Randy,

Call the NFPA and ask for a copy of "School, College and University
Dormitories, And Fraternity and Sorority Huse Fires".  This document
is available from their one stop data shop. This report will show
that on average between 1992 and 1996 10% of fires in these
facilities were caused by smoking.

You should also ask for the NFPA fire investigation report from the
Chapel Hill North Carolina Fraternity House fire.

Last,  search the internet, you can look at a site called Uwire which
lists news articles from Universities around the nation.

Mike Halligan
University of Utah
Fire Marshal/Assistant Director Environmental Health and Safety

On 12 Jul 00 at 16:16, Randy Shebby wrote:

Good Afternoon Everyone,
     I have been asked by the Residence Life Department of our
university to find statistics on smoking in the dormitories. Residence
Life and Environmental Health and Safety have proposed that smoking be
banned in dormitories beginning in the year 2001. We have however been
asked by the student administration to show that smoking is indeed a
major factor in dormitory fires. Please keep in mind that my belief is
one fire caused by one cigarette is one good reason. As a side note most
of our dorms have not yet been sprinklered.
    If you can help me find the statistics to convince the choir I would
certainly appreciate it. Your personal thoughts and your own campus
statistics are also appreciated. Thanks.

Randy Shebby
Occupational Safety Manager
Lehigh University