All of the Residence Halls and Greek Houses are fully protected with automatic fire sprinklers and a fire alarm system with a sprinkler and smoke detector in every student room.

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for monitoring the fire alarm system and investigating the cause of any alarm activation.

All Public Safety  Officers receive annual training in the use of fire extinguishers and are trained to extinguish incipient stage fires at the Dempster Fire Training Center, Mercer County’s Fire Academy. 

The Department of Public Safety is also responsible for assisting with the University’s compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and other applicable fire safety laws and standards; providing fire safety education and training; and investigating all fires that occur on University property.

Life safety is the primary objective of the fire safety program.  The programs include: fire exit drills; fire safety education for students, faculty, and staff; fire inspections of campus buildings and public assembly events; emergency procedure planning and training; fire data analysis; general fire safety issue consultation; and fire investigations.

Life safety systems (fire alarms, smoke and heat detectors, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, emergency exit signs, emergency lighting, and emergency generators) are installed, maintained, serviced and inspected by the Facilities Management Department. To report problems call (609) 896-5080 or file a work order request. 

Fire suppression (firefighting) for the Lawrenceville campus is provided by the Lawrence Road Fire Company, and the Princeton Engine Company for the Princeton Campus.

The Fire Marshal’s Office of  Lawrence Township, (609) 844-7018, and the Bureau of Fire Safety and Housing Inspection of Princeton Borough, (609) 497-7646, is the “Local Enforcing Agency” for enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70 et seq.). All buildings on the University’s Lawrenceville and Princeton campuses are inspected annually by these agencies.

Resources

  • The Princeton Review:  Rider University receives a Fire Safety Rating of 85 from The Princeton Review.  The rating measures how well prepared a school is to prevent or respond to campus fires, specifically in residence halls, on a scale of  60 - 99.
     
  • Campus Firewatch:  Campus Firewatch is the only electronic newsletter focusing exclusively on campus fire safety. Each issue is filled with valuable information on campus fire safety, both on- and off-campus. If you are interested in subscribing to this informative newsletter, you can do it online by clicking here.
  • U.S. Fire Administration:  Here you will find training and educational opportunities for the Fire Service, allied organizations and individuals working together in disasters and emergencies. Also available are fire statistics, publications, public fire education campaign materials, and information on fire service funding opportunities. Federal travelers will find a directory of approved, fire-safe hotels and for the general public, we offer information on home fire safety.
     
  • Get Out & Stay Alive Video:  This video is designed to educate college students and parents about the importance of day-to-day fire safety and prevention measures in residence halls and off-campus housing. 
     
  • The ABC's of Portable Fire Extinguishers: This program will show you the classifications of fire, the type of portable fire extinguishers and how to use fire extinguishers. Take a short true or false test and print a certificate of completion.
     
  • Parents Have A Lot To Think About:  The CBS Early Show Consumer Correspondent Susan Koeppen offers an eye opener report for parents and students.  View the free video "Fighting Campus Fires".   Seton Hall University Resident Assistant, Dana Christmas talks about the January 19, 2000, residence hall fire. See FM Global's burn demonstration of two typical dorm rooms.  One room had a sprinkler, one did not.