By ALEX JIMENEZ
Pima Post
Students and faculty in the J Building at Pima Community College’s West Campus have become used to hearing the ultra-loud fire alarm.
At least eight fire alarms have pealed through the building since the first day of Fall classes.
According to Aubrey Conover, campus vice president, the primary reason for the rash of fire alarms has been the Tucson Fire Department testing pressure in the lines, which can trigger the alarms.
On some days, the alarm only sounds off one time. On Sept. 28, however, the J Building experienced three fire alarms, much to people’s consternation.
“The fire detection/protection contractor was called to evaluate the situation,” said Ouatfa Chuffe-Moscoso, director of Environmental Health and Safety for PCC. “The cause of the multiple fire alarms was a sensor that failed to reset after the original occurrence. The system was reset, and the sensor will be replaced to prevent future problems.”
The alarm again was triggered in the J Building on Oct. 8 before shutting off as classes were evacuating the building.
The J Building is made of four floors with classes taking place on three of the floors. People evacuating from the highest floor to the parking lot must troop down 84 stairs each time the alarm sounds.
“I think I might actually lose the weight I gained over quarantine if it goes off a couple more times,” said Joseph Barajas, a student on Pima West Campus.