire extinguisher that is used, missing, empty, damaged, etc., then please enter an online ticket request for Facilities.

Please note that the inspection tag on the fire extinguisher is valid for a year following the month that punched out.

Fire Extinguisher

Fire Safety Education

Our office is responsible for providing fire safety education training to college staff, for scheduling and conducting residential mandatory drills twice a semester, for tracking all fire alarm reports generated by Campus Police Services and Residential Education and Housing, and for evaluating fire safety in campus buildings regularly. If you are a new employee or a staff member who needs annual fire safety education training, please refer to the Employee Training section.

To learn more about Fire Safety, please refer to the Guide for Residence Living

Fire Safety Inspections

The Emergency Preparedness Manager serves as The College’s liaison with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. Annual inspection of the entire campus and quarterly inspections of certain buildings on campus (Kendall Theater, T/W Link and Kitchen, Brower Student Center Food Court, and Eickhoff Hall Cafeteria) are conducted by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety with the assistance of the Emergency Preparedness Manager. Inspections attempt to identify all applicable fire safety violations based upon the International Fire Code, NJ edition. Our office is responsible for ensuring that all fire code violations are abated as mandated by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.

For more information, please refer to the Fire Safety Inspection webpage.

To report a concern for fire safety, please contact the Emergency Preparedness Manager.

In the event of a fire emergency on campus, please contact the Office of Campus Police Services by dialing 9-1-1 from any campus phone. Please note that dialing 9-1-1 from a cell phone will put you in contact with Ewing, not with the campus. Directly dial 609-771-2345 from a cell phone.

