Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
Fire Safety Policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (BTSR)
buildings are used and maintained in a manner that will reduce the risk of fire and ensure that, should
a fire occur, building occupants will be able to safely evacuate from the buildings and gather at the
assembly point. This will ensure that all building occupants can be accounted for, and that the
Richmond Fire Department can be given accurate information upon their arrival.
Fire protection and prevention
The following measures are part of the design and construction of BTSR’s buildings. No-one is
allowed to tamper, alter or otherwise impede these features:
1. Every building has at least two stairwells. Self closing fire resistant doors have been provided
to ensure that, in the instance of a fire, at least one of those stairwells will not be smoke
logged. Therefore:
a. Fire doors opening onto stairwells must not be propped open;
b. No materials or goods shall be stored in any stairwells.
2. To provide safe access to the stairwells, all doors opening onto corridors are self closing and
fire resistant. Should a fire occur, self closing fire resistant doors help to contain the fire within
the original room. Therefore:
a. No-one shall disable, tamper with or otherwise alter a self closing device;
b. No-one shall alter, drill holes through, or otherwise alter a fire resistant door;
c. No-one shall leave a room unattended with the self closing-door propped open.
3. In order to reduce the risk of a fire being started, the following fire prevention measures shall
apply to all BTSR buildings:
a. Smoking is prohibited;
b. The use of any form of firework, including sparklers is prohibited;
c. Lighting or burning outdoor candles is prohibited;
d. Burning candles must not be left un-attended;
e. No more than 5 candles shall be lit at a time in any room;
f. Burning candles must be placed in suitably designed holders and surrounded by non-
combustible materials;
g. Incense shall not be burned (to prevent the fire detection system being activated);
h. Combustible materials shall not be draped or otherwise placed around light fittings,
lamps or candles;
i. Gasoline and other flammable liquids shall not be stored within the buildings;
j. No electrical appliance with a frayed or damaged cord shall be used until the cord or
appliance has been re-placed;
k. Extensions cords must be the correct length for the use – cords must be
fully extended before use,
not be bundled and
not be “daisy-chained”.
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
Fire Safety Policy
Fire Alarm
Graves Hall, Cochrane Hall (Third floor of Graves), Virginia Hall and Kraemer Hall are all fitted with
fire detection and alarm systems. It is an offence to disconnect or in any other way tamper with, alter
or damage a fire detector or alarm call point. Anyone found to have done so will be reported to the
Police and will be subject to disciplinary action by BTSR.
These alarm systems are all individually linked to a 24 hour alarm monitoring service. Therefore, if
the alarm sounds, for any reason, the call centre will contact:
1. Jay Hartman (BTSR maintenance contractor)
2. Richmond Fire Department.
As soon as the call is put through to the Richmond Fire Department, a Fire Truck will be dispatched to
the building from which the fire alarm has been raised. It is therefore imperative that occupants of the
buildings do not undertake any activities that will give rise to a false alarm being raised.
BTSR will ensure that the fire alarm systems are maintained not less than once every twelve months
and at least as often as is necessary to ensure the continual safe operation of the alarm system.
Should a battery within a smoke or heat detector require replacement, the occupier of the room or
apartment should notify the Maintenance office. A member of the maintenance team will ensure that
the battery is replaced without delay.
Sprinkler System
Graves Hall, Cochrane Hall (Third floor of Graves), Virginia Hall and Kraemer Hall are all fitted with
sprinkler systems. These systems, when activated, will spray water into the area affected by the fire.
Sprinkler systems have been proven to reduce the fire damage to a building when a fire occurs.
Building users must not:
Tamper with any sprinkler heads or any other part of the sprinkler system;
Cover or obstruct, in any way, any sprinkler head;
Deliberately cause a sprinkler head to activate.
Emergency Evacuation
Signs are posted around the buildings showing where emergency exits are located and how to
proceed from the building exit to the Assembly point. Upon hearing the alarm, everyone within the
building, must leave immediately and proceed to the Assembly Point. Notices to this effect are posted
within all classrooms and apartments. Failure to evacuate from a building during an emergency alarm
may result in a personal fine from the Richmond City Fire Department, as well as disciplinary action
by BTSR.
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
Fire Safety Policy
Upon hearing the alarm, anyone with a guest on site is to ensure their guest safely evacuates the
building. Teaching staff will ensure that those present in their classroom leave in an orderly manner
and head for the nearest available exit. Resident Advisors’ shall ensure that all residents are out of
their building.
Any disabled or injured persons shall await rescue by the Fire Department. If possible, disabled and
injured persons should make their way to the nearest smoke free stairwell and await rescue in the
stairwell after it has cleared of people. Anyone unable to make their way to a stairwell should ensure
the door to their room is closed, but not locked, and await rescue there.
Maintenance/Facility Management will take charge of the evacuation until the Fire Department arrives.
At this point they will advise the Fire Personnel in charge of any missing persons along with any other
information about the cause of the alarm.
BTSR will undertake emergency evacuation drills not less than every twelve months, and as often as
is considered necessary. These will be conducted without notice by the Maintenance and Facilities
Management Staff.
Fire Safety Education
As part of the annual Orientation week, a member of the Maintenance/Facilities Management team
will give training to all new students on BTSR’s fire safety and other emergency procedures. New
staff as part of their induction program will receive similar training. Ad hoc training will also be given
at Faculty meetings and Community conversation, as and when required.
Records
BTSR will keep files recording:
Procedure to notify all building occupants of an emergency;
A list of titles of persons and organizations responsible for assessing the nature of an
emergency and when it is safe to re-enter the building(s).
All instances of fire;
Any instances of injury or death due to fire;
All emergency evacuation drills and events;
The value of property destroyed by fire;
Fire safety education given to student’s, staff and other building users
These records shall be maintained by the Maintenance/Facilities Staff.
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
Fire Safety Policy
Appendix A
Emergency Evacuation Signs
EMERGENCY
PROCEEDURES
IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE:
a) Immediately operate the nearest fire alarm call point
b) If you are able to safely suppress the fire, do so
c) If you cannot suppress the fire, leave immediately by the nearest available exit
d) At the assembly point, advise the person in charge of the nature of the fire
IF YOU HEAR THE FIRE ALARM:
a) Leave the building by the nearest available exit
b) Gather at the assembly point in the parking lot on Westwood Ave. adjacent to
the Ginter Place Apartments
DO NO STOP TO COLLECT PERSONAL BELONGINGS;
DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR
DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL AUTHORIZED TO DO SO
Appendix B
Fire Records and Statistics
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
Fire Log
Date Time Cause and nature of fire Location Comments