Off Campus Housing Fire Safety
During your search for off-campus housing, please consider fire and life safety aspects within your decision-making process. Fire and other hazards are ever-present dangers in all environments, and especially in our homes. With the additional factors typically associated with college or university (off-campus) living, the odds of an emergency event increase. Historical data indicates factors that may contribute to the cause or severity of fires in off-campus student residential properties. The factors are:
- Lack of fire sprinkler protection
- Missing or disabled smoke and carbon monoxide detection
- Improper disposal of smoking materials
- Unattended cooking
- Increased numbers of occupants (including on other floors) increase odds of incidents
- Decision-making and reaction to sudden events impaired by alcohol consumption
As you search for your next apartment or home, please consider the building design and fire protection features that will help keep you safe in a fire or other hazardous condition.
In support of your housing search, the Tufts University Fire Safety Office recommends you download the Fire and Life Safety Guide for Off-Campus Housing.
This guide presents twenty (20) categories of fire safety-related features of building design, construction, fire protection devices, and behavioral issues by occupants, that factor into the overall safety of the building occupants. Each category lists protection levels on a scale from lowest to highest effectiveness for each topic. The guide should be utilized when comparing properties for potential rental.
This guide aims to provide a resource to measure fire and safety features of properties to aid your decision-making process when choosing your off-campus residence.