University Police officers posted public safety advisories in Mitchell Hall this week after residents experienced six false fire alarms in one week, often in the middle of the night.
UPD Captain Frank Demes said that at least five of the false alarms in Mitchell were malicious. Officials also held a mandatory meeting for Mitchell Hall residents Thursday night to inform students of the situation and discuss the effects of the false fire alarms.
Demes said officials worry the frequent alarms will cause a "boy-cries-wolf" scenario where students are less likely to evacuate during future alarms because they assume they're false. The captain added that knowingly and deliberately causing a fire alarm is a violation of D.C. law. Penalties include a fine, jail time and a Student Judicial Services punishment.
"The University's primary concern during a fire alarm is the safety of students," Demes wrote in an e-mail. "For that reason, students need to understand that it is their responsibility to evacuate when there is a fire alarm."
Demes said students caught ignoring fire alarms will be disciplined for violating the Student Code of Conduct. He said UPD is working to resolve the issue with the help of student vigilance in reporting suspicious activity.
Ed Comeau, publisher of a fire-safety newsletter called Campus Firewatch, said the intentional false alarms are highly concerning for any residential building. He said officials should hold meetings with students to impart the importance of fire alarms.
"Education and communication among students (will) reinforce the importance of evacuation," he said.
Comeau said the University could do much more to prevent the problem. He said some schools will fine an entire floor to force a student to come forward with information. He said GW could also equip all of the alarms with stoppers - a device which beeps loudly while the alarm is being pulled so it is more likely someone will witness misuse.
UPD Captain Frank Demes said that at least five of the false alarms in Mitchell were malicious. Officials also held a mandatory meeting for Mitchell Hall residents Thursday night to inform students of the situation and discuss the effects of the false fire alarms.
Demes said officials worry the frequent alarms will cause a "boy-cries-wolf" scenario where students are less likely to evacuate during future alarms because they assume they're false. The captain added that knowingly and deliberately causing a fire alarm is a violation of D.C. law. Penalties include a fine, jail time and a Student Judicial Services punishment.
"The University's primary concern during a fire alarm is the safety of students," Demes wrote in an e-mail. "For that reason, students need to understand that it is their responsibility to evacuate when there is a fire alarm."
Demes said students caught ignoring fire alarms will be disciplined for violating the Student Code of Conduct. He said UPD is working to resolve the issue with the help of student vigilance in reporting suspicious activity.
Ed Comeau, publisher of a fire-safety newsletter called Campus Firewatch, said the intentional false alarms are highly concerning for any residential building. He said officials should hold meetings with students to impart the importance of fire alarms.
"Education and communication among students (will) reinforce the importance of evacuation," he said.
Comeau said the University could do much more to prevent the problem. He said some schools will fine an entire floor to force a student to come forward with information. He said GW could also equip all of the alarms with stoppers - a device which beeps loudly while the alarm is being pulled so it is more likely someone will witness misuse.
