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 Policies & Procedures
- All campus buildings, residence halls, and student rooms are smoke-free (including vaping)
- Smoking is not allowed within 20 feet of any building entrance
- Smoking any substance or creating smoke through the use of incense, candles, or other smoke-producing items is prohibited in all campus buildings, including residence halls
- Students documented for possession of candles/incense in a residence hall may be assessed a fee of up to $75
- Students documented for burning candles/smoking in a residence hall may be assessed a fee of up to $100
- When a fire alarm sounds, all building occupants (including residents) are required to stop activities, exit the building, and meet in the building's designated Emergency Assembly Area(s) (EAA). When leaving, feel doors for heat with the back of the hand, crouch low to the ground, protect the nose and mouth if smoke is present, and leave via the closest accessible exit."
- Failure to evacuate for any reason may result in referral to the judicial system and assessment of up to a $50 fee for the first offense and $75 for the second offense
- Any student, faculty, or staff member who tampers (which includes but is not limited to covering, removing, defacing, damaging, or rendering inoperable) with fire and life safety equipment to include fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, emergency egress lighting, or exit signage is subject to disciplinary action, which may include up to a $200 fine
- Any student, faculty, or staff member who deliberately activates a false fire alarm is subject to disciplinary action, which may include dismissal from the residence hall, possible suspension from the university, or other penalties
- The Old Dominion University Police Department may charge any violator tampering with fire safety equipment a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $2,500 and/or 12 months in jail
Residents who activate a fire alarm as a result of negligence (including but not limited to cooking, hair styling, steam, etc.) may be assessed up to a $50 fine
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 & 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 fireprevention@odu.edu.
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 fireprevention@odu.edu. A drop-down list of AED locations in campus buildings can be found below.
- Alfriend Chemistry Building
- Barry Art Museum
- Barry Arts Building
- Batten Arts & Letters Building
- Broderick Dining Commons
- Chemistry Building (New)
- Constant Hall
- Crittendon Hall/NROTC
- Darden College of Education & Professional Studies Building
- Diehn Fine & Performing Arts Center
- Dragas Hall
- Engineering & Computational Sciences Building
- Engineering Systems Building
- Goode Theater
- Gordon Art Gallery
- Gornto Hall
- Health Sciences Building
- Hixon Art Studio
- Innovation Research Park 1
- Kaufman Hall
- Mills Godwin Building
- Monarch Hall
- Monarch Physical Therapy Clinic/Peri Lab
- Oceanography & Physical Sciences Building
- Perry Library
- Peninsula Higher Education Center
- Rollins Hall
- Spong Hall
- Student Recreation Center
- Tri-Cities Higher Education Center
- University Bookstore
- University Fitness Center
- Visual Arts Building
- Virginia Beach Higher Education Center
- Virginia Modeling, Analysis, & Simulation Center
- Webb University Center
- Welcome Center
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.
Requests & Permits: 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.
Public Safety
Police Department, Emergency Management, Risk Management, Environmental Health & Safety
External Resources
- Center for Campus Fire Safety
- Code of Virginia
- International Code Council
- National Fire Protection Association
- Virginia Department of Health Safety Seat Checks
- Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office
Fire Safety Report
ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY REPORT
Campus fire safety practices and policies