Fire safety equipment is present in all buildings on campus. The specific type of fire safety equipment varies from building to building. For additional information or to determine which types of safety equipment are in your building, please contact firesafety@ehs.msstate.edu.
Types of Safety Equipment
Clean Agent Systems
NFPA 2001 has defined the term “clean agent” as an electrically non-conductive, volatile, or gaseous fire extinguishing agent that does not leave a residue upon evaporation. A clean agent fire suppression system will take either an inert gas or a chemical that is stored in a container and discharge it, when necessary, to extinguish a fire in its incipient stage.
There are several clean agent systems on campus. These systems operate automatically through the activation of initiation devices, or by a manual pull station. The clean agent systems are inspected semi-annually. EH&S coordinates the inspections and maintenance of the clean agent systems. For additional information, please contact EH&S at firesafety@ehs.msstate.edu.
Egress and Emergency Lighting
Egress lighting illuminates the travel path from an occupied space of a building to the outside of the building. Whereas emergency lighting (while similar) must remain on during a power outage for 90 minutes.
When the power goes out it is important to provide the occupants' illumination so the building will not pitch dark. All buildings on campus have egress lighting and emergency lighting.
Evacuation Plans
The primary focus of evacuation plans is to prepare for and define roles for the evacuation and relocation of occupants during an emergency. The evacuation plan is important for both emergency responders and building occupants. It focuses the occupants’ activities on facilitating a smoother evacuation or relocation process and provides the fire department with critical information on the building and the location of the occupants.
The majority of the buildings on campus have evacuation plans. If you are interested in obtaining an evacuation plan for your building, please contact firesafety@ehs.msstate.edu.
Fire Alarm Systems
Many of the facilities on campus are equipped with a fire alarm system, including all residential halls and fraternity and sorority row. All the fire alarm systems on campus are monitored by MSU PD 24/7, with residential halls and fraternity and sorority row dual monitored.
Fire Drills
Fire drills are conducted in by EH&S to familiarize occupants with drill procedures and to ensure that the fire alarm system is functioning properly.
Fire drills are conducted in residence halls twice a year, once in the evenings, and once during the day. Fire drills are conducted in all other buildings at least once a year. For additional information or to schedule a fire drill for your building, please contact firesafety@ehs.msstate.edu.
Fire Alarm Procedures
When the fire alarm activates, evacuate the building immediately. Do not assume it is a “false alarm”. All fire alarms should be treated as if they are real fire alarms.
- Do not use elevators.
- Close all doors to help control or prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
- Help others to that require additional assistance move to the designated area of assembly and notify first responders of their location.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are inspected and certified annually, as required by NPFA 10. EH&S is responsible for maintaining all fire extinguishers on campus, this includes the annual inspection and required maintenance (recharging, 6-year maintenance, and hydrostatic testing). For specific information on types of fire extinguishers, or to report a missing or discharged fire extinguisher, please contact firesafety@ehs.msstate.edu.
EH&S in coordination with Starkville Department offers hands-on fire extinguisher training. This training will demonstrate the proper techniques for using a fire extinguisher and will discuss the different types of fire extinguishers used for different fires. To schedule fire extinguisher training, please contact firesafety@ehs.msstate.edu.
Kitchen Fire Suppression Hoods
Commercial kitchen hood suppression systems are located as required by code on campus in multiple facilities. These facilities include dining facilities, concession stands, teaching locations, etc. Kitchen fire suppression hoods required semi-annual inspections and certifications, and periodic cleaning, as required by the amount of use.
EH&S coordinates the inspections, certifications, and cleaning of all fire suppression hoods on campus. In addition to scheduling, EH&S coordinates maintenance, repairs, and recharging of the fire suppression systems. For additional information and/or report a damaged or discharged fire suppression hood, please contact firesafety@ehs.msstate.edu.
Sprinkler Systems
Multiple buildings on campus are equipped with an automatic sprinkler system. All residential halls and all the houses on fraternity and sorority row are fully sprinklered. The type of sprinkler system in each building varies depending on the condition of the building. Sprinkler systems are designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13, and inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25.
EH&S has (2) fire safety specialists, one being NICET III certified to conduct inspections, testing, and maintenance on sprinkler systems. All sprinkler systems on campus are inspected semi-annually, and all backflow preventers associated with sprinkler systems are inspected annually. All valves associated with sprinkler systems are both tampered and locked with a chain and padlock. All valves are inspected monthly by EH&S’s fire safety specialists.
There are multiple buildings on campus that required a fire pump. A fire pump provides water flow at a higher pressure to the sprinkler system risers and standpipes. The majority of the fire pumps are in the larger and taller buildings on campus. Fire pumps are designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 20, and inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25.
Portable, Electric Space Heaters
The use of space heaters on campus must comply with OP 95.502: Use of Portable, Electric Space Heaters policy. Space heaters are to be UL Listed and must have a tip-over switch. These heaters are to be plugged directly into a wall outlet and not into a surge protector. EH&S recommends the space heater provided in the link below. The recommended heater is roughly $40 after utilizing the Mississippi State contract price. Reference the policy for more information.