Fire Safety: Information and Policies

Appliances, Electronic Devices, and Decorations

A. Allowed electronic devices include but are not limited to: Computers and related devices, cell phones, tablets, gaming consoles, GPS devices, clock radios, and televisions. Stereos and fish tanks, where approved, must be plugged into an electrical outlet utilizing a surge protector and their electrical cords must be in good repair.

B. Appliances and electronic devices not permitted include, but are not limited to: Room heaters (electric or gas), air conditioners, personal refrigerators, dishwashers, free-standing freezers, extension cords, humidifiers, oil lamps (lava lamps), electric incense, and oil warmers.

Black lights, halogen lights, holiday lights, neon lights, all electric decorations, strobe lights, and fog/smoke-making machines are also not permitted in student housing.

C. Electronic cooking appliances are not permitted in the residence halls. These appliances include but are not limited to: Microwaves, coffee makers, electric kettles/water heaters, rice cookers, electric skillets, electric grills (George Foreman grills and similar), toasters/toaster ovens, hot plates, popcorn poppers, and slow cookers/“hot pots”.

Only residents living in apartments or Ag Housing may bring electronic cooking devices. These include rice cookers, toasters, blenders, indoor grilling machines, etc. These items may only be used in the kitchen areas and all appliances must be directly supervised at all times while in use.

D. Refrigerators must be kept in an open space that allows ventilation. Refrigerators may not be placed in room closets or underneath desks.

Students with medical needs requiring additional refrigeration space need to contact University Housing at (805) 756-1226.

E. State fire code prohibits the use of any open flames including, but not limited to: Candles (lit or unlit), incense, and “sterno” devices. Lighting or attempting to light any material/substance on fire, as well as the use of matches or lighters within student housing, is strictly prohibited. Battery operated candles may be utilized in rooms.

F. Posters, flags, drapes, paper lanterns, or other flammable materials cannot be hung from ceilings, doorways, windows, closets, or furniture. Posters may be hung normally from walls but must be affixed to the wall at all four corners. Students may not post anything on the outside of room doors and cannot cover room doors with paper or other materials. Use care when hanging anything on the walls to avoid potential damage charges at move out.

Student Responsibility

Students are expected to take reasonable care to prevent damage to the premises by fire or other causes.

Violations of any of the below policies may be cause for immediate removal from student housing, revocation of your housing license, and/or financial responsibility for any damages.

A. Tampering with the fire alarm or fire safety equipment is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to: Tampering with sprinklers, covering a smoke detector, pulling a fire alarm without cause, misusing fire extinguishers and hoses, tampering with fire/smoke alarms and exit signs, and breaking glass on fire equipment boxes. Residents may be held responsible for intentional or unintentional negligence that leads to fire alarms/sprinklers being activated.

B. Dangerous chemicals or highly flammable materials which are not permitted include, but are not limited to: Gasoline, industrial cleaning solvents, spray paint, personal barbecues, charcoal, lighter fluid, vehicle parts, fuel and oil.

C. Explosives and weapons of any kind are prohibited. No student may possess or discharge any type of weapon including, but not limited to: A firearm, airsoft/paintball gun, fireworks, archery equipment, non-kitchen style knives, brass/metal knuckles, ammunition, air tanks, stun guns, explosives, or any device that can propel an object any distance.

D. Hallways and stairwells must remain clear at all times for safety in case of an evacuation. Residents must not leave personal items in the halls at any time, including during building openings and closings.

E. Never cover lamps with clothing, paper, curtains, or other items that might ignite and/or burn. Do not run electrical cords under rugs, through doorways, or against furniture where they can be pinched or walked on. This can result in the wearing/fraying of cords and can lead to exposed wires, electric shocks, and fires. In addition, keep furniture spaced away from electrical plugs a sufficient distance so that cords are not sharply bent or pressed tightly between the furniture and the outlet.

F. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO EVACUATE BUILDINGS FOR ALL FIRE ALARMS.

Campus building evacuation procedures can be found at the following link:

https://afd.calpoly.edu/clery/reports/fire-safety-report.pdf

Please read the University Housing Resident Handbook for any additional information regarding fire policies, regulations, recommendations, and prohibited items.

Emergency Procedures: Fires in Progress and Potential Fires

Every fire alarm is to be treated as a genuine emergency. It is each resident’s responsibility to leave the building whenever a fire alarm sounds. Fire drills are conducted quarterly in each University Housing Community. Residents are expected to evacuate the building and proceed to their designated evacuation areas for attendance and further staff instruction. Failure to evacuate properly will result in community standards action.

The University Police Department and the Fire Department will automatically be notified when your smoke detector goes off in on-campus housing. If you set off your alarm and there is no fire, please contact the University Police Department at (805) 756-2281. They will still send an officer to verify your safety and turn off the alarm. If you live in the Cal Poly Lofts, call the SLO Police Department at (805) 781-7312 instead. 

All fires in campus facilities must be reported immediately to the University Police via 911.

The current Campus Safety Report (Clery Report), which contains more information on Cal Poly’s emergency management plans, can be found at this link:

http://www.afd.calpoly.edu/police/services/docs/CleryReport.pdf

What Actions Should Students Take When They Encounter a Fire or Potential Fire?

A. Any time you are unable to safely extinguish a fire, evacuate the area and activate the fire alarm.

B. If a fire is discovered and you are in your room, test your door for heat, smoke, or warmth. If your door IS NOT HOT, leave your room immediately. Wear shoes, bring your keys/access card/wallet, close the door, activate the fire alarm, and evacuate the building using the nearest stairwell and exit.

C.  Always close as many doors as possible between you and the fire. Hallway and stairwell doors are considered fire doors and must be kept closed at all times.

D. Once outside in the designated evacuation area, maintain 100 feet of clearance from the building.

E. Re-enter the building only after receiving instructions from staff to do so.

F. If your door IS HOT, DO NOT OPEN IT. Remain calm, place towels or blankets at the base of the door, close your window, and call 911.

G. If there is smoke present, stay low to the ground.

What Actions Can Students Take to Protect Themselves from Cooking Fires?

A. Never leave any item unattended while cooking.

B. Check twice to ensure correct cooking time and temperature.

C. When cooking with oil, always use a cooking thermometer.

D. Only use containers, utensils, and cookware that are appropriate for the appliances you are using to cook.

E. Clean any debris and residue off of your stove prior to cooking. If you don’t, it will burn and create smoke.

F. Keep wooden utensils, pot holders, towels, packaging, paper, etc., away from the stove.

G. Use the fan above your stove when cooking (on/off switch is located on the microwave).

H. Always have pot holders and lids at the ready when cooking.

I. Keep your fire extinguisher readily accessible (a fire extinguisher is mounted on the wall in the kitchen). If you cannot safely put out the fire, leave your apartment immediately!

J. If there is a cooking fire, attempt to put out the fire by placing the lid on the pan and removing it from heat.

K. If necessary, secure the area and call 911.

L. Immediately inform University Housing staff of any cooking-related accidents and any use of your fire extinguisher. The extinguisher will need to be replaced if used.