Dorm fire alarms active after weekend failure
After a mechanical failure Friday, fire safety systems in Sansom Place West were non-operational throughout the weekend. A panel was replaced early yesterday morning and the systems are now functional, according to fire safety officials.
Officials were notified of the problem instantaneously because of the building's automated safety systems.
"During that time, there was a fire watch instituted," said Gene Janda, a safety specialist with University Fire and Emergency Services. He noted that Spectaguards toured the building throughout the weekend to watch for fires.
Calling individual dormitory room smoke detectors -- which were not affected by the mechanical failure -- "a redundant feature," Janda added that even with the weekend's technical problems, students would still have been alerted to a fire.
Although officials said that systems are back in service, a certified contractor is scheduled to check the building today.
-- Laura Sullivan
