Students living on East and South greens may have noticed a change to their microwaves when returning yesterday.
Ohio University fire protection engineers have installed Safe-T-sensors in residence halls on both greens to reduce the number of nuisance alarms, said Fire Protection Engineer Brent Auker.
A study conducted by the OU Environmental Health and Safety Department showed that the majority of the nuisance alarms on campus were the result of burnt food in microwaves.
A $387,848 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency paid for the purchase of about 4,500 Safe-T-sensors. The sensors detect smoke in the microwave and cut its power before the building's smoke detector and alarm system are activated. The microwave will automatically restart 30 seconds later.
Auker said the biggest problem they have encountered is the time it takes to install the sensors. It generally takes two to three minutes per room with two to four people per room.
Workers left information about the new sensors on all microwaves, Auker said.
We're trying to educate as much as we can
he said.
Auker warned that OU and the city will punish students who tamper with the sensors. Tampering with a fire alarm is considered a felony.
OU will also install sensors in residence halls on West Green, but will wait until students are on break again since (we) don't want any inconvenience to students and (we) can't impede the flow of traffic just in case a serious incident would occur said Auker.
The grant requires OU to finish installing all the sensors within one year. Auker said he is certain the requirement will be met.
1
News
Alex Felser
