With only boxers and a blanket keeping a young male from indecency, a freshman was forced outside into the cold at 11:32 pm on Jan. 2 after a false fire alarm sounded in Humbert Hall.
On students' first day back to DePauw after winter break, the reliable Humbert fire alarm went off at 11:32 pm. Hunter Wilson '16, was forced out of bed and into the cold, dressed in only boxers, slippers and a blanket.
There is a reason for why the alarms are so temperamental and easy ways to avoid setting the alarm off.
According to Jim Ruark, the Assistant Director of Facilities, "originally when Humbert was built . . . it didn't have fire sprinklers in it. And so the fire alarm panel and system at that time was more sensitive." This means that since the fire alarm system in Humbert is older, but still effective, it is more sensitive to heat, smoke, cleaners, and steam.
One way to avoid setting off this temperamental fire alarm is the way in which you arrange your room. This matters especially in Humbert where dressers are generally taller than those in Hogate or BR.
According to Angela Nally, Director of Public Safety, by stacking dressers to have more space, you are building up, so there is a greater chance of the steam or smoke from curling irons or burnt microwave remnants setting off the alarm.
Another way to stop setting off the fickle fire alarm in Humbert is to use hairspray someplace other than under the detector. If a lot of hairspray is used, the detector can become dirty and set off multiple alarms when the panel is trying to reset itself Nally said.
When asked if he had any complaints concerning the frequent fire alarm he said, "Honestly, I'm more pissed off about the internet tweaking out than I am about the fire alarm."
Overall in the Fall semester of 2012, Humbert only had eight fire alarms go off. This isn't bad considering the fickleness of the alarm.
Ruork said that in a few years when the old system is replaced with a newer and better one, there will be lesser of a chance for students to be forced outside in only a blanket, boxers, and slippers.