Fire safety is a joint responsibility of the Departments of Public Safety and Facilities Management. Together, they ensure the University’s compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and other applicable fire safety laws and standards.
Public Safety officers receive annual training in the use of fire extinguishers and are trained to extinguish incipient stage fires at the Dempster Fire Training Center, Mercer County’s Fire Academy. Additionally, Public Safety is responsible for monitoring Rider’s fire alarm system, investigating the cause of alarm activations and providing fire safety education and training. This includes conducting all required fire drills.
All residence halls and Greek houses on both campuses are equipped with automatic fire sprinklers and a fire alarm system. Smoke detectors and sprinklers are located in all residence rooms. Rider’s fire safety equipment and systems, including fire extinguishers, are maintained by Facilities Management. To report problems, call (609)-896-5080 or file a work order request. After hour concerns should be reported to Public Safety at (609)-896-5029.
Fire suppression (firefighting) for the Lawrenceville campus is provided by the Lawrence Road Fire Company and the Princeton Engine Company for the Princeton campus.
The Fire Marshal’s Office of Lawrence Township (609-844-7018) and the Princeton Bureau of Fire Safety and Housing Inspection of (609-497-7646) are the “Local Enforcing Agency” for enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70 et seq.). They annually inspect all buildings on both campuses.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Rider’s fire safety and evacuation procedures.
Resources
- Campus Firewatch: Campus Firewatch is the only electronic newsletter focusing exclusively on campus fire safety. Each issue is filled with valuable information on campus fire safety, both on- and off-campus. If you are interested in subscribing to this informative newsletter, you can do it online.
- U.S. Fire Administration: Here you will find training and educational opportunities for the Fire Service, allied organizations and individuals working together in disasters and emergencies. Also available are fire statistics, publications, public fire education campaign materials, and information on fire service funding opportunities. Federal travelers will find a directory of approved, fire-safe hotels and for the general public, we offer information on home fire safety.
- The ABC's of Portable Fire Extinguishers: This program will show you the classifications of fire, the type of portable fire extinguishers and how to use fire extinguishers. Take a short true or false test and print a certificate of completion.
- Parents Have A Lot To Think About: The CBS Early Show Consumer Correspondent Susan Koeppen offers an eye opener report for parents and students. Seton Hall University Resident Assistant, Dana Christmas talks about the January 19, 2000, residence hall fire. See FM Global's burn demonstration of two typical dorm rooms. One room had a sprinkler, one did not.