Fire safety demonstration promotes sprinkler awareness

On Nov. 21, UNC Charlotte students gathered on the field across from Robinson Hall and watched as two residence hall rooms went up in flames. The demonstration was part of the mock dorm room burn and fire safety fair held by Environmental Health and Safety and the Fire and Safety Technologist student organization (FAST).

The FAST organization built two mock residence hall rooms–one equipped with a fire sprinkler system and one without. Charlotte Fire Department was on hand to control the fire and provide fire safety education for students. The event gave students a chance to experience the heat of a fire and see how quickly a fire can spread. In just under two minutes, the room without the fire sprinkler system was engulfed in flames. Photos from the event can be found online.

After the demonstration, the dorm room without a sprinkler system (left) and the dorm room with a sprinker system (right).

“This event brings awareness to the campus community on why it is important to never tamper with smoke detectors or sprinkler systems and to always evacuate the building when the fire alarm sounds,” said Derrick Gibbs, fire and life safety manager.

After the demonstration, students were able to visit the fire safety fair to practice hands-on fire extinguisher training, explore common household fire hazards, review building evacuation procedures and learn about disaster relief from the Red Cross.

The mock burn was cosponsored by Police and Public Safety, Emergency Management, Student Government Association, Eagle Fire, Charlotte Fire Department and the Red Cross.

Story: Mary Factor
​Photography: Tenille Dellinger