An unusually high fire alarm malfunctions occurred, mainly due to the weather, during the winter break at York, costing the university each time.
From December 30 to January 5, York experienced 19 fire alarms; 14 were malfunctions, the causes of four are unknown, and the rest were caused by other emergencies.
Richard Frankci, assistant vice-president, campus services & business operation, says a large number of these malfunctions occurred as a result of pipes freezing, caused by the extreme cold weather in December.
Each time the fire alarm is pulled, a fire signal is sent off to Toronto Fire Services, with the university being billed for each time they come to campus.
For the period of November 25 to January 5, the total cost to York of the 44 fire alarm signals, including 27 malfunctions, is $33,750.
Frankci says the university pays approximately $1,250 each time the fire department comes on campus to investigate a fire alarm, regardless of whether or not there is a fire.
Hamid Adem
News Editor
