State Fire Marshal's Office
Third Report on State University Fire Safety Projects
To the Senate Finance Committee and House Appropriations Committee As required by House Bill 1 Article III Section 39
January - April 2000 The Texas Department of Insurance, State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) is required to periodically report on the progress of institutions of higher education in remedying the fire safety issues identified by the State Fire Marshal's Office. (House Bill 1, Article III, Section 39. Fire Safety Projects at Institutions of Higher Education)
Information provided by:
Wayne Smith
Director of Fire Safety Inspections
State Fire Marshal's Office
Mail Code 108-FM
P.O. Box 149221
Austin, TX 78714-9221
Information provided to:
House Appropriations Committee
Texas House of Representatives
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
Senate Finance Committee
Texas Senate
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711-2068
The State Fire Marshal's Office is pleased to update the progress of its State University Fire Safety Projects. Following are the highlights of inspections conducted since the last report on this project, issued in December 1999. The SFMO recognizes the importance of this endeavor, which results in increased fire safety at state universities.
Recent Fire-Related Events
- In February 2000, an electrical short in a malfunctioning light fixture at the University of Texas Jester Dormitory caused a fire alarm that resulted in total evacuation of the building. The Austin Fire Department responded. No damage was reported and no injuries occurred.
- In February 2000, Texas Tech University reported an arson fire in a storage room of a cafeteria connected to a high-rise dormitory. The alarm system of the dormitory was activated and the dormitory was successfully evacuated. The Lubbock Fire Department responded and damage was confined to the cafeteria storage room; no injuries occurred.
- In March 2000, Texas A&M University had a vandalism fire which burned paper attached to a dorm room door and damaged the door. An alarm sounded, the building was evacuated, and the College Station Fire Department responded. Minor damage to the door was reported; no injuries occurred.
- In April 2000, Southwest Texas State University had a construction accident that ruptured a natural gas line outside two dormitories. This resulted in the evacuation of two dormitories and some academic buildings until the gas line could be repaired. No fire resulted from the incident and no injuries occurred.
Current Status as of April 2000
- University of Texas System: Ordered a survey at all facilities of all buildings to record compliance with current fire safety requirements. Provided fire safety code training to system and campus staff.
- University of Texas Austin: Realigned and expanded Safety Department. Hired fire protection engineering firms to assist in project development and needs assessments. Renovation of Jester Dormitory in construction phase; work is progressing on schedule.
- University of Texas El Paso: One building vacated. Approximately 140 residents reside in second dormitory. Construction to begin in June 2000 on replacement housing.
- Texas Tech University: Completed installation of sprinkler system and other corrections to one dormitory. Construction contracts awarded and work commenced on the other two high-rise projects.
- West Texas A&M: Completed repairs of outstanding fire safety conditions; the university is no longer under the provisions of its order.
- Texas A&M Commerce: Temporarily vacated high-rise dormitory; work is under way to correct deficiencies.
- Stephen F. Austin State University: Construction in progress at one high-rise dormitory; a second high-rise is in project development.
- Southwest Texas State University: Three high-rise dormitories in financing and project development stages.
- Texas Woman's University Denton: Funding secured, engineering design work progressing for high-rise academic buildings projects.
- Texas Woman's University Houston: Continued use plans and repair project scope under review.
- University of Houston Downtown: Renovation of academic building under way.
- Sul Ross State University: Construction renovations for low-rise dormitories under way.
- Texas A&M University College Station: Renovations under way on inspected dormitories.
State Fire Marshal Phase II Inspections
In February 2000, the State Fire Marshal's Office began inspecting all state higher education dormitories and housing facilities not previously inspected. This series will complete initial inspection of all state university housing. Copies of the individual reports are available on request.
