GLASSBORO, N.J. (PRWEB) September 22, 2020
Rowan University’s Emergency Medical Services and the Glassboro Fire Department responded to a fire on September 9 at the Holly Pointe Commons Hall. One person was transported to the hospital due to injuries.
The Glassboro Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating the fire, which allegedly started from a hoverboard in the residence hall.
The fire sprinkler system in the dorm reacted to the heat and was able to prevent the fire from spreading.
“Thank goodness for the sprinkler system, that fire was basically knocked down by the time the fire department showed up,” Michael Kantner, assistant vice president of public safety, told the Whit, Rowan’s newspaper.
Fire sprinklers have been required in all New Jersey college dormitories since a fire at Seton Hall in 2000 caused the deaths of three students and injured 56 students, police officers and firefighters. In the wake of the tragic fire, the State required that all newly constructed dorms be equipped with fire sprinklers and that all existing dorms be retrofitted as well.
It just so happens that this hoverboard fire occurred during Campus Fire Safety Month, which is an initiative backed by the National Fire Protection Association, the National Fire Sprinkler Association, and numerous other organizations dedicated to life safety. These associations work in tandem to make fire safety knowledge readily available to students, parents, and campus staff through online materials, classes geared to students and campus staff, and live fire safety demonstrations that showcase how quickly fire spreads and how fire sprinklers operate to contain them.
The National Fire Sprinkler Association PenJerDel Chapter and the New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board are proud to report on this sprinkler save that occurred during Campus Fire Safety Month and would like to thank the Glassboro Fire Department and Rowan Emergency Services, not only for their quick response, but for their favorable reporting of fire sprinklers as well.
And while having both fire sprinklers and smoke detectors in a dorm is the best way to keep safe from a fire, students should still know how to minimize their fire risk. The NJFSAB and NFSA PenJerDel Chapter welcome all parents, students and faculty members to visit Saveandprotect.org to learn more about how to stay fire safe in a dorm and learn more about how fire sprinklers operate. The NJFSAB and NFSA are your free resource for anything fire safety related, so do not hesitate to reach out with any questions regarding fire safety.