Common Problems

Almost half of all the fraternities and sororities inspected in 2012 had violations related to smoke detectors. An object hanging on a smoke detector can impair its ability to detect smoke. The University of Illinois’ Fire Safety Report from 2012 notes that smoke is “the major cause of death from fires within residence halls.”

Many of the violations that inspectors find are from extension cord issues. Inspectors look for flexible extension cords that are pressed under doors and extension cords that are linked to other extension cords, a dangerous setup also known as a “daisy chain.”

Inspectors sometimes cite Greek houses and non-Greek houses for hanging things on fire sprinklers.

“It’s pretty much constant,” said Tim Spear, a Champaign housing inspector. “We always have some houses that just aren’t putting forth the effort.”

These photos, taken in 2012 by Champaign inspectors, exemplify fire safety violations.