FIRE ALARM
When a fire alarm sounds, all occupants of the building in which the alarm is sounding are required to exit the facility and head to the assembly area designated on each building’s evacuation signage. Assembly areas are placed beyond the collapse zone of a building. The collapse zone is defined as 1½ times the height of the building, including the porch (if a building has such a structure). All individuals who vacate a building during a fire alarm are required to be beyond the collapse zone of the building. Individuals are to refrain from entering a building while an alarm is sounding. If the alarms or emergency personnel give other instructions, follow those instructions.
FIRE DRILL
Fire drills are required for all buildings during the school year. When an alarm sounds, occupants are to follow the announced procedure promptly. Failure to evacuate a building when a fire alarm is sounding, including during a drill, may result in disciplinary action. A building may not be entered while the alarm is sounding. If the alarms or emergency personnel give other instructions, follow those instructions.
FIRE EQUIPMENT
It is unlawful for any person to remove, tamper with or otherwise disturb any fire hydrant, fire detection and alarm system, fire suppression system or other fire appliance required by fire code except for the purposes of extinguishing fire, training, recharging or making necessary repairs or where approved by the fire code official.
Individuals found tampering with fire equipment may be subject to disciplinary action as well as being charged for the replacement costs for any equipment that needs to be replaced or repaired. Tampering with fire equipment or violating fire regulations may also result in civil and/or criminal charges.
FIRE HAZARDS
For the protection of life and campus property, the following items are considered fire hazards and thus are prohibited in all buildings on campus unless prior approved by Campus Safety: All appliances that heat, other than microwaves, including rice cookers, deep fryers, crockpots/hotpots, coffee makers with hot plates, oil/lava lamps, open (spider or torch style) lamps containing incandescent bulbs, objects with open flames, candles/torches, fireworks, incense, bean bag chairs, hover boards and other powered personal conveyances devices, flammable camping equipment (Steno/camping fuels), and overhead objects strung from ceiling tiles (such as string lights).
Combustible chemicals, gasoline and fuel cans used for educational purposes may be stored in an approved flammables cabinet in academic or support buildings.
Only the use of manufactured Christmas trees is permitted in any campus building. Because of the fire hazard, live trees, whether or not decorated with electric lights, are prohibited.
This list should not be considered exhaustive. If you are unsure if an item you possess may be a fire hazard, please consult Campus Safety. Campus Safety will review any request to use any one of these hazardous items for academic purposes. Some residential and academic buildings may have kitchen or break room designated cooking areas with ranges or ovens. Use vent hoods when available when cooking in these areas. The use of a prohibited fire hazard item may result in disciplinary action.
FIREWORKS AND EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS
Unless approved by Campus Safety as part of a Southern-sanctioned activity, fireworks, explosives, or any mixture of chemicals or substances that can cause fire, smoke, or explosions are prohibited on campus, including in outdoor areas. The storage of personally
owned fireworks or chemicals must occur off campus.
Violators of this policy are subject to university disciplinary action, and potential restitution costs as a result of damage that occurred from smoke, fire, or explosions, as well as potential local, state, and/or federal civil and/or criminal charges.