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Environmental Initiatives and Sustainability
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Institutional Safety Division
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Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
When will there be a fire drill?
How do I know if the alarms are just being tested?
Where do I contact people in an emergency?
What about cleaning up blood spills?
Fire drills may be conducted on a random basis.
Alarm test announcements will be posted on all common entrances to a building on the day of the test. The anticipated test time will be listed. Evacuation is not necessary at this time. However, at all other times, when the fire alarm sounds, you should leave the building immediately--even if someone else tells you it is a 
. Do not use the elevator and do not assume it is an alarm test--fire alarms should never be taken lightly.
You may go back into the building when personnel from the Fire Dept., UMSL Police, or Environmental Health & Safety tell you it is safe to re-enter.
EHS responds to a fire alarm (24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year) to assist the Fire Department with building and room entry. EHS can also provide information about a particular area due to their familiarity with the buildings. The facilities personnel help locate the alarm area for the Fire Department by checking and operating the fire alarm control panel. While trained in fire-fighting techniques, EHS personnel do not fight fires unless the Fire Department asks for their assistance.
Fire alarm tests are scheduled in advance, with notices sent to key occupants in those buildings. These persons are responsible for informing the rest of the building occupants of the date and time of the test, and that it is not necessary to evacuate.
On a regularly scheduled basis, Facilities Maintenance checks and tests fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers and fire hoses. In accordance with State Law, fire alarms are tested at least once a year to make sure they are working properly in case of a real fire. No one is required to evacuate a building during a fire alarm test.
During a fire alarm test, all bells and/or horns are sounded first to make sure they are operating properly. This takes approximately three to five minutes. Then the bells are silenced and the rest of the system is tested. If a bell or horn does not work, it is turned over to the maintenance section of Facilities for repair. If you notice that a nearby bell or horn made no sound, bring it to the attention of Facilities personnel conducting the test.
Sprinklers are an important part of the fire protection system in many campus buildings. Like fire alarms, these systems are checked on a regular basis. Their purpose is to suppress a fire and keep it from spreading. Water flowing in the system triggers the fire alarm. Please report any leaking sprinkler equipment to Facilities at 516-6314 .
A popular activity in some buildings, "hall sports" (throwing objects like balls and Frisbees in hallways) can damage fire sprinkler system equipment. Designed to be sensitive to rising temperatures, sprinkler heads can be easily damaged when they are bumped. Likewise, hanging any objects or decorations from sprinkler heads and pipes can also cause damage.
Water from a sprinkler can leave oily stains on carpet and other furnishings. All repair costs due to negligence are charged to the department that sustained the damage. Residential Life is charged with any damage in residence halls--and will attempt to bill the person responsible in order to keep down costs.