The residence halls are finally catching up with fire safety as sprinklers are installed in the rooms.

Dave LaBanc, director of facilities and operations , said sprinklers have been installed in three out of the five residence halls.

“The residence halls will all have sprinklers when the project is complete,” LaBanc said. “Lincoln, Douglas and Neptune already have sprinklers. Systems will be installed in Stevenson during the summers of 2010 and 2011, and Grant will have sprinklers installed as part of the renovation.”

LaBanc also said these systems are different than previous fire alarm systems.

“All of the halls have fire alarm systems, which are different than sprinkler systems,” LaBanc said. “A sprinkler system is a fire suppression system which is designed to control and contain the fire until the fire department arrives to put it out; while an alarm is simply designed to notify the occupants of the building that there is danger and they should evacuate.”

Sophomore undecided major A.J. Stevens said he believes the sprinklers are a good idea.

“I think it’s good that they were put in,” Stevens said. “But we have Christmas lights in our room that used to be right next to the sprinkler, and I was worried about the lights setting the sprinkler off.”

Sophomore undecided major Matt Schultz doesn’t really notice the new sprinklers in the residence halls.

“I don’t mind that they’re there or worry much about them,” Schultz said. “The only thing that was different this year is that they had to warn us about the sprinklers and what could cause them to go off.”

LaBanc encouraged students to read the guidepost for more information about the new sprinklers.