Fire Safety Compliance
Old Dominion University is committed to instilling a culture of fire prevention and life safety within the campus community. Led by a full-time Fire Prevention Manager and a full-time Fire Prevention Inspector with over 60 combined years in the fire service, the ODU Office of Fire Prevention's programs focus on fire prevention and life safety education, realistic training, proactive inspections and enforcement, customer service, and modern technology to realize our goal of a fire-safe campus.
Through a partnership with local fire departments, fire prevention bureaus, and the Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office, the ODU Office of Fire Prevention works to meet or exceed all local and State fire code requirements. In particular, we work closely with Norfolk Fire-Rescue - the first responder to all main campus fire and medical emergencies - to plan for, train, exercise, respond to, and mitigate fire hazards in all University facilities.
ODU Fire Prevention Policies & Procedures
Residence Hall Fire Prevention
Old Dominion University houses over 4,600 students in 56 on-campus housing facilities. We are proud to say our housing facilities meet or exceed all minimum fire and life safety standards. The following items are prohibited in residence halls:
- Extension cords
- Multi-plug adapters
- Halogen and torch lamps
- Toasters/toaster ovens
- George Foreman type grills
- Hazardous materials
- Appliances with exposed heating elements
- Explosives/flammables/propane/gas grills
- Motorized vehicles
- Firearms/weapons/Incendiary devices
- Live Christmas trees
- Candles/incense/oil lamps/open flames
- Portable heaters
- Fireworks
Fire prevention is everyone's responsibility. In residence halls, the majority of fire alarms result from:
- Improper or unattended cooking
- Hair styling products used with hot irons/hair dryers
- Excessive shower steam
- Use of prohibited items
Learn how you can do your part to prevent fire and reduce nuisance fire alarms by watching this short fire safety video created by ODU Housing and Residence Life and ODU Fire Prevention.
Education, Training, & Outreach Programs
Fire & Life Safety Training: ODU Fire Prevention offers training for fire extinguisher use, basic fire prevention, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) use, Stop the Bleed, and other applicable fire and life safety topics on an as-requested basis. For details and to schedule training, contact firesafety@odu.edu
Child Safety Seat Inspections: ODU Public Safety offers free child safety seat inspections to the University and community at-large. As Norfolk's only Safety Seat Check Station recognized by the Virginia Department of Health, certified car seat technicians will check your child safety seat for recalls, ensure it is properly sized for your child, and verify that both the harness and vehicle installation are correct. Scheduled checks are held periodically on campus and are also available by appointment. To schedule a Child Safety Seat Check, contact firesafety@odu.edu.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program
- According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital in the United States each year. The United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration notes that about 10,000 cardiac arrests occur in the workplace annually, and only about half of employees know where an AED is located at work. With nine out of ten cardiac arrest victims surviving if they receive a shock in the first minute, knowing where to find an AED could save a life!
- ODU Fire Prevention coordinates oversight and maintenance of AEDs located in most campus buildings. For questions regarding ODU's AED program, contact firesafety@odu.edu. A drop-down list of AED locations in campus buildings can be found below.
Procedures & Forms
Fire Protection Impairment Program: The Fire Protection Impairment Program provides instructions to authorized individuals who wish to request to modify the normal operation of the University's fire alarm, fire protection, and/or life safety systems during events including but not limited to construction, demolition, outages, maintenance, testing, and building system impairments. Persons who wish to take any fire protection system out of service for any reason must fill out a request for a permit to do so. These documents contain an effective management program used to minimize the risks associated with fire alarm and fire protection impairments.
Hot Work: Personnel conducting hot work on ODU property must review the ODU Hot Work Safety Guide and apply for a Hot Work Permit with the Office of Fire Prevention. Upon permit approval, personnel must follow the provisions set forth in the Hot Work Safety Guide and Hot Work Permit, and post Hot Work Signage outside of the designated work area until work is complete.
Fire Watch: A Fire Watch must be implemented when an occupied building's fire protection systems or equipment are out of service, and must remain in effect until the systems or equipment are returned to service. A Fire Watch Form, Patrol Log, and Signage must be used when performing Fire Watch duties.