Fire, Health, and Safety Regulations

The safety of each student is of paramount concern to the University, and we have formulated specific rules and regulations pertaining to fire, health and safety issues. Please be advised that tampering with any fire alarm or fire protection system will result in your being held financially responsible for any damages. Along with financial responsibility, should the circumstances warrant, you could be placed under arrest for tampering with life safety systems.

Citations

Residence Life staff and/or the Fire & Safety Coordinator will issue citations to individuals and/or areas that are in violation of standards regarding Fire, Health and Safety policies and laws. All living areas must be in clean and safe condition. Students will be held accountable for their actions as well as the condition of their room and suite.

Should a fire, health and safety citation be issued, the following sanctions may be applied:

•  First Offense—up to a $50.00 Fire Safety citation per violation at the designation of the Resident/Area Director. (Candles will be confiscated and may be disposed in a manner determined appropriate by the University. In special cases the candle(s) may be returned to the student when they leave campus to return home.
• Second Offense—up to a $100.00 Fire Safety Citation per violation. Repetitive violations will be considered in whether the offending student is permitted to reside in University housing.
• Third Offense and beyond – Fire Safety Citations per violation will be determined at the discretion of the Resident/Area Director.

FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS

A list of prohibited items can be found in the Occupancy and Board contract.

1. The following items are not to be tampered with or obstructed under any circumstances: heat sensors, smoke detectors, fire alarm pull stations, sprinkler heads, fire horns, fire extinguishers, and fire extinguisher cases. Should you have a problem, or suspect that there is a problem with any of the above devices, please call Department of Public Safety or notify your RA immediately. . The misuse or the replacement of a fire extinguisher will result in a monetary fine with possible disciplinary consequences. Should no one be found to be solely responsible, a fine will be levied to all residents of the unit, suite, floor, hall, or townhouse.
   
   Any flame source inside residence halls or townhouses is banned, including but not limited to candles, cigarettes or other smoking material, incense, propane or charcoal grills or hot plates. Candles are prohibited from ownership or use inside the residence halls and townhouses. Violations of the ban of flammable source material inside the residence halls and townhouses, including smoking, burning or ownership of candles will be issued a Fire, Health and Safety citation.
     
2. Electrical Outlets: No extension cords, outlet splitters, or three way “octopus plugs” are allowed in the residence halls and townhouses. The only extension cords that shall be permitted are those that are U.L. approved and contain a circuit breaker. No more than two items may be plugged into the same electrical outlet.
     
3. Halogen Floor Lamps and 5-light floor lamps are banned. They are considered a fire safety hazard because of the intense heat generated by them. Persons in violation of this mandate subject themselves to a fire, health and safety citation.
     
4. Heating Vents: The heating vents in rooms and suites are to remain unobstructed. Blocking heating vents causes an imbalance in the HVAC system and may result in a triggered fire alarm; a fine and/or disciplinary action will occur. If you have problems with your heat, contact Campus Management.
     
5. Fire Drills/Alarms: There will be periodic fire drills throughout the year. Vacate the building through the nearest exit upon hearing the alarm. Disciplinary action & fines will result in noncompliance of the law.
     
6. False Fire Alarms: Each residence hall will be responsible for the secure and appropriate use of its fire alarm system. False alarms that are malicious in nature may be charged to the residents of each building or townhouse block, or to the individual when properly identified and as determined by Smithfield Fire and University Officials.
     
7. Holiday Decoration: All decoration policies will be supplied at the designation and approval of the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students or his designee. These policies will be supplied prior to holiday periods. The University reserves the right to request that decorations and/or lights be removed based upon appropriateness for the entire University community.
     
8. Flammable Items: No flammable items (e.g., charcoal fluid, gas, oil, kerosene, motorcycles, propane tanks, etc.) may be stored or kept in the residence halls or townhouse units. No paper or flammable items are permitted in the corridors. This includes posters and flyers in hallways
     
9. Wall and Ceiling Decorations: No more than 1/3 of a wall in a room or suite shall be covered. Wall hangings or other coverings shall not obstruct passageways or cover ceilings. Absolutely nothing is allowed to cover or hang from the ceilings, or fire safety equipment. Social Greek Organizations residing in designated Greek housing may display a banner no larger than 3 feet x 3 feet in their suite window.
     
10. Open Flames: There is a $1000 fine for persons who start a fire which threatens the safety and security of anyone on campus or causes damage to University property or who maliciously activates a fire alarm system or portable fire extinguisher which results in the activation of the fire alarm system. Items such as candles and incense and other apparatuses which contain accelerants such as gas, propane, kerosene, etc. are not permitted in the residence halls or townhouses and may warrant a Fire, Health and Safety citation for failure to comply with a request from a University official to eliminate them forthwith. Outdoor cooking is permitted only in the barbecue pits provided by the University and in the rear of the townhouse units using a self-contained portable grill. These grills must be a minimum of 10 feet away from the townhouse and attended to when in use.
      
11. Room/Suite/Townhouse Capacity: Residence hall rooms and suites have a limited capacity. In residence halls 1–17, the individual room capacity is eight (8) people. In the suite areas of halls 1–13, 16 & 17, the suite capacity is fifteen (15) people. The townhouse unit capacity is twenty (20) people.
      
12. Trash: Each living area has a responsibility to dispose of trash properly. The Resident Director has specific instructions for each area. It is the responsibility of each resident to familiarize themselves with the set of instructions which applies to their living area. Citations may be issued to individual(s) in violation of fire and safety laws as well as University policies regarding trash.
      
13. Furniture: For fire safety and egress purposes no extra furniture, e.g., couches, bars, rugs, lofts, recliners, entertainment centers, non-University desk chairs etc., are allowed in student bedrooms, suites or common areas. Only University furniture in its proper location is permitted. Non-University desk chairs are only permitted if a doctor’s note for a medical condition is on file with the Office of Residence Life. The doctor’s note must be updated on a yearly basis. Citations will be issued if extra furniture is found in living areas. Improper and unauthorized use of furniture is not permitted.
      
14. Beds: All beds on campus must be on the floor without any modifications. Bed frames cannot be removed from the room or altered in any way. A single set of bed risers may be used.
      
15. Room Exits: The ability to enter and exit a room or suite must be through a clear and unobstructed path at all times.
      
16. The Rhode Island fire law: Interference with Fire Alarm Apparatus clause states that: “Every person who unlawfully and without just cause willfully or knowingly, tampers with, interferes with or in any way impairs any public fire alarm apparatus, wire or associated equipment, shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000 or shall be imprisoned for not less than l nor more than 5 years, or both.” Individuals will be held responsible for any of this equipment that may be located in their living areas.