STORRS, Conn. (AP) -- A second student housing complex at the University of Connecticut has been placed under a 24-hour fire watch until the school fixes fire code violations.
UConn firefighters and police began patrolling the Charter Oak Apartments around the clock last weekend. The action came two weeks after UConn was ordered to post a fire watch at the adjacent Charter Oak Suites complex because it was built with the wrong fire sprinkler system.
The new fire watch began after the university requested more time to temporarily address gaps in the firewall in the buildings' stairwells. The plan is to install heat detectors in the attics and in gaps between the floors.
UConn was given an initial $582,000 estimate to do the work and asked for more time to seek bids. School officials had estimated that the work would cost $60,000 to $90,000.
The state building inspector and deputy fire marshal agreed to the extension on the condition that the university post the 24-hour fire watch, which will continue until the heat detectors are installed.
UConn plans to fix the problem permanently this summer by ripping out the old stairs, fireproofing the stairwell walls and then building new staircases inside each stairwell.
A 24-hour fire watch has been underway at the Charter Oak Suites since Aug. 31, when officials determined that there were no fire sprinklers in the attic of that building or between the ceilings and floors.
''We feel comfortable that in case of a fire at either of those places, there is a system in place to warn the students and get them out of the building quickly and safely,'' state Building Inspector Christopher Laux said Thursday.
The Charter Oak Apartments are made up of seven buildings that house a total of 500 students. The Charter Oak Suites complex is home to 656 students.
Information from: The Hartford Courant
Copyright 2005 Associated Press
