Rochester: Fire Safety Report and Statistics

The University of Minnesota Rochester has one dormitory and two apartment style on-campus housing facilities.

Dormitory

Student Life Center
150 Broadway Ave S Rochester MN, 55902

Apartments

318 Commons
318 1st Ave, SW Rochester, MN 55902

Residence at Discovery Square
511 3rd Avenue SW Rochester MN, 55902

Fires should be reported immediately to the Rochester Fire Department by contacting 911. The following phone numbers should only be used to report fires that have already been extinguished.

Resident Life Director
507-258-8028

318 Commons Front Desk
507-258-8240

Student Life Center Front Desk
507-258-8119

Residence at Discovery Square Front Desk
507-995-1557

Facilities and Operations Director
507-258-8217

318 Commons On Call Resident Assistant
507-517-8277

Student Life Center On Call Resident Assistant
507-910-8998

Fire Alarm Monitoring indicates if the fire alarms are monitored at a central location.

Full Sprinkler System is defined as having sprinklers in both the common areas and individual rooms.

Evacuation Plan indicates if a location has evacuation plans for fire evacuation.

Electrical Appliances

Air conditioners are prohibited in UMR housing facilities. Electrical appliances must be in good working order and UL approved. The lack of an operator present when heat-generating devices are in use is prohibited.

Cooking

Cooking is permitted only in University-designated kitchen areas. The lack of an operator present when heat-generating devices are in use is prohibited. 

Smoking

To create a healthier, cleaner, and more inclusive environment for everyone, smoking any substance or creating smoke is not permitted in resident rooms or apartments. Smoking any substance or creating smoke is also prohibited on apartment patios, apartment balconies, and/or public areas within residence halls and apartments. This includes electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and tobacco. Smoking and tobacco use is not allowed on the University of Minnesota campus. 

Hookahs or any smoking paraphernalia that has the potential for an open flame are not allowed in the residence halls or apartment communities.

Open Flames

For the safety of all students living in the halls, it is prohibited to have open flames or other materials that constitute fire hazards on University housing property including candles, candle warmers, incense, or other materials (such as live fresh cut evergreen trees, and wreaths). Any candles or incense found may be confiscated or destroyed. Housing and Residence life staff will not store these items for you. Motorized vehicles (e.g., mopeds, motorcycles, etc.) may not be brought through or stored within the residence halls/apartments or on apartment patios and balconies.

Prohibited Lighting

Due to hazardous materials in various lighting devices, and the potential for fire, and chemical safety hazards, the following items are not allowed: halogen lamps, torchiere lamps, neon lighting, black lights, strobe lights, and lava lamps. Lighting fixtures and devices must be UL listed, in good working condition per original manufacturing, and of no greater than 75 watts.

In the event of a building alarm, fire departments cannot begin their job until everyone is out of the building. Failing to leave the building puts others at risk. In compliance with Minnesota State Fire Code and state law, everyone is required to leave the building in the event of a building alarm.

• Upon activation of a fire alarm, immediately proceed to the nearest, safest exit
• Before opening doors, feel the door; if it is hot do not proceed through the door. If the door is cool, open the door slowly and proceed to nearest, safest exit
• If on upper floors of a building, do not use elevators, proceed down stairwells to exit, if heavy smoke or fumes are present, use an alternate exit route
• Exit the building and move a safe distance away from the building
• In locations managed by Housing & Residential Life, Housing staff will assist exiting residents to a nearby safe location
• Do not re-enter the building for any reason. Emergency Responders or Housing and Residential Life Staff will notify residents if and when it is safe to return to the building

In a fire emergency:

• Pull the fire alarm if able.
• Call 9-911.
• Remain calm and act quickly.
• Wear protective clothing such as a coat and shoes and carry a damp towel for use in heavy smoke.
• Close your room door and windows.
• Walk in an orderly manner to the nearest exit. Never use an elevator.
• Move a safe distance away from the building and out of the way of fire department personnel.
• Remain outside until you are told to return by the staff.

