Environmental Health and Safety

Fire detection and notification

Kansas State University uses several types of fire detection and notification systems including heat detectors, smoke detectors, pull stations, horns and lights.The following sections discuss these components.

Heat and Smoke Detectors

Fire detectors at K-State are linked to the University Emergency Reporting System. Once a building alarm system is activated, the Reporting System alerts the Emergency Operator who initiates emergency response. Heat detectors and smoke detectors are the two types of fire detection devices used at K-State. Please note the location of the detectors in your area and prevent damage and accidental activation.

  • Heat Detectors:Heat detectors respond to the convected energy in hot smoke and fire gases(i.e., heat). Heat detectors are normally located in laboratories, mechanical rooms, storage areas and areas that could produce high levels of dust, steam, or other airborne particles.
  • Smoke Detectors:Smoke detectors respond to the solid and liquid aerosols produced by a fire(i.e., smoke). Since smoke detectors cannot distinguish between smoke particles and other particles such as steam, building occupants must be aware of detector locations and be considerate when working around them. Smoke detectors are normally found in exit corridors, office areas, assembly areas and residence halls.

    If your work produces steam, dust or an environment that could damage or activate a detector, protect the detector with some type of covering such as a plastic bag. Remember to remove the protective covering at the end of the day or as soon as your work is done. Notify EHS prior to covering any detectors.

Alarm Systems and Pull Stations

Fire alarm manual pull stations are installed to manually activate a building's alarms in addition to the automatic fire sensing devices. When pulled manually, a pull station activates the fire alarm system and notifies University personnel that an emergency exists. Pull stations are located near exit stairways and/or building exits.

IMPORTANT: Not all building alarm systems are tied into Police Dispatch. Someone must always call 911 to report an alarm.

If you smell smoke or if you see smoke or a fire, complete these steps:

  1. Pull a manual pull station to evacuate the area.
  2. Call 911 to report the smoke or fire.
  3. If you are trained in fire fighting and it is reasonably safe to do so, attempt to extinguish the fire.

Horns and Lights

Emergency horns/bells and lights are located throughout University buildings with fire alarm systems. They are typically found near emergency pull stations. Do not block emergency horns or lights. Report damaged or defective horns and lights to EHS.