One of the staples of Triangle’s existence has been to provide housing for its members, thereby creating an environment for enduring friendships. Triangle’s chapter houses are places where our members study, learn key leadership skills, develop friendships, socialize, and perhaps meet their future wives. The chapter houses are also the campus homes where alumni return to rekindle fond memories and friendships.

Unfortunately, over two-thirds of Triangle’s chapter houses are over forty years old. These aging structures affect the safety of our members and the ability of our chapters to be competitive in recruitment. The National Organization’s desire is to provide the safest chapter houses for Triangle Brothers and to provide structures that meet the technological demands of today’s students.

Tragically, each year there are major fires at chapter houses across the nation. Triangle has not been immune to these catastrophes, as our Missouri Mines Chapter House burned to the ground in the late 1980s. While we have been fortunate not to have any disasters since then, we cannot rely on luck alone to prevent property damage, serious injuries, or, in the worst-case scenario, deaths. At a recent fraternity fire, the first fire engine company arrived on the scene immediately. Yet, after only 19 minutes of battling the blaze it was determined that there was no hope of successful rescue. Five students died. With proper precautions and safety measures this tragedy could have been prevented.

Several major items contribute to fraternity fire tragedies:

• non-sprinkled buildings
• broken or missing fire extinguishers and smoke detectors
• electrical circuits overloaded with computer and entertainment equipment
• lack of appropriate fire walls, fire doors, lighted exit signs
• less than adequate means of escape from all rooms and floors

In helping to control fire tragedies, more attention should be paid to detection and suppression systems, UL rated fire doors, and non-combustible interior finishes. Given the ongoing deaths and injuries in chapter house fires, Triangle’s insurance provider urges the Fraternity to strongly consider installation of automatic sprinkler systems. These systems can effectively protect both life and property.

The records of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show no multiple death fires in chapter houses that were equipped with properly functioning sprinkler systems. Additionally, sprinklers typically reduce the average property damage loss by 55-60%.

In addition to Triangle’s concerns for safety, we must also take into account the ability of our chapter homes to meet the needs of today’s students. More and more academic work is being done via computers and the Internet. Students are bringing larger numbers of electronic equipment with them to school. Residence halls and apartments are being remodeled, designed and developed to meet students’ expectations. Triangle cannot afford to let its chapter houses slip behind in this area. It would truly be disappointing to lose a prospective brother because a Fraternity of Engineers, Architects and Scientists is behind the times technologically.