Fire Protection Initiatives

Valley 1,2,3—fire alarm device upgrade

Complete fire alarm upgrade to bring Valley 1, 2 and 3 up to current life safety code requirements. Fire alarm panels upgraded for new voice messages, new pull stations installed, new audio and visual alarm devices installed, additional smoke detectors added in corridors and public areas, speakers added to allow for alarm notification, buildings connected to centralized monitoring station located Public Safety and Facilities Management.

Information management system graphic upgrades

Upgrades that included imaging software that allows WMU to monitor fire alarm systems throughout campus. The upgrade of building graphics will allow for the Department of Public Safety to be able to pinpoint the location of the alarm, providing quicker response to an emergency. We currently have 15 detailed plans loaded into the system and will be updating an additional 12 this year.

Mass notification system

WMU has used the existing fire alarm system to add voice emergency messages. The Department of Public Safety can activate campus-wide messages warning building occupants of potential emergencies or hazards (i.e., tornado warning, shooter in the building, or WMU alerts).

Fire alarm upgrades—5-year plan

Many of WMU buildings built during the 1950s to 1970s are ready for building systems upgrades. Over the years the alarm system technology has improved. WMU is committed to keeping our campus safe. The attached list is the building alarm system upgrades recommended for system upgrades. (General Fund and Division of Student Affairs funded—5 year plan)

Bar coding

By bar coding the alarm devices, we can maintain a database of the existing alarm devices, allowing us to provide accurate reporting on existing equipment.

Beta site test for remote troubleshooting

4100 U Simplex Control Panels and email notification

Central monitoring

Central monitoring provides relay points to kitchen hood systems to allow for the kitchen suppression systems to be monitored by the Campus information management system, Central Monitoring Network.