Fire Safety Permits and Approvals for Event Planning

  • Fireworks:
    • Approval from the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety (NJDFS) through inspection and the issuance of a fire permit are required for a fireworks display on campus.
    • Organizations that are planning a fireworks display on campus must coordinate their planning with our office and fill out an online application for permit. The permit application information includes:
        • The location of the fireworks display as well as the fallout zone.
        • Contact information, including telephone number for the individual responsible for the event. This individual must be present during the inspection performed by the NJDFS on the day of the event.
        • The number and size of shells that will be used.
        • The date and time that the fireworks display will be setup for inspection.
        • A permit application fee of a $331.00 (amount subject to change) to the Division of Fire Safety. This can be paid online through the online permit application system.
    • Application including fees must be submitted to the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety at least two weeks prior to the proposed event. Please contact the Emergency Preparedness Manager at extension 3269 to help with the logistics of the fireworks event well in advance from the proposed event date. Please click here for Municipal/Sponsor Requirements and Display Company Requirements.
    • A copy of the permit application is to be sent to the Emergency Preparedness Manager.
  • Barbecues/Cooking:
    • The College currently has an annual barbeque permit issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety (NJDFS) that allows College employees and Sodexo to use grills on campus. This permit does not apply to student organizations or college employees that are not acting at the direction of the College or within the scope of their employment with the College.
    • Student organizations or outside parties that are planning barbeques (or cooking with grills, fryers, or open flame) on campus must submit an online application for permit to the NJ Division of Fire Safety. Applicants will need to set up a RIMS account at: https://portal01.state.nj.us/http://portal20.sa.state.nj.us:8080/signup/NJLoginNewUser .
    • Application including fees must be submitted to the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety at least two weeks prior to the proposed event.
    • Please contact the Emergency Preparedness Manager at extension 3269 to help with the logistics of the barbeque event well in advance from the proposed event date. A copy of the permit application is to be sent to the Emergency Preparedness Manager.
    • The NJ Division of Fire Safety will inspect on the day of the event. The NJ Division of Fire Safety has the authority to deny approving the permit.
    • Please note that fire safety approval does not include approvals from the health department. EHS is not responsible for Ewing Township Health Department Inspections or permitting.
  • Propane Grill Guidelines:
    • Prior to use, the propane tank must be properly secured to the grill, and the tank and gas line connection should be checked for leaks.
    • At least one current fire extinguisher must be available per grill for the duration of the event.
    • No grills may be used to cook inside tents or buildings.
    • Grills must be at least ten (10) feet from a building or other structure.
    • If there are multiple grills being used, the grills must be at least fifteen (15) feet apart.
    • Spare propane tanks must be kept upright and secured in a location at least ten (10) feet away from buildings, and at least fifteen (15) feet from any grills.
    • See the “Helium and Propane Tanks” section below for additional requirements when using Propane at TCNJ.
  • Charcoal Grill Guidelines:
    • At least one current fire extinguisher must be available per grill for the duration of the event.
    • No grills may be used to cook inside tents or buildings.
    • Grills must be at least ten (10) feet from a building or other structure.
    • Lighter fluid and charcoal must be kept in a location at least ten (10) feet away from buildings, and at least fifteen (15) feet from any grills.
    • The group using the charcoal grill is responsible for fully extinguishing the hot coals after use, and for disposing of the remnants in a proper receptacle. Hot coals are not to be placed in any outdoor trash containers.
  • Helium and Propane Tanks
    • Recommendation:
      • For environmental and safety reasons, plan for alternatives to helium or propane.
      • If helium is necessary, we recommend purchasing inflated balloons (or using air to inflate them).
    • Requirements for using a Helium tank on the TCNJ campus:
      • Do not bring the tank to campus before the day of the event (they cannot be stored or left inside or outside a campus building, but can be used inside to inflate balloons).
      • Remove the tank from campus after the event ends (they cannot be stored or left inside or outside a campus building, nor can they be disposed of on campus).
      • Properly empty and dispose of the tank at an off campus location (follow the manufacturer’s instructions for emptying and disposal). Tanks are usually steel and may be recyclable when empty. Check with your local area for recycling/disposal options.
      • Use caution when transporting or emptying the tank.
    • Requirements for using a Propane tank on the TCNJ campus:
      • Propane cannot be stored on campus in any indoor or outdoor location overnight. Schedule delivery and removal for the day of the event.
      • Never bring a propane tank inside a campus building.
      • Return the tank to where it was purchased/rented, or drop it off at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event (contact your county/area for dates). It is easier if you rent it from a vendor that will drop-off and pick-up the tank. Do not dispose of the tank in the trash or recycling (it is hazardous waste).
      • Always use caution when handling the tank, and prevent it from falling.
  • Vendors:
    • The permit obtained by The College of New Jersey does not apply to them.
    • The vendor must have and prominently display a permit from the Division of Fire Safety, as well as provide their own Class K fire extinguisher(s) and equipment.
  • Candle waivers:
    • All departments and student organizations that are requesting a candle waiver must be fully aware that only glass covered (globe) candles and votives that do not exceed the height of the glassware are permissible in non-residential buildings. Portable fire extinguishers must be readily accessible, and the location’s means of egress and/or evacuation plan must be known.
    • To request a candle waiver, please completely fill out the Candle Waiver Form and submit it to the Emergency Preparedness Manager for review.
  • Open Burning
    • Approval from the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety (NJDFS) through inspection and the issuance of a fire permit are required for the use of any open flame or flame-producing device, in connection with any public gathering, for the purpose of entertaining, amusement, recreation, or education.
    • Any open burning must be coordinated with our office and an online application for permit must be completed. The permit application information includes:
      • The location of the open burning.
      • Contact information, including telephone number for the individual responsible for the event. This individual must be present during the inspection performed by the NJDFS on the day of the event.
      • The date and time that the open burning will be set up for inspection.
      • All information regarding the opening burning process, including what is getting burned, how you are fueling the process, how far you will away from any building, etc.
      • A permit application fee of a $42.00 (amount subject to change) to the Division of Fire Safety. This can be paid online through the online permit application system.
    • Application package including fees must be submitted to the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety at least two weeks prior to the proposed event. Please contact the Emergency Preparedness Manager at extension 3269 to help with the logistics of the event well in advance from the proposed event date.
    • In addition to the application packet being sent directly to the NJDFS, a copy of the permit application is to be sent to the Emergency Preparedness Manager.
  • Tents
    • Tents of certain size require a permit from the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety (DFS). At least 4-weeks before the event, contact the TCNJ Fire Safety Specialist to obtain a “TCNJ Tent Permit Request Form” and to answer any questions you may have regarding tents and associated requirements for the tent.

Fire and Life Safety Systems

Sprinklers, Standpipes, Fire Pumps, Emergency Power Generators/Inverters, elevators, etc. are supervised by the Office of Emergency Preparedness.

Kitchen Suppression Systems

Our office currently manages the contract with the College’s Kitchen Hood Suppression Systems Contractor. The contractor is responsible for bi-annual maintenance and inspection of all kitchen hood suppression systems on campus. Reports of all deficiencies and violations are communicated to the Emergency Preparedness Manager for resolution. In the event of accidental or intentional activation of any kitchen hood suppression system, the Emergency Preparedness Manager serves as the emergency contact and will ensure that the system is recharged and restored by the vendor.

Impairment Management

The College’s Fire Safety Specialist position also serves as the Impairment Management Coordinator for The College of New Jersey. Any unplanned/emergency impairments of the systems or equipment detailed above are to be brought to the attention of the the Fire Safety Specialist. Planned impairments are not to be performed without the express consent and approval of the Fire Safety Specialist. Planned/scheduled impairments should be brought to the attention of the Fire Safety Specialist a minimum of 48 business hours in advance of the impairment. Depending upon the nature of the impairment, the Fire Safety Specialist may need to review the impairment on location with the individual(s) performing the work.

Reminders

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