Fire prevention policies and procedures
University Housing has developed policies and procedures for a safe community. These procedures are communicated to the residence halls students through the publication, Housing Hallmarks.
Students are also responsible for the policies of the Student Code, which are the rules and regulations for all students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The applicable fire prevention policies are as follows:
Student code policies
University Housing Hallmarks policies and procedures
Visit the University Housing website to view all of the University Housing Hallmarks policies.
- The unauthorized use, abuse, or interference with fire protection equipment, firefighting personnel, or warning devices may result in death, injury, or substantial property damage. It is critically important that all fire protection equipment be in its place and in proper working condition if the safety and welfare of the members of the university community are to be assured.
- It is a violation of Illinois criminal law to willfully or maliciously cut, injure, damage, tamper with or destroy any fire hydrant, fire hose, fire engine, or other public or private firefighting equipment or any apparatus pertaining to such equipment or firefighting personnel, or to intentionally open any fire hydrant without proper authorization. It is also a violation of Illinois criminal law to knowingly, without authorization, damage any property supported in whole or in part with state funds or federal funds administered or granted through a state agency. Other Illinois laws may also relate to the unauthorized use, abuse, or interference with fire protection equipment or warning devices.
- A violation of any federal, state, or local law concerning fire protection equipment or firefighting personnel may result in suspension or dismissal from the university.
- Tampering with locks, other door hardware, cameras or other equipment used to provide security on campus (including the unauthorized propping of doors) may result in suspension or dismissal from the university.
- Enabling unauthorized access to campus facilities by providing keys or access cards or by other means may result in suspension or dismissal from the university.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited on all campus property at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, both indoors and outdoors, in university-owned vehicles and in privately-owned vehicles parked on campus property.
Candles
Due to fire hazards associated with an open flame, open flames are prohibited. Candles may not be kept or burned in individual residence hall rooms.
Fireworks
Fireworks or pyrotechnic explosive devices are not permitted by state statutes and are prohibited in the residence halls.
Flammables
Any substance that potentially could cause fire, damage, or explosion is not permitted inside the residence halls. This provision includes kerosene heaters and fuel, fuel containers for motorcycles or motor vehicles, as well as candles, open flames, fragrance pots, blow torches, bottled propane, and similar burning devices.
Decorations
The Fire Department must inspect any major decorative construction (e.g., platforms, haunted houses, and obstacle courses) for fire safety before it is used. Students should follow these expectations for fire-safe decorations:
- Use fire-resistant materials in student rooms and at social events.
- Do not overload electrical outlets or extension cords.
- Do not run electrical cords under carpet, through doorways or windows, or behind pillows.
- Provide adequate safety lighting at all social events.
- Do not obstruct access to exits and fire extinguishers.
- Natural, live trees are not permitted.
- Decorations may not be hung from ceilings.
Appliances
Residents may use a reasonable number of UL-approved electronic devices in their room so long as they do not present a fire hazard or consume an excess of power. Devices with an exposed heating element are considered a fire hazard. The following appliances are permitted in the residence halls:
- Alarm clock
- Blender
- Computer
- Curling iron, electric razor, and hairdryer
- Desk/study lamp
- Electric blanket
- Electric coffee maker/tea maker
- Fan
- Microwave up to 800 watts (one per room)
- Popcorn popper
- Refrigerator (no more than one per room – 4.4 cubic feet)
- Video game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Wii, etc.)
- Stereo
- TV, Blu-Ray or DVD player
Cooking
Cooking meals is only permitted in designated hall kitchenettes. Hall kitchenettes are not intended for regular meal preparation because they cannot accommodate the number of residents in each hall.
Use of microwave ovens, popcorn poppers, or other approved electrical appliances is permitted in resident rooms for preparation of snacks. One micro-fridge unit is provided in all Sherman Hall and Daniels Hall rooms. Residents may not prepare meals in their room, as it is a violation of state health codes. Residents may be charged up to $50 per occurrence or lose their Housing contract. Toasters, toaster-ovens, and grills are not permitted in resident rooms at any time.
Extension cords and power strips
Extension cords are to be used with small electrical appliances only, such as an alarm clock, lamp, or popcorn popper, and should be sized for the electrical load being served. Only one appliance should be plugged in at a time. However, power strips with surge suppressants are strongly encouraged for all electrical needs, especially large appliances such as refrigerators, computers, and stereos. Power strips should include a self-contained fuse, which reduces the risk of a tripped circuit breaker on the floor.
Construction
Construction such as panels, dividers, lofts, shelves, and bunks is not permitted. Residents may not place boards or weights on radiator covers or wall-mounted bookshelves and may not place beds on top of other furniture. Hot tubs are not permitted.
Halogen lamps
Due to the high risk of fire, halogen lamps are not permitted in the residence halls.
Incense
The residence halls are smoke-free environments; therefore, incense is not permitted in the halls.
Motorcycles/scooters
Motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, and all such motorized vehicles must be registered with the university, parked only in designated motorcycle lots, and operated in accordance with rules of the road for automobiles. They may not be driven on bike paths or sidewalks, and they may not be brought inside any residence hall. Fuel or fuel containers (even if empty) may not be brought inside any room or building; doing so is prohibited by state statutes.
Bikes, scooters and motor-driven cycles must remain outside at all times. Storage of bicycles within the halls is prohibited because of lack of space in the residence halls, potential damage to buildings, and the blockage of escape routes during a fire or emergency.
Room Inspections
During announced periods and during vacations, staff members may inspect rooms to assess possible fire and life-safety hazards. Damage in residents’ rooms will also be noted during these inspections. Staff do not open drawers or search through personal belongings. They will report apparent violations of regulations or statutes to the appropriate office. Residents are billed for damages, missing furniture, or irregularities encountered in the room.
Life-safety room inspections are conducted early in the fall semester and again as needed by the resident advisor or Housing Facilities staff. Staff will assess the hazards or life-safety concerns associated with the following items:
- Extension cords: damaged, overloaded, routed under carpet, not UL-approved, etc.
- Overloaded electrical outlets: UL approved power strips with circuit breakers should be used.
- Refrigerators: less than 4.4 cubic feet, restricted to one per room
- Hazardous cooking and household appliances: microwaves are the only cooking appliances permitted; halogen lamps and space heaters are not permitted.
- Flammable liquids: storage of kerosene, fuel, or fuel containers is not permitted.
- Self-closing door hinges: may not be removed from student rooms and hallway doors.
- Excessive combustible materials: excess trash/recyclables; ceilings, smoke detectors, walls or windows covered with drapes/posters; excessive holiday light strings; etc.
- Lofts: not permitted
- Furnishings contacting room heaters
- Smoke detector functioning and not tampered with, covered, disconnected, or removed
- Cigarettes, candles, incense: use is not permitted in the residence halls.
Plans for future improvements in fire safety
Campus fire safety officials review fire safety policies and equipment on an ongoing basis. While there are no specific plans for future improvements, fire safety officials will continue to maintain, continually assess, and upgrade fire safety apparatus as needed.