Fire Safety Policies

Fire safety is very important to the University community. Most fire-related emergencies can be avoided by practicing fire safety, including avoiding the non-approved items and appliances below.

Non-Approved Items
These items can generally produce enough heat to start a fire if used improperly, or sources of fuel in case of fire, including but not limited to:

  • Candles, lantern, lamps or any other item that produces an open flame
  • Tobacco, incense or any other item that burns or smolders when used
  • All flammable materials (gas, lighter fluid, charcoal, propane, solvents, etc.)
  • All items powered by combustible fuels (such as motorcycles)
  • All fireworks, explosives, etc.
  • All corrosive (or poisonous) chemicals and hazardous materials
  • All lightweight extension cords or multi plug outlet adapters
  • Heavy weight power strips or extension cords without safety circuit breakers
  • Multiple approved power strips connected together (“chaining”)
  • All cords extended through walls, ceilings, affixed to walls, under floor coverings, across corridors, etc
  • Curtains/drapes and anything covering ceilings (tapestries, banners, posters, nets or other combustible materials)
  • Wall decorations covering more than 20% of walls (tapestries, banners, posters or other combustible materials)
  • Crepe paper, plastic or Mylar decorations, ribbons, streamers, etc.
  • Combustible materials as door decorations covering more than 20% of doors total
  • Runners, door mats, or other combustible floor coverings in hallways and suite corridors
  • All standard and “rope type” decorative string lighting (Christmas, chili pepper, etc. lights)

Non-Approved Appliances
These items/devices generally have open elements or that can produce enough heat to start a fire if used improperly, including but not limited to:

  • George Foreman grills or similar cooking appliances
  • Toasters, portable or toaster ovens, etc. (except in designated cooking areas)
  • Hotplates, electric skillets, crock pots, etc.
  • Combination microwaves with broiling elements
  • Submersion coil water heaters
  • BBQ grills, smokeless indoor grills, or open flame devices (charcoal, gas or other fuel)
  • Personal lighting that has an upward facing lamp (regardless of protective cover or bulb type)
  • Non-UL safety approved electric powered appliances
  • All portable heating devices (space heaters of any type)