Environment, Health and Safety Manual – Chapter 04.10: Fire Safety – Fire and Life Safety Coordination

Environment, Health & Safety

Title

Environment, Health and Safety Manual – Chapter 04.10: Fire Safety – Fire and Life Safety Coordination

General

The UNC-CH Environment, Health and Safety Office is responsible for planning, coordinating, and monitoring the fire safety program for the University. Fire Safety, as used in the University’s Environment, Health and Safety Manual, includes those areas of safety commonly referred to as “life safety”. The Environment, Health and Safety Office has been designated as the liaison between the University and the Chapel Hill Fire Department for matters involving fire safety.

Places of Assembly

The Environment, Health and Safety Office will work with departments having places of assembly, other than regularly scheduled classrooms, with a capacity of 300. A life safety inspection is conducted annually of all places of public assembly.

Fire Marshal

The UNC-CH Fire Marshal, or designee, must perform a pre-event inspection and be on-site for the following specific locations:

  • Kenan Stadium: When more than 6,000 persons are anticipated or more than 100 persons occupy the Press Box.
  • Smith Center: When more than 6,000 persons are anticipated.
  • Other Locations: When more than 3,000 persons are anticipated.

Fire Lanes

Fire lanes are designated on roads and driveways internal to the UNC-CH campus. Fire lanes will be established in accordance with NFPA Codes and in consultation with the Chapel Hill Fire Department. Departments desiring to establish or to modify a fire lane, permanently or temporarily, are to direct their request to the University Fire Marshal.

Command Operations

When an event is of such a nature that a command operations post is established, the University Fire Marshal, or designee, is to be included at the command post.

Laser Light Shows

The use of lasers for light shows or for other entertainment applications on campus must, at a minimum, comply with safety guidelines and regulations established by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Requests for authorization to use lasers in performances are to be submitted in writing to the Environment, Health and Safety Office, attention of the University Fire Marshal. The request for authorization is to include: the date(s) and time of performance(s); the name, affiliation, address, and phone number of the operator; and the class of the laser and the name of the manufacturer. If a Class IIIb or IV laser is to be used, documentation (an accession and variance number) must be submitted to demonstrate that a variance has been obtained from FDA.

Notifications

In addition to the events listed above, persons undertaking the following operations shall notify the University Fire Marshal in advance.

  • Application of flammable finishes within occupied buildings
  • Blasting operations
  • Impairments to fire alarm or fire protection systems
  • Impairments to life safety
  • Insecticide fogging
  • Open flames within buildings except for laboratory and other uses that are a part of the regular academic and research environment
  • Power outages, planned
  • Welding near combustible materials

Specific procedures for making such notifications are contained in the Industrial, Maintenance, and Construction Safety Manual.

Contact Information

Policy Contact

Environment, Health and Safety
1120 Estes Drive
Campus Box #1650
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-1650
Phone: 919-962-5507

Back to Chapter 04.09 – Sign and Tag Requirements for Accident Prevention

Proceed to Chapter 04.11 – Obtaining Approval of the Use of Pyrotechnics

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