Central Washington University | Fire Safety and Life Safety

Fire Safety and Life Safety

Portable Fire Extinguisher Training

Environmental Health & Safety contracts with Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue (KVFR) on a quarterly basis to perform fire extinguisher training for all faculty and staff. EH&S works with Human Resources’ Central Learning Academy to schedule these trainings. CWU-CLA posts in Central Today and on their webpage all upcoming safety trainings.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

Fire & Life Safety Inspections

The Ellensburg Fire Marshal performs both residential and academic/administrative building fire inspections for the campus each year. In conjunction with the fire inspection, EH&S performs life safety audits.
The most common violations are the improper use of extension cords and propping open fire doors.

Extension cords and flexible cords are not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. Extension cords and flexible cords shall not be affixed to structures, extended through walls, ceilings, or floors, or under doors or floor coverings, nor shall such cords be subject to environmental damage or physical impact. Extension cords shall be used only with portable appliances.

Common Fire Code Violations

On a regular basis, you should check your area to make sure you are in compliance with the International Fire Code:

Combustible waste material accumulation in a building or structure
Ceiling clearance not maintained (Sprinklered rooms 18-inches; Non-sprinklered rooms 24-inches)
Combustible materials stored in exits or exit enclosures
Combustible material stored in boiler, mechanical, or electrical room
Access to fire department equipment obstructed
Appliance not plugged directly into an outlet (non-portable)
Workspace clearance not maintained in front of electrical panel box 36-inches
Multi-plug adapters are non-compliant and shall be prohibited
Extension cords are being used in place of permanent wiring
Daisy chaining of power strips
Fire extinguisher obstructed or obscured from view
Means of egress are obstructed and not readily available for use
Exit blocked by furnishings or decorations
The required width of the egress aisle is not maintained
Quantities exceed the maximum allowed per control area
Rooms or cabinets containing compressed gas not labeled
Hazardous materials not properly stored- incompatible materials
Compressed gas cylinders not properly secured
Portable heaters not plugged in directly; kept 3 feet from combustibles

Fire Doors

Blocking/Propping Doors – Keeping fire doors open allows smoke and fire to travel through an uncontrolled avenue throughout the building. In order to reduce the spread of fire throughout the building, the following guidelines are provided below:

Fire/smoke-rated doors must not be kept open or blocked except with an approved automatic magnetic release device, which will release the door when any emergency alarm device is activated.
The self-closing devices on doors must not be disconnected or rendered inoperable.
If the door must be held open for the movement of furniture, equipment, or other large size or number of items, the person responsible for the move will provide an individual at the door to ensure the door is not left open if the building is evacuated.
"Door chocks" or "foot stops" must not be installed on any fire-rated door. Furniture, appliances, etc. must not be used to prop the door open.
Doors that need to be left open for high traffic areas or visual security may be so authorized by two options: 1) The automatic magnetic release device is installed in a facility that ties into the existing fire alarm system, or 2) The facility is a self-contained building. If one of these options is met, the door will require an automatic magnetic release device installed which will release the door when any emergency alarm device is activated.
Obstructions that will prohibit fire/smoke-rated doors from closing and latching without human intervention are not permitted.