Environmental Health and Safety

Fire Protection Systems

Although no formal Physical Plant fire brigade is established, certain employees of the Physical Plant Department and the UTT Police are generally knowledgeable and capable of handling emergency situations and may be called upon to respond to fire emergencies until professional firefighters and equipment arrive.

The UTT Police, Physical Plant Department, and EH&S have established a close working relationship with the Tyler Fire Department. Campus access to fire department person­nel is imperative. The UTT Police, the Physical Plant Department and Environmental Health & Safety continually give orientations and briefings to these personnel. Building draw­ings and other important information are provided to fire department shift captains.

UTT buildings are fire resistant and equipped with multiple systems for fire detection and control, includ­ing heat and smoke detectors; fire alarm pulls stations, bells, sirens and strobes throughout cor­ridors in buildings.

The University is equipped with fire protection equipment as follows:

• the Food Service Area is provided with an automated, dry chemical extinguishing system;
• the Chemical Storeroom in the Ratliff Building South is protected by an FE-13 fire suppression system;
• the wood stage in the University Center is protected by a wet sprinkler system;
• the Metamorphosis Cafe in the HPE building is protected by a wet sprinkler system
• the Muntz Library is protected by a dry, standpipe system
• and the following buildings are protected by a combi­nation of automatic sprinkler sys­tem and standpipe system:
  • Fine Arts Center (Cowan)
  • Herrington Patriot Center
  • Braithwaite Buildings (Nursing)
  • Patriot Village Apartments
  • Ratliff Engineering & Sciences Complex
  • Ornelas Hall
  • Baseball/Softball Concession Stand

Most areas on campus are equipped with ABC, CO2 and/or Halon extin­guishers best suited to fight fires most likely to occur in these areas. Simple instructions for the use of these extinguishers are printed on all units.

The fire protection equipment is inspected by a qualified and licensed contractor, in coordination with the UTT Director of EH&S and Director of Physical Plan, on a regular basis to ensure that the equipment is continuously in good working order.