Fire Safety System
Fire alarm pull stations (red boxes) are located at each stairwell exit on each floor of both buildings.
Each residential room has a smoke alarm that is connected to a central monitoring system located on the second floor and in the main lobby. There are also back-up smoke alarms in main corridors of the residential areas that trigger strobes, horns, and the fire alarm system in both buildings. The fire alarm system is connected to a 24 hour monitoring service with the New Orleans Fire Department.
Fire extinguishers are visible in residential halls, main floors, and maintenance areas and are inspected annually.
Fire System Improvements
The fire suppression system in the kitchen has been replaced and the fire lane has been opened up and clearly marked access in front of building. The NDS campus has been cleared of trip hazards, the canopies on all trees have been lifted which improves visibility and enhances security lighting. Updated structural design (i.e. railings installed in outdated stairwells, handicapped elevator and ramps were added, and push button door installed) have been applied to new construction or the retrofitting of existing structures.
Smoke alarms were installed in all HVAC ducts and dampers for automatic shutdown.
In addition, stand pipe systems are located in each stairwell in Shaw Hall for access to water. At completion of the scheduled renovation, St. Joseph will have a sprinkler system in every door room and public space, including Schulte Auditorium.
Electrical Appliances
Any appliance that produces heat (e.g., hot plates, coffee makers with hot plates, toasters, toaster ovens, non-electric space heaters, etc.) is a fire hazard and is prohibited in a seminarian’s room.
Items such as exterior antennae or other external implements may not be installed. Permission for small refrigerators or other larger appliances may be sought from the Director of Facilities.
Every allowable appliance must be plugged directly into a power strip or into the wall itself. Absolutely prohibited are the use of extension cords and the practice of plugging one power strip into another. Surge protectors are supplied for students’ rooms as well as other offices and seminarian use areas. If additional surge protectors are needed, contact the Director of Facilities. “Daisy chaining” of surge protectors together is strictly prohibited.
Tobacco Use and Open Flames
Notre Dame Seminary recognizing the deleterious effects of tobacco use on fostering the good health necessary in undertaking the demands of priestly ministry, strongly discourages its use by seminarians.
Notre Dame Seminary is located within the City of New Orleans, Orleans Parish, State of Louisiana: therefore, all the city, parish, and state regulations regarding the matter of smoking must be observed. It is required that some reasonable, posted, and observed policy regarding smoking be provided.
Smoking [of any tobacco] is prohibited in any building on the campus. Smoking of tobacco is only permitted outside at the designated places. The Director of Facilities will review each year the location of designated places and will distribute this information at orientation each year.
Open flames, the use of candles, or other fire hazards are not permitted in individual seminarian rooms.
Reporting a Fire
In the event of a controllable fire, fire extinguishers are provided at various locations throughout the seminary buildings. A more serious fire should activate the installed fire detection system and it, in turn, should inform the fire department. Water should never be used on electrical fires.
If a fire is detected, and no alarm is sounding, immediately call 911 and alert others to the emergency.
Fire Evacuation Procedure
Should the fire alarm sound in any building, proceed immediately to the place designated for assembly outside that building. The Vice Rector will review at the beginning of each year the exact location seminarians are to report as well as the location and proper operation of fire equipment.
If the fire alarm sounds, evacuation of the buildings is required for all. As seminarians depart their room, all lights and electrical items are to be turned off and doors are to be closed to prevent drafts. Once outside of the building, seminarians are to stay out of the way of firefighters.
Fire Drills
Regular tests are conducted on the mechanical system by which fires are detected within the buildings. Periodic fire drills may also be conducted at the discretion of the Rector-President and the Director of Facilities. Fire drills are meant to protect the lives of all. The sound of the drill is the same as that of an actual alarm. During the drill, all are to proceed to areas designated for gathering.