Guide to Student Housing and Dining Services2023-24 Policies

VII. Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Policies

1. Fire Safety

Fire safety is taken very seriously on campus, and you are expected to adhere to the following regulations. For reasons of safety, the fire department has imposed restrictions on furnishings and some electrical equipment. Hallways and walkways, as well as building entrance and exit areas, need to be clear at all times. No items should be stored in these areas at any time. This includes, but is not limited to, bicycles and trash. Below is a breakdown of further fire safety regulations.

• COOKING/WARMING APPLICANCES - Small appliances and hot air popcorn poppers may be used in community and apartment kitchens.
  • RESIDENCE HALLS: These items may not be used in rooms or suites with the exception of coffee pots, Keurigs and microwaves. Appliances in rooms often activate the sensitive fire alarm system.
• ELECTRICAL SAFETY – Modifications to or changes in electrical wiring are prohibited as are splices, octopuses, or modification devices used to add plugs. Only UL approved, grounded power strips with fuses may be used.
• EVACUATION – Residents must evacuate the building when a fire alarm has sounded.
• FALSE ALARM – Residents may not intentionally or recklessly activate an alarm in a non-emergency situation.
• FIRE – Causing, attempting to cause, or contributing to the continuation of a fire is prohibited.
• FIREWORKS – Fireworks of any type are prohibited.
• FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS – Flammable liquids and other hazardous materials may not be stored or used in Student Housing and Dining Services buildings. This includes, but is not limited to, gasoline and lighter fluid.
• MOTORIZED VEHICLES – All items defined in the motorized vehicle section of this document are prohibited in buildings.
• OPEN FLAMES - Students are not permitted to use anything that produces an open flame, such as candles, cigarettes, hookahs, and incense, in their rooms, suites, or apartments.
• ROOM and APARTMENT DECORATIONS – Large wall hangings must be treated with a flame retardant. Exterior room doors may not be more than 33% covered. Student Housing and Dining Services reserves the right to adjust this percentage and will notify residents if any change is made. Paper or plastic may not be used to cover any light or light fixture. Lighting fixtures, including holiday lights, may not be hung on any surface outside rooms or suites including windows and doors.
• TAMPERING – Tampering with fire suppression/safety equipment, including but not limited to fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire alarm pull stations, automatic door closers, and sprinklers, is prohibited. Tampering includes covering smoke detectors, hanging items from sprinklers or sprinkler pipes, damaging fire exit signs, or otherwise disabling fire suppression equipment.
• 3D PRINTERS and Lasers - 3D printers, lasers and related crafting devices are not to be used within any residential building. In addition to the potential fire potential, noxious chemicals and smoke will cause additional risks.

2. Fire Alarms, Smoke Detectors, and Fire Sprinklers

All on campus communities are equipped with fire detection devices and manual pull stations. When manual pull stations are activated, the building fire alarm will sound and the UC Davis Fire Department will respond. Individual student rooms in the Residence Halls and at The Green are equipped with smoke detectors that sound a local alarm within the affected room. Smoke detectors are placed in each apartment at Orchard Park and Primero Grove.

Each resident needs to be aware of the sensitivity of fire detection devices in their rooms, hallways, and apartments. They can be activated by foreign materials (e.g., water, smoke, aerosol sprays and dust) or sudden shock (e.g., being hit or touched). Fire detection devices cannot function as designed if they are covered, taken down, or have objects hanging from them. As a result, such activity is not permitted. Tampering with or activating an alarm in a non-emergency situation, or the presence of illegal cooking devices that cause an activation of the system, will result in disciplinary action as well as the assessment of a charge for costs attributed to the false alarm.

3. Fire Extinguishers

All living areas are equipped with fire extinguishers to be used in the event a minor fire occurs. These are typically located near stairways, exits, and kitchens. Learn their locations and instructions. Please notify staff if an extinguisher has been used or is missing. Do not allow guests or children to play with fire extinguishers.

4. Torchiere Halogen Lamps

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning to consumers that the light bulbs in most torchiere style halogen lamps can reach very high temperatures and could start a fire if they come in contact with curtains, clothes, or other flammable materials. It is because of this increased fire and safety risk that torchiere halogen lamps are prohibited.

5. Door with Electromagnetic Hold-Open Devices

The Residence Halls and The Green have doors for rooms, stairways, and corridors that are equipped with electromagnetic hold open devices and contain a self-closing device to aid in the closing/latching the door during a fire alarm activation. These doors cannot be propped open and tampering with these doors is a violation of the fire/life safety code.

6. Household Safety and Carbon Monoxide

All appliances must be in good working order and used responsibly. They must be approved for use by Underwriters' Laboratory (UL) and free of wiring defects.

7. Personal & Community Safety

The UC Davis police department is located on Kleiber Hall Drive, southeast of the University Credit Union Center and across the street from Briggs Hall. UC Davis Police provide the Safe Rides service for students who would like a safety escort while walking alone on campus at night. Call 530-754-COPS (2677) or use the TapRide app to request a safety escort. Visit the Safe Rides website for more information.