Students gripe at false alarms
Security director blames 'ghosts' and 'gremlins,' students only want sleep
Carol Wehe
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: News
Early last Sunday a fire alarm forced senior Emily Cican out of Mauck Hall, into the cold morning air - just moments after she finished her shower.
"It was horrible, because it was cold and raining and my shower robe only comes down to here," she said, gesturing toward her mid-thigh. "And we have to stand out by the street."
It was the first of four alarms that went off last week.
Later that morning members of Chi Omega sorority also evacuated their house after a false alarm.
Tuesday morning, another alarm forced Mauck's residents back outside - this time from crumbs smoldering in an old toaster oven.
Finally, Delta Sigma Phi fraternity's new cook forgot to turn on the ventilator fan in the kitchen and set off an alarm Tuesday.
When an alarm goes off, resident assistants or student monitors automatically evacuate the whole building and the fire department sends men out to check the building.
Firemen never found why the first two alarms went off. These are what Mike Wertz, director of campus security, calls "ghosts" or "gremlins." Every system has trouble with unidentifiable causes setting off alarms, he said.
Alarms go off because of smoke, heat, steam and even dust, Wertz said. Last year fire alarms sounded about 25 times - some because of steam from popcorn bags and showers.
"Considering we were trying to keep alarms to a minimum this year, two in the second week of school did not put us off to a good start," said sophomore Melissa Stewart, a Mauck RA.
Still, last year's rate fell far below that of 2005, when 89 alarms went off on campus. Security and maintenance have taken numerous measures to make the system more efficient and safer.
"I can't say we have a problem now we're not addressing," Wertz said.
Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé said he knew when they centralized the alarm system that even a burnt chicken nugget could set off the alarm.
Wertz said he understands students' complaints.
"[But] we would never disable the system simply because it's an annoyance," he said.
He said he has considered delaying calls to the fire department until a real problem is identified, but a dorm-sized room can be engulfed in flames in only two minutes - barely enough time for RAs or security to investigate the problem.
"I'd rather be safe than have casualties," he said.
"It was horrible, because it was cold and raining and my shower robe only comes down to here," she said, gesturing toward her mid-thigh. "And we have to stand out by the street."
It was the first of four alarms that went off last week.
Later that morning members of Chi Omega sorority also evacuated their house after a false alarm.
Tuesday morning, another alarm forced Mauck's residents back outside - this time from crumbs smoldering in an old toaster oven.
Finally, Delta Sigma Phi fraternity's new cook forgot to turn on the ventilator fan in the kitchen and set off an alarm Tuesday.
When an alarm goes off, resident assistants or student monitors automatically evacuate the whole building and the fire department sends men out to check the building.
Firemen never found why the first two alarms went off. These are what Mike Wertz, director of campus security, calls "ghosts" or "gremlins." Every system has trouble with unidentifiable causes setting off alarms, he said.
Alarms go off because of smoke, heat, steam and even dust, Wertz said. Last year fire alarms sounded about 25 times - some because of steam from popcorn bags and showers.
"Considering we were trying to keep alarms to a minimum this year, two in the second week of school did not put us off to a good start," said sophomore Melissa Stewart, a Mauck RA.
Still, last year's rate fell far below that of 2005, when 89 alarms went off on campus. Security and maintenance have taken numerous measures to make the system more efficient and safer.
"I can't say we have a problem now we're not addressing," Wertz said.
Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé said he knew when they centralized the alarm system that even a burnt chicken nugget could set off the alarm.
Wertz said he understands students' complaints.
"[But] we would never disable the system simply because it's an annoyance," he said.
He said he has considered delaying calls to the fire department until a real problem is identified, but a dorm-sized room can be engulfed in flames in only two minutes - barely enough time for RAs or security to investigate the problem.
"I'd rather be safe than have casualties," he said.
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