Inspections conducted February-April 2000
University of Texas Pan American
University of Texas Permian Basin
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston
University of Texas Medical Branch Tyler
Texas A&M University Galveston
Texas A&M University International Laredo
Stephen F. Austin State University
Southwest Texas State University
Texas State Technical College Harlingen
University of Houston Clear Lake
University of North Texas
University of Texas Arlington
University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
Texas A&M University Commerce
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Texas A&M University Kingsville
Sam Houston State University
Tarleton State University
Texas Southern University
Texas State Technical College Sweetwater
Midwestern State University
University of Houston
The following universities voluntarily requested the State Fire Marshal's assistance in assessing fire safety needs. They are correcting all deficiencies that were noted.
Angelo State University
University of Texas Brownsville
University of Texas San Antonio
University of Texas Southwest Medical San Antonio
University of Texas Tyler
Highlights of Findings
Phase II inspections continue to identify serious fire safety deficiencies in campus housing, including inadequate fire and smoke detection and alarm systems, absence of door closures, placement of exits, general maintenance, and a noticeable lack of procedures or enforcement of policies for fire safety such as: emergency preparedness and evacuation, cooking or presence of open flame (candles) in rooms.
SFMO Orders for Action
- Stephen F. Austin University was ordered to install battery-operated smoke detectors in 2000 dormitory rooms immediately.
- Southwest Texas State University was ordered to install battery-operated smoke detectors in thirteen housing and dormitory facilities.
- Tarleton State University was ordered to install battery operated detectors in eleven dormitories.
- Midwestern State University was ordered to install battery operated detectors in two dormitories.
All four universities immediately complied with the orders.
Inspections to be completed by August 31, 2000
The University of Texas Austin
University of Texas Dallas
Texas A&M University College Station
West Texas A&M
Lamar University Beaumont
Prairie View A&M University
Texas State Technical College Waco
Texas A&M University Medical Center
Texas Tech University
Commissioner Action April 21, 2000
Department of Insurance Commissioner Jose Montemayor sent a letter to each public and private university (sample copy attached). The letter urged each university to work with local fire officials in assuring that off-campus housing meets fire safety standards and that the private universities have their on-campus housing inspected by the local fire authorities having jurisdiction. The letter also offered the services of the State Fire Marshal's Office as needed.
Sample copy of letter sent to all public and private universities
April 21, 2000
Dr. Richard N. Buchanan, President
The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
3302 Gaston
Dallas, Texas 75266-0677
Dear President Buchanan:
The State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) under the leadership of State Fire Marshal G. Mike Davis is engaged in a program of fire safety inspection of housing facilities operated, owned and under the direction of state institutions of higher education. This inspection program, under my direction, was begun after a fire incident in a high rise dormitory at one of our higher education institutions. The inspection program has resulted in the upgrading of minimum fire safety standards in most student housing units.
Unfortunately, some housing units are not included in our inspection program. Private institutions are subject to local fire safety regulations. Additionally, a large number of students reside in co-op, and fraternity or sorority housing. These housing units, both on and off campus, can be the site of avoidable tragedies as recent injuries and deaths in student housing units have illustrated. These tragic incidents are preventable and could have been avoided.
I am urging all institutions of higher education, both public and private to work with state and local fire safety authorities to ensure the safety of all students. I urge all private institutions of higher education to work with their local fire safety officials in determining whether student-housing units meet minimum local fire and building code standards by requesting safety inspections. I urge all state and private educational institutions to incorporate a review of fire safety for all Greek or other university affiliated groups that may provide off-campus housing for students. An annual fire safety inspection report should be required of each organization that provides off campus student housing.
The SFMO is available as a resource to higher education institutions and to local fire safety officials to answer questions concerning fire safety at higher education institutions. For more information, you may contact Mr. Wayne Smith, Director of Inspections, SFMO, (512) 305-7911. I am very concerned about these situations and I know that you share my desire to avert any future losses.
Sincerely,
Jose Montemayor
Commissioner of Insurance
cc: Danny Millaway, Fire Chief, City of Dallas
For more information contact: Fire.Marshal@tdi.state.tx.us
Texas Department of Insurance
