The university strives to maintain a safe environment and conducts fire prevention activities year round. Everyone has a role to play in maintaining a safe university environment by respecting some basic fire prevention rules, guidelines and procedures.

Immediately report any fire or smoke conditions, through pulling an available fire alarm and/or by telephone to campus security 514-848-3717

When the building fire alarm system is activated, even during a fire alarm exercise, all building occupants must safely stop all activity and evacuate the building, utilizing identified emergency exits and stairwells.

Special procedures are established and are to be utilized for building occupants who are mobility impaired. (Fire alarms and mobility-impaired persons)

Corridors, exits and stairs are the escape routes in a fire or life emergency. Storage in corridors, exits and stairs is strictly prohibited. This includes temporary, short term, long term or spill over from offices, laboratories, classrooms, and shipping and receiving areas.

Fire doors (doors in fire separations) are generally self-closing. Blocking, propping, or wedging these doors in the open position at any time is prohibited.

Designated emergency exit doors are to be readily opened from the inside at all times, and are not permitted to be locked, chained, blocked, or barred to prevent exiting at any time.

Bicycles are not permitted within university buildings or in locations that they may impair the use of stairways, access ramps or exit doors. A locked bicycle poses a serious threat to life safety or the occupants of a building in the event of emergency evacuation. Bicycles in buildings or in these areas represent a violation of the Municipal Fire Code regulations.

Quantities of combustible material (paper, cardboard, etc.) and other flammable materials are to be kept to a minimum, and stored in appropriate locations.

Regular combustible materials must be stored at least 6-12 inches from any heat source including fixed heaters, space heaters, water heaters, furnaces, and electrical panels.

The use of candles or any other device that uses an open flame in areas not designated for this purpose is prohibited. Special permission to use candles or other open flame devises can be requested via the established hot work authorization procedures.

Smoking is prohibited in the buildings, including on outdoor terraces and in the stairwells.

Concordia employees, students, and visitors are prohibited from bringing any flammable or explosive items into university buildings. The storage, distribution and manipulation of flammable, explosive or reactive chemicals must be conducted in accordance with the policy for the management of hazardous materials VPS-47

Quantities of stored flammable or explosive chemical must be kept to a minimum and comply with Municipal Fire Code, and stored / secured in appropriate flammable cabinets or recipients.

Overloading electrical outlets or circuits is a significant fire risk and must be avoided. Before purchasing, utilizing or installing new equipment or increasing the demand on wall outlets and/or electrical circuits, Facilities Management must be consulted.

Only authorized and/or inspected space heaters are permitted to be used in university buildings. Space heaters must never be left on and unattended. Any defective electrical equipment, such as frayed cords, loose connections, and overheating equipment should be reported to Facilities Management and taken immediately out of service.