The quickest way to decide is which dorm is the oldest, most hazard
prone, has the oldest electrical system, is in most danger of having a
disasterous fire due to the structural, electrical and system hazards.
All dorms share the same level of human hazards.

Dan Maas wrote:

> Here's a tough one for all of you,
>
> Does anyone have or know of a methodology of evaluating the fire
> safety of a residence hall or other facility for the purposes of
> ranking them for fire safety improvements?  Bringing every building
> up to current standards of fire protection is a great goal but it
> can't happen overnight.  We're trying to look at ALL of the factors
> in determining what gets upgraded first but it's a rather subjective
> process.  Type of construction, current detection, current
> sprinklers, egress distances, compartmentalization and other stuff
> all factor into it.  For example:
>
> Three buildings, all fire resistive construction.
> All have in room, local smoke detectors.
> None have corridor smoke detectors tied to the fire alarm.
>
> One has no sprinklers but is well compartmentalized into small units
> that have egress into a common hallway and egress directly outside.
>
> One has sprinklers in means of egress but is poorly compartmentalized
> with long hallways and spread out exit stairs.
>
> One has a full sprinkler system and is fairly well compartmentalized
> with short hallways off a common stairwell but the one stairwell is
> the only means of egress.
>
> Given all those factors, which building gets a new fire alarm system
> with corridor smoke detectors first?  What's the justification for
> doing one building before another?  I'm looking for a methodology
> that weights each factor appropriately.  Does anyone know of
> something like that from a recognized organization or has anyone
> developed your own ranking system?
>
> DANIEL MAAS      (607)254-1634     FAX: (607)255-1642
> Emergency Management Coordinator/Event Management Coordinator
> Fire Protection & Emergency Services
> Cornell University Environmental Health & Safety
> EH&S Bldg,  201 Palm Road, Ithaca, NY  14850
> email: [log in to unmask]
>
> ******************Disclaimer*************************
> The comments and views expressed in this communication are
> strictly my own and are not to be construed to officially represent
> those of my peers, supervisors or Cornell University