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Policy Contact: Office of Emergency Management

1. Purpose

   This policy and its procedures regarding fire safety and fire safety authority for the University and fire safety education serves to promote the safety of the University community and prevent damage to University property in accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (“HEOA”), Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”), SDBOR and University policies and South Dakota state law. This policy is subject to the provisions of the University Emergency Management Plan.

2. Definitions
    
   1. Fire Inspection: Routine or non-routine visual inspection of a facility to confirm compliance with Fire Codes.
       
   2. Fire Codes: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is the recognized standard for life and health safety requirements.
       
   3. University Fire Safety Policies: Polices that are in addition to Fire Codes that are University specific. Such policies address areas not covered in the Fire Code or enhance the Fire Code. These policies shall not be less restrictive than Fire Code.
       
   4. University Fire Official: Authorized by the University President and assigned to the Office of Emergency Management, the University Fire Official, working with the State Fire Marshal, the Fire Code Official, the Brookings Fire Department (“BFD”), the University Office of Facilities and Services, and other offices, ensures coordination of University compliance with applicable Fire Codes and University fire safety policies and coordination of fire safety training.
       
3. Policy
    
   1. The University is committed to following fire safety standards and practices as articulated by the applicable provisions of ARSD Article 61:15 and its incorporated provisions as well as amendments thereto, SDCL chapter 34-29B, SDBOR and University Policies, and any applicable federal rules and regulations.
       
   2. This policy is applicable to all members of the University community including staff, faculty, students, visitors, and contractors. Specifically, the University endeavors to ensure the following:
      1. Compliance with Fire Codes and University Fire Safety Policies in all University buildings and property;
      2. Development and implementation of fire safety training and informational materials to provide faculty, staff, and students with a working knowledge of fire safety practices and evacuation policy and procedures;
      3. All premises owned or occupied by the University receive a Fire Inspection at reasonable intervals; and
      4. Measures are taken to identify and mitigate potential fire risk in buildings and on University property.
          
   3. Fire alarm testing, drills, and maintenance and fire extinguisher inspections and maintenance will be conducted in accordance with University Policy 10:9, Fire Alarm System Response, Maintenance, and Testing and University Policy 10:15, Fire Extinguisher Inspections.
       
   4. The Fire Watch Activity Log Worksheet is required when there is a planned fire system impairment or fire watch at the University.
      1. The form is used to document the name of the person(s) conducting the fire watch, to record the time the patrol completed each tour of the facility, and to provide a record of any communications(s) to the Brookings Fire Department.
      2. This form must be signed by the building manager(s) of the facility, the Associate V.P. for Facilities and Services, the Brookings Fire Chief, and the University Fire Official.
      3. The Fire Watch Activity Log Worksheet will be kept on file with the renovation or maintenance project file that initiated the fire watch.
          
   5. Each year, the University through its Office of Student Affairs shall disclose fire safety information in compliance with the HEOA, as amended, and the Clery Act.
       
   6. The University Fire Official, successor, or designee is responsible for the implementation of this policy, including the development and implementation of fire safety training, the development and dissemination of fire and related emergency evacuation protocols, and the development and dissemination of procedures for fire-related activities.

4. Responsible Administrator

   The Vice President and General Counsel, or designee, is responsible for the bi-annual and ad hoc review of this policy and its procedures. The University President is responsible for approval of this policy.

Approved by President on November 6, 2019. Revised 02/01/2024 (clerical). Revised; Approved by President on 10/01/2024. Revised 11/19/2024 (clerical).

Sources: ; ; ; ; University Policies 10:9 and 10:15

Associated Forms: Fire Watch Activity Log Worksheet