Fire Safety Policy

• Any type of open flame including candles and incense
• Reed and oil diffusers
• Propane, butane, lighter fluid, gasoline (of any type), compressed gas/air cylinders or any other explosive/flammable material
• Space heaters and air conditioning units of any kind
• The use of smoking devices or equipment that includes, but is not limited to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), vaporizers, hookahs, and pipes are strictly prohibited within the residence halls
• Microwaves are NOT permitted in the traditional or suite-style residence hall rooms. Residents are permitted one MicroFridge unit per room. MicroFridge units must be rented from the MicroFridge Company. If you bring your own refrigerator, the maximum capacity is 3.2 cubic feet with an amperage draw of no more than 1.4. Microwaves are permitted in any of our on-campus apartments. Only one microwave is permitted per apartment with an amperage draw of no more than 9 and must be kept in the kitchen area.
• Cooking devices are prohibited in traditional and suite-style residence hall rooms; however, cooking appliances with sealed or enclosed heating elements are permitted in the apartments; some examples are: crock-pots, airstream ovens and fryers, toasters and toaster ovens, rice cookers and Instapots, fry pans, auto shut-off coffee makers, health grills (such as George Foremen) and microwave ovens. These items must be used and kept in the kitchen.

Extension cords must meet the following guidelines:

• 14-gauge, 3-wire grounded or heavier rating should the appliance it is supplying require a heavier cord rating 
• 10 feet or less in length
• Extension cords shall never be strung together such as connecting two 10-foot cords across an area
• Only one extension cord per outlet is permitted, with only one item plugged into each extension cord
• Extension cords shall never be strung across or secured to the ceiling, furniture or under floor coverings
• It is recommended that you use power strips with built-in circuit breakers to avoid overloading the electrical outlets. Never chain together (plug into each other) surge protectors or power strips.

Incandescent, halogen, neon lamps and bulbs and other heat-producing lamps are prohibited. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or LED lamp fixtures are the recommended lamp or fixture to be used.

All residence halls are equipped with automatic Fire Alarm Systems. The systems include photoelectric smoke detectors in common areas (corridors, lounges, etc.), mechanical rooms, and special use rooms, as well as in each sleeping area. All fire alarms are monitored at the desk and report to Public Safety and Police Services. The smoke detection devices are very sensitive, and may be activated by aerosol sprays, hair care products, and hair irons. Caution should be taken to avoid detectors when using these products. Students using cooking appliances should never leave the stove or oven unattended, or cook at a temperature setting higher than necessary to avoid causing a stove-top fire or generating smoke that may activate nearby detectors. Manual pull stations are installed near building exits that permit occupants to activate the alarm should they detect a fire condition before the smoke detector activates.

With the exception of the Golden Bear Village West and the Honors Building, all buildings are equipped with voice-communication fire alarm systems. This means that the alarm provides voice instruction to the occupants to evacuate the building; these alarm systems are also used to broadcast mass notification messages. In Golden Bear Village West and Honors Hall, alarm bells/horns sound to notify the residents to evacuate. All fire alarm systems are tested and inspected twice annually by qualified Simplex Grinnell technicians. All residence halls and apartments are equipped with portable Fire Extinguishers. In University Place and Golden Bear Villages they are located inside each suite or apartment. In all other halls, the fire extinguishers are in the corridors. Fire extinguishers should be used by trained individuals only. These units are inspected regularly and serviced annually.

All residence halls and apartments have full Fire Sprinkler Protection. Where required by code, some buildings have standpipe systems that are used to supply water to fire hoses on each floor for firefighters. DO NOT tamper with, block, or hang any article or decoration from any portion of the fire sprinkler system. The sprinkler systems are inspected twice per year.