If you think there is a fire in the hallway, feel the door before you open it:

• If the door does not feel hot, open it slightly, holding your head away and brace the door with your foot.
• Put your hand across the opening to test the heat of the air.
• If the door is hot and the hallway unsafe, plug any opening or cracks through which smoke may enter your room using wet towels, sheets, blankets, etc.
• If smoke does enter the room, open the window for ventilation; break it if sealed.
• DO NOT JUMP.
• Make your presence known.
• Wait for rescue 

In case of minor fire:

• Pull the fire alarm if able.
• Call 9-911.
• Use a fire extinguisher located in the hallway cabinets or a blanket to smother the fire.
• Never risk your personal safety!

The Residential Life Director, all Resident Assistants, and professional staff in the housing facility are trained on evacuation procedures in a fire emergency and directions are contained in the RA handbook. 

Residential Life works closely with University code officials to review current systems and plan for future improvements. There are currently no plans deemed necessary for improvements in fire safety systems or procedures.

Fires in the following tables fall into one of three categories: (A) undetermined; (B) accidental; or (C) intentional. 

The Student Life Center was opened to new residents in August 2023, therefore fire statistics for 2022 are not available.

Fires in the following tables fall into one of three categories: (A) undetermined; (B) accidental; or (C) intentional. 

The Student Life Center was opened to new residents in August 2023, therefore fire statistics for 2022 are not available.

Fires in the following tables fall into one of three categories: (A) undetermined; (B) accidental; or (C) intentional. 

The Student Life Center was opened to new residents in August 2023, therefore fire statistics for 2022 are not available.

Students aged 18 and above and emancipated minors:

Student residents will be given the opportunity online through the Housing & Residential Life (HRL) Resident Information Collection process to designate an individual or individuals to be contacted by the University no more than 24 hours after the time that the student is determined to be missing in accordance with the procedures set forth below. The designation will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the student or at the time the student is no longer a resident of University housing (or under the age of 18).

Students under the age of 18 and not emancipated:

Student residents under the age of 18 who are not emancipated are required to provide contact information for a custodial parent or guardian online through the Housing & Residential Life Resident Information Collection process. The University is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian no more than 24 hours after a student is determined to be missing in accordance with the procedures set forth below. The custodial parent or guardian contact information will remain in effect until the student reaches the age of 18 or is no longer a resident of University housing.

This contact information will be registered confidentially, and will be accessible only to authorized campus officials. This information will not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation.

In the case of a missing student, individuals should notify the University of Minnesota Police Department or Housing & Residential Life staff members. There is no minimum amount of time a student must be missing for to be reported to one of these resources.

Any individual on campus who has information about a UMR student that may be missing must notify one of the following UMR staff members:

Resident Life Director
507-258-8028

Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life
507-258-8242

If any UMR employee other than those previously mentioned receives a report of a potential missing student, they are to advise the reporter to contact one of the above individuals directly; in addition, that employee receiving the report will directly contact one of the above individuals. 

Official notification procedures for missing persons:

If a report of a possible missing person is made to the above staff members, the staff member will:

• Interview the person making the initial missing person report to gain information.
• Inform the AVC for Student Life.
• Conduct a health and wellness check on the suspected missing person.
• Attempt to make contact with the missing person via any means available.
• Identify other individuals who may be aware of the missing person's whereabouts (e.g. roommates, friends, classmates).
• Check attendance at class or at on-campus employment.
• Notify City of Rochester Police Department.
• Contact missing person's emergency contact if applicable. If the student is under 18 years of age and not emancipated, custodial parents or guardians will be contacted in addition to any missing person's contact.

If a student has registered a contact person, UMR will notify that contact person no later than 24 hours after it has been officially determined that the student is missing. If a student registers multiple contact persons and the first person contacted confirms that the student is not missing, UMR must contact each additional contact person in turn, unless the student in question is contacted by UMR or contacts UMR directly. This process is important in verifying that the missing student is confirmed to be safe.