Rick Sadlier, fire and life safety officer for Mercyhurst, is responsible for campus life safety protection in addition to being the liaison with contractors for maintaining codes and standards. Sadlier’s experience includes career firefighter for the City of Erie, Pennsylvania, fire inspector, fire prevention specialist, certified origin/cause of fire investigator, certified EMT and NFPA certified fire inspector.

Mercyhurst College has more than 3,000 students, 500 employees, 125 faculty members and is located on three campuses within 57 buildings. Mercyhurst College, founded in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy, is a fully accredited, four-year, Catholic comprehensive institution, in Erie, Pennsylvania. It is ranked in the top tier of “Best Universities: Master’s” in the 2008 U.S. News & World Report on “America’s Best Colleges.” The college offers more than 100 majors, minors and concentrations, as well as unique post baccalaureate advanced certificate programs and six master’s degree programs. In addition, Mercyhurst provides certificate and associates degree programs at branch campuses in North East, Girard and Corry, Pennsylvania. Learn more at www.mercyhurst.edu.

What types of smoke and other detection devices are on your campus?

Nearly 100 percent of all Mercyhurst’s buildings are protected by automatic fire alarm systems installed in compliance with NFPA 72, ICC/IFC occupancy requirements. Certain student residences (townhouses) are equipped with interconnected single/multi-station smoke detection in accordance with applicable sections of NFPA 72, ICC/IFC for household warning equipment. We use primarily photoelectric smoke detectors that are comprised of several manufacturers of FACP devices. We are currently streamlining the process and focusing on solitary manufacturers for compatibility and integrating multiple systems from various manufacturers to operate as a single unit.

How often are devices inspected?

Our automatic fire alarm systems and associated smoke, heat, initiation and notification devices are continuously monitored. Single- and multi-station detectors are used locally. All of our installed fire detection systems and equipment are periodically inspected and maintained for proper working order in accordance with chapter 7 of NFPA 72. In addition, all systems are tested annually by an approved independent agency.

What are Mercyhurst’s procedures for dealing with false alarms and fire drills?

All systems and equipment are maintained to function as designed. We have an annual average of less than six false alarm activities by manual means. These incidents are followed up and addressed by the college. In areas subject to impact, the manual fire pull stations are protected by approved covers to prevent accidental activations. Transmitted active fire alarms by initiation device, which were a result of system trouble, are identified and corrected in a timely manner. We conduct monthly fire exit drills in all freshmen housing.

How has Mercyhurst responded to the need for mass notification?

Mercyhurst launched a text message emergency notification system in 2007 called e2Campus to extend the reach of existing emergency notification measures. It includes campus wide e-mails and Web page updates to alert students anywhere, any time. Also, the college has both radio and television stations, and these media outlets are included in our emergency preparedness planning.

What is your relationship with the local fire department?

We have an excellent relationship with the City of Erie Fire Department as I am a retiree after a 31-year career. Unfortunately, in this and many areas of the country, economic conditions are affecting the function of public safety. To compensate, proper and expanded fire protection systems and structures are becoming a more important strategy to ensure life safety and protect property.

How do you accommodate physically challenged students and staff?

A percentage of our student housing units contain ADA-compliant alarm system notification and activation devices to accommodate persons with disabilities. General building protection systems are compliant with ADA where required and are periodically upgraded when necessary. Directional sounders are a new technology that I highly recommend for new construction and addition/expansions to existing systems.

Pennsylvania has carbon monoxide (CO) legislation pending. How will that affect Mercyhurst?

Addressable CO detection should become a standard for fire alarm systems, including retrofitting of existing systems. One of the questions I would ask is: Will the CO detection legislation be directed to meet code compliance?

What is your role in renovations or new construction?

Life safety is a critical component of the plans review process. My participation is for the review of the fire protection systems and structures of the building. My role is to ensure all life safety requirements are met and suggest additions, expansions and compliance.

How does Mercyhurst handle fire-related accident investigation and documentation?

All received fire alarm activations are followed up. When there is an actual smoke or fire associated with the event, a complete investigation is conducted and a report is generated. In the case that an injury is associated with the event, a detailed investigation is conducted and documented, including all outside resources by requirement or request.

How do you respond to student inquiries about careers in fire service?

Periodically, students will inquire about a career in fire service and we enthusiastically provide information on all areas of fire service. Also, my credentials in fire investigation and fire code/inspection experience provide me with the opportunity to conduct lectures for several majors. This class instruction usually generates student interest in the area of fire scene investigation and code and inspection applications.

What do you see for the future of fire and life safety on college campuses?

Fire safety professionals across America agree that the direction of the fire service is changing. As we become more proactive, it is becoming more focused on prevention and protection. This includes modern fire detection systems and the fire sprinklering of buildings. Today’s new buildings are better protected with detection devices, noncombustible and fire-resistant materials and sprinkler systems as opposed to 50 or 60 years ago.

Life on college campuses and in off-campus housing is a real concern and has made tragic headlines. Fire safety and prevention information delivery has made significant gains with the emergence of organizations that specifically target schools, colleges and universities.

There are approximately 17 million students enrolled in colleges and universities across the U.S. Reaching out to these students and making them more aware of fire safety is becoming a national trend and is changing the pattern and delivery of fire safety. These informed college students will be the decision-makers of tomorrow and will create a safer and better informed world.

Tags: Carbon monoxide, Mass Notification, Smoke detection

Posted in Audible/Visible Notification, Building Codes, Carbon Monoxide Detection, Education, Mass Notification, Q & A : Ask the Expert, Winter 2008