Fire Protection Systems

All Jefferson building fire protection and life safety components are inspected, maintained, and tested in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Philadelphia Fire Department codes.  Thomas Jefferson University & Hospital provides the following fire protection systems throughout its buildings:

1. Fire Alarm Pull Station
2. Smoke Detector
3. Heat Detector
4. Sprinkler System
5. First Aid Hose Line (Scott Building Only)

Buildings are equipped with manual fire alarm pull stations so that occupants can manually report a fire emergency.  When a fire alarm is activated, the device sends a signal to the fire alarm control panel that activates the local evacuation alarm and notifies the Security Command Center.

Buildings are equipped with automatic smoke detector systems throughout its buildings.  Smoke detectors provide the earliest possible detection of fire.  When a fire is detected, a signal is sent to the fire alarm panel that activates the local evacuation alarm and notifies the Security Command Center. 

All buildings (with the exception of the Scott Building) are fully equipped with automated sprinkler systems.  Some buildings (e.g. Scott Library) only certain areas are equipped with automated sprinkler systems.  Sprinkler systems are used to prevent the spread of fires in their early stages, before any harm is caused to people and damage to property.  The sprinkler will spray water into the room, when sufficient heat reaches the sprinkler head  and causing it to activate.

Hose lines (in the Scott Building) protect primary means of egress for occupants evacuating the building and to confine and extinguish fires.  Indoor hose lines are attached to the standpipes or plumbing system. Jefferson employees are not expected to have knowledge of the first aid hose lines and should only allow qualified personnel to use a hoseline in case of an emergency.