September is an important time to focus attention on fire and life safety as colleges and universities welcome students, faculty, and staff back to campus. Recognizing the importance of this issue, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey proclaimed September College Fire Safety Month. The proclamation provides a timely opportunity to consider the fire and life safety challenges facing colleges and universities in Massachusetts and across the country.
Public safety is a foundational principle at Code Red Consultants. It is also central to our work with colleges and universities, where effective fire and life safety programs must account for a wide range of buildings, occupants, activities, and institutional responsibilities.
Campus-Wide Approach to Fire and Life Safety
Fire and life safety in higher education extends beyond an individual building. Residence halls, laboratories, classrooms, dining facilities, athletic venues, healthcare settings, and assembly spaces each present different challenges. At the same time, students, faculty, staff, researchers, contractors, patients, and visitors move throughout a campus every day. An incident in one location can therefore affect people, operations, and emergency response well beyond the building where it occurs.
This makes fire and life safety a shared responsibility. Facilities teams maintain fire protection systems and building infrastructure, while housing staff support student safety and emergency procedures. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), emergency management, public safety, and campus leadership also play important roles in identifying risks, preparing for emergencies, and protecting occupants. Communication and coordination among these groups are essential to an effective fire and life safety program.
Why This Matters
College Fire Safety Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of these issues and encourage discussions around preparedness, risk management, and occupant safety. It also serves as a reminder that fire and life safety programs are most effective when institutions take a campus-wide approach rather than evaluating buildings individually.
Although the formal proclamation is specific to Massachusetts, the underlying issues are not. Colleges and universities everywhere must continually evaluate how changes in facilities, technology, campus activities, and occupant behavior affect fire and life safety.
Looking Ahead
This article introduces a four-part series focused on practical fire and life safety considerations for colleges and universities. The remaining articles will explore:
- Building a comprehensive campus fire protection program
- Managing lithium-ion battery risks associated with micromobility devices and energy storage systems
- Addressing fire and life safety during campus renovations and adaptive reuse projects
The series uses College Fire Safety Month as a starting point for a broader discussion about how institutions can manage fire and life safety as a coordinated, campus-wide responsibility.