ALBANY, N.Y.—Since the deadly fire that killed three students in a freshman dormitory at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, legislators and college administrators in Albany, N.Y., have decided to examine an ordinance to fine pranksters who pull fire alarms at local colleges and universities.
In an effort to help reduce the fire false alarm rate, the University of Albany and nearby Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) will issue suspensions or expulsions to pranksters who pull fire alarms. Also, the Albany Common Council is examining an ordinance that would hold the universities and other false alarm offenders responsible for false or malfunctioning alarms by paying a fine. The ordinance would charge Albany institutions a graduated fine between $25 and $300 each time Albany fire trucks are deployed for a false alarm.
In 1999, the University of Albany had 116 false alarms. If the proposed ordinance was in play in 1999, it would have cost the school $14,400 in fines. The ordinance is currently in committee.
Source: NBFAA False Alarm Network
