• Portfolio
• Library
• Offices
• Directory
• Calendar

• About
• Admission
• Academics
• Campus Life
• Athletics
• Alumni
• Parents

System-connected Smoke Detectors

System-connected smoke detectors are connected to an automatic fire alarm system. They will activate the building fire alarm system, including notification devices when they sense smoke, steam, excessive dust or even hair spray or spray air freshener. When the fire department responds to a fire alarm call, they look for the activated detector to determine the cause of the activation. If the fire alarm goes off, call Public safety to report details about the incident.

Heat Detectors

Heat detectors are installed in all kitchens, basements and attics of woodframe houses. They will activate when the air around them reaches a sustained temperature of about 135 ° F. This usually happens when there is an active fire, but a large cloud of steam may also activate a heat detector. Mostly they are installed on the ceiling in the kitchen, but some are installed on the wall right above or next to the stove. There have been very few instances in woodframes that the heat detector has activated the building fire alarm system. It is usually smoke from cooking that activates the closest smoke detector, which are located in the common areas – living room and hallways – near the kitchen. Use caution when lifting the lid from a boiling pot of water – if the steam is released slowly there should not be an activation of a heat detector.

Local Smoke Alarms

When activated, these smoke alarms only sound in the room or area where they sense smoke. They DO NOT sound a building-wide alarm and are not connected to a fire alarm system. If a smoke alarm sounds, check for smoke (maybe something in the kitchen?) and call Public Safety or 911. If there is a fire, you must notify other building occupants to evacuate the building.

 Manual Pull Station

Pulling the handle of a manual pull station activates the building fire alarm system in the event of an emergency. The pull station should only be used if there is an active fire or a smell of smoke, and the automatic fire alarm system has not yet activated. Evacuate the building immediately and call Public Safety or 911 to report the incident.

 Horn/Strobe (Notification) Devices

When the building fire alarm system is activated, the bell, buzzer or horn and strobe device is activated to alert building occupants that there is an emergency in the building. As soon as you hear this very loud alarm or see the strobes flashing, evacuate the building by the nearest exit. Once outside, call Public Safety to notify them of the incident.

Fire Sprinkler System 

Types of Fire Sprinklers

All Woodframe houses with 5 or more occupants have a residential fire sprinkler system installed. The red glass tube in the center of the sprinkler is heat and pressure sensitive. When the glass breaks, either by heat from a fire or from physical damage, water discharges from the head at about 75 gallons per minute.  Only the sprinkler heads in the vicinity of the fire will be activated, and the fire alarm system or smoke detectors DO NOT activate the sprinklers.

The sprinkler systems are connected to the fire alarm system and if activated by flowing water, the notification appliances will alert building occupants and the fire department will be notified. Do not try to stop the water from spraying – the water pressure may cause injuries. Evacuate the building and call Public Safety to report the incident.

Make sure the access to the basement is clear – the fire department personnel have to get down there to turn off the water.