Awareness, prevention goals of side-by-side fire demo

All UNC Charlotte residence halls have fire alarms and sprinklers, and probably most off-campus housing offers protection for students. But fire prevention is a topic that warrants near-constant reminders, because a combustible event could have disastrous results.

To illustrate just how dangerous fire in a residence hall or an off-campus apartment could be, the University’s Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHS) is conducting a simulation and awareness event from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 29, at the basketball court near Martin Hall (close to Parking Lot 6).

“Fire alarms provide warning, and sprinkler systems are powerful tools to extinguish blazes, but it is important that students who live on campus and off campus remain vigilant to the danger that fire presents, especially in close living quarters, such as residence halls and apartment complexes,” said Lamont Baldwin, fire and life safety manager with the Environmental Health and Safety Office.

He said the March 29 side-by-side fire demonstration will depict two rooms of the same size, with furniture that is typical for a residence hall or apartment. One room will be equipped with a sprinkler system and smoke detector.

Attendees will watch as a fire is started at the same time in both rooms (around 2 p.m.), and they will observe how long it takes for the smoke detector to sound and the sprinklers to initiate and extinguish the blaze.

“More importantly, they’ll discover just how little time they’d have to escape a room without any protections,” stated Baldwin.

In addition to the demonstration, EHS representatives will conduct hands-on fire extinguisher training, and there will be speakers, informational tables and interactive games and giveaways designed to educate individuals about fire safety and prevention.

Co-sponsors for the March 29 side-by-side demo are Fire and Safety Technologists, Charlotte Fire Department, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Nu Rho chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.