Since the tragic nightclub fire in West Warwick, R.I. that claimed the lives of 99 people at The Station, fire safety has come under scrutiny in clubs, restaurants and several other types of establishments. Northeastern University is no exception.

Two fire safety bills filed by Massachusetts Representative John Fresolo in the House proposed mandatory sprinkler and smoke systems in all residence halls in the state of Massachusetts. The bills, No. 3025 and 3027, are scheduled to go before the House sometime this month. If both are passed, the university would have a grace period of five years to install the systems in all residence halls.

Currently, buildings built before 1975, or buildings that are 70 feet high or smaller (approximately seven stories) are not required to have sprinkler systems, according to the Massachusetts State Fire Marshall’s office. This means that most of NU’s freshman residence halls and other older residence halls fall into the grandfather clause and are not required by state law to be equipped with such systems.

The university said it will not comment on pending legislation but assured The News that all buildings are up to code.

“If the codes pass, we will comply with them,” said Director of University Communications Ed Klotzbier. “We cannot comment on a cost or time frame without being familiar with the exact legislation.”

Associate Dean and Director of Residential Life M.L. Langlie said that fire safety has always been a focus of the university.

“Fire safety is always a focus for Residential Life and for Public Safety, so our policy in this area is in good shape and always being reviewed and improved as needed,” Langlie said. “Based on the fire in West Warwick, where individuals tried to leave the building the same way they came in rather than using fire exits, we have included items in hall newsletters reminding residents to be familiar with the fire exits for their room or apartment and to use their assigned fire exit, if it is safe to do so, in the case of a fire.”

As for occupancy rates, forced triples for example, which are most common in freshman residence halls, Klotzbier said that the university’s office of government relations and community affairs deals with the city to clear occupancy rates.

The Acting Director of Government Relations and Community Affairs Jeanne Levesque could not be reached for comment after several attempts.

Whether the bills pass or not, Residential Life and Public Safety are working with one another to educate and protect students living in leased university properties.

“We are working with Public Safety to develop a fire safety brochure specifically for residents who live in Northeastern University’s leased properties,” Langlie said. “The brochure, which will be distributed to leased property residents beginning fall 2003, will educate students about specific fire safety features unique to their buildings.”

As far as process and procedures go, the university will continue to drill students to ensure they understand emergency exit policies.

“For the safety of students we drill egress procedures over and over again, so people know we have to get you out of the building,” Klotzbier said. “That loud obnoxious noise? That is to get you out of the building [safely]. That’s what we try to do to provide safety of students.”

Langlie added that residents on campus are educated on safety procedures several times during the school year.

“Freshmen attending summer orientation are also given a list of items not permitted in the residence halls, including candles, incense, halogen lamps, sun lamps, hot pots, electric frying pans, coffee pots, space heaters, toaster ovens,” she said. “We are always working to ensure that students are aware of fire safety policies and emergency procedures. This information is included in the License Agreement, Guide to Residence Living and covered during New Student Orientation. Hall newsletters routinely remind students of fire safety protocol and what items are not permitted in the residence halls for fire safety reasons.”

Additionally, Resident Assistants tour all rooms and apartments each quarter to ensure that student’s abide by all safety restrictions.