Opinion ID: 148261
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Fire and Safety Equipment in the Jail

Text: Next, Davis contends there was a substantial risk to his safety in the jail's lack of fire and safety equipment. Notably, the jail's fire sprinkler system was painted over and inoperable. Davis also asserts the jail had no oxygen tanks or other fire safety equipment, except for the fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Moreover, he claims the inmates were left without supervision at meal times when the officer on duty left to get dinner for the inmates. He asserts the district court did not acknowledge or analyze the jail's lack of equipment and insufficient facilities. This case is very similar to Standish v. Bommel, 82 F.3d 190 (8th Cir.1996) (per curiam). In Standish, an inmate filed a section 1983 action alleging the prison officials violated his Eighth Amendment rights due to the nature of his confinement. Id. at 191. The inmate asserted the defendants were deliberately indifferent to the risk of fire in the jail because the jail had no smoke detectors or water sprinklers, was inadequately ventilated, and lacked sufficient emergency procedures. Id. This court first concluded the deliberate indifference standard applies to prison conditions affecting fire safety. Id. Applying this standard to the facts of the case, the court concluded the following: After careful review of the record, we conclude that Standish failed to make a sufficient showing that defendants were deliberately indifferent to serious risks of fire safety to withstand defendants' motion for summary judgment. The evidence showed that the only recent fires started when inmates set fire to mattresses or bedding; that neither Standish nor anyone else had been injured by smoke inhalation or fire; and that prison officials had taken action to deal with fire hazards, for example, by prohibiting smoking in HU 5C. Thus, Standish's allegations did not rise above mere negligence. Id. at 192. As a result, the court affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment. Id. As an initial matter, we recognize Standish is a per curiam opinion with a limited discussion of facts. However, we find its reasoning persuasive. Davis's claims mirror those set forth by the inmate in Standish. The officers in each case took action to deal with fire hazards by prohibiting smoking. Similarly, the facilities in each case lacked operable sprinklers and the officers were alleged to have a lack of emergency training. Moreover, the cause of the fire in each case appears to be attributable to another inmate lighting a mattress on fire. Davis's case is distinguishable in part because he appeared to suffer some injury due to the smoke inhalation. However, other facts in this case are more favorable than those in Standish the jail here had operable smoke detectors and the officers conducted protective sweeps for contraband just five days before the fire took place. Under these circumstances, Davis presents no sufficient reason to depart from the reasoning in Standish. The jail's inoperable sprinklers and lack of extra fire equipment such as oxygen tanks do not, standing alone, amount to deliberate indifference in light of the officers' actions in searching for contraband, as well as the fire extinguishers and smoke detectors that were present at the time of the fire. As a result, we conclude the district court was correct in granting summary judgment on Davis's claims relating to the fire and safety equipment in the jail.