Fire Alarms

Corrosion in smoke detectors and individuals smoking too near these detectors caused a series of fire alarms in Baker Hall at the Business School in January, a spokesman for the fire equipment division of Buildings and Grounds said yesterday.

The alarms, which rang once or twice a day, caused a ten- to 15-minute evacuation Baker Library and various offices in the building, and alerted fire engines from Boston's District 11 firehouse.

John P. Collins, public information officer for the fire department, estimated that each department answer to alarms costs approximately $600 to $650.

Allan P. Slaff, assistant dean for administrative operation of the Business School, said similar fire-alarm problems occurred about three years ago, but he added malicious individuals are not responsible.