Here at the Univ. of Alabama, we inspect fraternities before social events.  If
their house does not meet code by having all exit lights working, emergency
lights working, fire extinguishers inspected and in place, stairwells clear,
etc., then their social event is not approved.  Needless to say, they correct
the deficiencies and have their party.  This program was developed after a
serious fire at one of our fraternities in the late 1980's.  I met with the
City legal department, greek representatives, the fire marshall and student
life and they all agreed that monitoring the fraternity's activities was a high
priority.  The social events (fraternity parties) was designated as a way to
get their attention and it has worked.  Initially, it took quite a bit of
time.  But over time, the houses have significantly improved and several now
call us before a party to see when we are coming for the safety inspection.
See our checklist by accessing www.ua.edu, then site map (at top of page), then
under E (Environmental Health and Safety, then Services, then Fire Safety
Program and then the Approval Procedure for Fraternity Parties. The Tuscaloosa
Fire Department has zero tolerance for false alarms for the fraternity and
sororities (meaning they can get a fine, community service or both) and was
incorporated this past spring semester.

Dan Jones wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ron Binder [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, May 22, 2000 2:05 AM
> Subject: Oregon State fraternity houses rack up thousands in fines
>
> Associated Press
> May 21, 2000
>
> Oregon State fraternity houses rack up thousands in fines
>
> CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Oregon State University fraternities are creating a fire
> hazard that could end in disaster despite repeated fines totaling thousands
> of dollars, a newspaper reports.
>
> The Mid-Valley Sunday said that Corvallis Fire Department records show that
> fraternities have blocked fire exits, disconnected smoke detectors,
> silenced fire alarms and let residents sleep in potentially deadly
> crawlspaces over the past five years.
>
> Only about half of the 32 fraternity and sorority houses have sprinkler
> systems or modern fire alarms to protect their residents, although sorority
> houses generally have a better safety record.
>
> But every one of the 21 OSU fraternity houses has, at one time or another,
> violated the city's building code, according to fire officials.
>
> A major concern is what fraternities call a "butt hut" - using concealed
> crawlspaces to sleep and to gain more privacy. Officials view them as
> firetraps, because the only way in or out is through a tiny hole in the
> wall.
>
> The crawlspaces also often contain makeshift electrical wiring for such
> items as space heaters.
>
> Building supervision normally is the responsibility of nonprofit alumni
> boards that act as landlords, but there is practically no oversight at
> fraternities, officials say.
>
> Repeated building code violations, inadequate buildings and a lack of
> supervision mean it is only a question of time until a dangerous - even
> deadly - fire sweeps through a frat house, said Jim Patton, fire prevention
> officer for the Corvallis Fire Department.
>
> "We've been fortunate, and our time hasn't come yet," Patton said.
>
> Other campuses haven't been so lucky. In the past five months, fires have
> struck fraternities at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, Washington
> State University and a dormitory at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.
> Students were either killed or injured in those blazes.
>
> Every year, about 1,700 fires burn college dormitories, classroom
> buildings, fraternities and sororities, according to a report by the U.S.
> Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association.
>
> But the report said the largest problem area is in off-campus housing,
> including fraternities, sororities and apartments.
>
> "These facilities are not as regulated as the campus housing facilities,
> which means the risk to the students living in them is probably greater,"
> the report said.
>
> Some examples of violations at OSU include:
>
> - On April 3, the Theta Chi fraternity house was fined $500 for seven of
> its members sleeping in the building's study rooms where there are no smoke
> detectors and no emergency escape windows.
>
> - On Feb. 25, officials fined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house $1,000
> for blocking a fire escape with mattresses.
>
> - On Feb. 8, Acacia House fraternity was fined $1,400 for using two
> concealed crawlspaces and silencing the fire alarm system to cancel the
> fire department's response to an alarm tripped by kitchen smoke.
>
> - On Jan. 24, the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity was fined $500 for using a
> concealed room for sleeping. A heater, outlets and light fixtures were
> among the items found in the room. Officials ordered all items removed.
>
> - On Jan. 19, officials penalized Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house $500
> for using a concealed room for sleeping. Electrical outlets and light
> fixtures had been installed in the room. Officials ordered the removal of
> all items, including a couch and sleeping bag.
>
> - On Nov. 12, the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity house was fined $400 for
> silencing the fire alarm system. Someone had broken into the fire alarm
> panel and disabled the system, according to the report. During repairs,
> officials discovered the wiring to two of the hallway smoke detectors had
> been disconnected.
>
> Patton, the city's fire prevention officer, said fraternities view
> inspections and fire codes as a nuisance when they are intended to save
> lives.
>
> "The residents need to understand they're not doing these things to keep
> the fire department off their backs," he said. "They're doing these things
> to protect themselves and others in the house."
>
> The Acacia Fraternity house, the oldest building in the frat system, has
> drawn more civil penalties than any other fraternity over the past five
> years.
>
> Fraternity president Shane Sawyer says members are aware of the danger and
> they're working to change things.
>
> "I feel like we're at least on the right track," Sawyer said.
>
> (c) 2000 The Associated Press.