Campus Fire and Security

An ongoing problem of extinguisher vandalism at this University results in expensive fines, clean-up costs, risks to student safety and the need for public emergency response.

Or so she thought that by using a fire extinguisher she'd get "a poof." Instead she got a big blast. Vandalism doesn’t always mean malicious, but the consequences of extinguisher vandalism are real.  Fines, evacuated dorms, clean up and in some cases … guilt. Warning: TV MA L

In what was the third vent fire in the school this year, the dynamic duo of the principal and custodian sprung into action simultaneously with a fire extinguisher to stem the flames while sounding the alarm to get the children to safety outside of the building. This one school is proof enough that it is VITAL that all fire extinguishers must be properly maintained and montitored for presence, pressure and accessibility.

Vicksburg-Warren School District Superintendent Price estimated the district has spent $25,000 to $30,000 on vandalism-related repairs and cleanup this year. "Those dollars have to come out of the general fund," Price said. No money is set aside for potential vandalism incidents and those costs are not covered by insurance, he said. As a result, Vicksburg-Warren School District officials are stepping up security and police are increasing patrols. Read More

The Principal put it out!  Good thing the fire extinguisher was ready when needed.

Duxbury Massachusetts, October 21st 2009

Trash bins in two boys bathrooms were set on fire not long after the start of classes at Duxbury Middle School, forcing the evacuation of the school.

Principal Blake Dalton used a fire extinguisher to douse the flames in both bathrooms shortly after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, fire Capt. Roger Ladd said.

Three dormitories at Middlebury College were evacuated when a small fire broke out in a dining hall kitchen.Spokeswoman Sarah Ray said two employees were cleaning the kitchen at about 5 a.m. Sunday when the fire ignited, apparently from of a propane leak.One employee put out the fire with an extinguisher while the other called for help. Nobody was hurt.Ray said the dining hall and adjacent residential halls were evacuated, with students able to return by 6:50 a.m.

Of the district's 128 schools, almost 50 did not pass inspections due to various problems, Seavert reported.  Fire inspectors found door hardware that was sometimes broken, blocked or locked.  One of the most common violations was fire extinguishers that expired.  In addition to schools missing monthly fire drills, 10 Investigates' records showed some schools did not post evacuation or exit plans which could cause confusion in case children file out fast in an emergency.

Yet another abuse of fire extinguishers in college dormitories. There is almost an unlimited supply of these videos out there. If dorm fire extinguishers were electronically monitored, it would save lives and dollars on every college campus in America.