The danger of fires in residence halls became all too apparent when three students died in a fire at Seton Hall University on Jan. 19. Many of the 640 residents of Boland Hall said that at first they ignored the alarm, which sounded at about 4:30 a.m. The six-story residence hall had 18 false alarms since September 1999.

The question of sprinkler systems was raised after the tragedy occurred. New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman announced that she would consider legislation requiring sprinkler systems in all college dormitories.

On Saint Louis University’s Frost and Health Sciences Campus, 18 buildings have sprinkler systems, including Marguerite Hall and the Student Village Apartments. In addition, seven other buildings have partial sprinkler systems to protect select areas.

As part of Project SLU2000 sprinkler systems will be installed in residence halls, beginning with Griesedieck and Reinert Halls. Work on these residence halls is scheduled to begin this May. Smith said that because of its size, the Griesedieck system may take two summers to complete.

“Sprinkler systems are designed to suppress a fire and to not let it get out of control,” stated Charles Smith, associate vice president of facilities management. “The first lines of defense, however, are progressive and well-practiced safety procedures coupled with common sense to prevent a fire in the first place.”

As for the remaining residence halls, Smith stated, “The University will study the other residence halls one by one. We will examine the necessary engineering, methods of installation, scheduling options . Sprinkler system installation will be scheduled in these residence halls based on study results.”

Smith stated that the issue of installing sprinkler systems in residence halls rose when Project SLU2000 initiatives were being developed.

“Back in 1998 . the University identified the importance of sprinkler systems in residence halls,” Smith stated. “The present SLU2000 budget earmarks $6.4 million for installation of sprinkler systems in residence halls.”

On a related note, the current battery-operated smoke detector systems in Griesedieck and Reinert Halls will be hard-wired electronically.

“While there has not been a specific incident that called for the use of sprinkler systems in residence halls, we are continually addressing our emergency systems and constantly reevaluating our safety efforts,” Smith stated. “We work closely with students to achieve our fire safety goals.”

Smith listed careless smoking, burning candles or other open flames, overloading electrical circuits and poor housekeeping as potential causes for a fire.

As another precaution, fire drills are conducted at least once every semester. Fire drills-planned before the Seton Hall fire-took place this past weekend at all residence halls.

“Students have a responsibility to the extent that they don’t jeopardize the safety of others,” said Leonard Jones, director of the Department of Residence Life.

Jones stressed how important it is for students to observe designated rules, including participation in fire drills and taking responsibility for their own safety.

“I think it’s important to educate students to know what fire alarms sound like,” Jones said. “[Fire drills] give people-especially any new residents-the opportunity to hear what [the alarm] sounds like.”

“The weather is less than ideal,” Jones said, “but we want it as lifelike as possible . As with most things, it’s a balance of comfort and convenience.”

Jones added that the St. Louis Fire Department is invited to observe all drills. “It’s in SLU’s best interest,” he said. “If there’s something they had to come to, they would know the structure of the building.”

Members of the departments of Residence Life, Risk Management, Facilities Management and Public Safety and student representatives will evaluate the drills’ effectiveness at a follow-up summary meeting.

“We feel like we’re doing all we can do,” Jones said. “If there’s something more, we’re certainly willing and able to look at that.”