Institute Policy on Fire Safety It is the policy of the California Institute of Technology ("the Institute") to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, codes, and standards in regard to fires, fire safety, and fire protection. The Institute recognizes that campus fire safety is vitally important to the Institute community, and thus is committed to maintaining a safe environment for Institute faculty, staff, students, and other members of the Institute community. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for establishing and maintaining fire safety procedures with respect to the undergraduate and graduate student houses and dormitories ("student living areas" or "student housing") at the Institute. RESPONSIBILITIES Environmental, Health & Safety Office ("Safety Office") The Safety Office, in conjunction with the Housing Office ("Housing"), ensures that the student living areas are a safe environment. The Safety Office conducts periodic walkthroughs of student housing in order to identify fire/life safety issues; inspects emergency exit signs and lighting; inspects and maintains fire extinguishers; assists in timely correction of fire code deficiencies; and assists in the design of fire suppression, detection and alarm systems. The Safety Office also investigates fire incidents and follows-up with fire safety recommendations. Furthermore, the Safety Office provides fire safety training for students (including fire extinguisher and evacuation training) and, with Housing, conducts fire drills. The Safety Office works closely with the Institute's insurance carrier and the Institute Risk Manager and acts as liaison to the local fire department. Physical Plant Physical Plant's Operations and Maintenance (O&M) division performs annual inspections, testing, and maintenance of the electronic fire alarm and fire suppression systems. O&M assists in evacuation drills. Physical Plant's Campus Planning and Construction division designs and installs fire alarm detection and suppression systems in accordance with fire and building codes. Campus Security and Parking Services Office ("Security") Security is responsible for responding to all fire safety alarms and emergency calls involving fire safety. Security also monitors fire detection and suppression alarms. Security completes fire incident notifications, including "false" fire alarms. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs ensures that the Office of Campus Life, the Undergraduate Dean's Office, the Graduate Studies Office, and other appropriate offices within the Division of Student Affairs are enforcing fire safety programs in areas under their control. In addition, they provide assistance to the Safety Office in conducting safety inspections, correcting violations, scheduling fire safety training and evacuation drills, and implementing fire prevention and evacuation policies. Office of Campus Life and Housing Housing, in conjunction with the Safety Office, ensures that the student living areas are a safe environment. Housing coordinates with the Safety Office to schedule required fire safety and evacuation drills. If any fire hazards are identified, Housing will promptly notify the appropriate Institute office(s). Housing will notify students regarding any items that have been or will be removed from the undergraduate or graduate student living areas. In the case of hazards that pose an immediate risk to life safety, Security, Safety, Housing, and Physical Plant may take corrective action immediately. Students Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the Institute's fire safety policy, and complying with all Institute fire safety rules and applicable laws. Furthermore, students are responsible for reporting fire hazards to the Safety, Security, or Housing Office. Students are encouraged to take an active role in furthering fire safety in their residences. FIRE SAFETY GUIDELINES Barbecues Prior to their initial use, barbecues must be approved by Housing. Both gas and charcoal-burning barbecues are permitted. Barbecues may only be used outdoors. Bonfires Bonfires may only be held in approved locations upon receipt of permits required from the City of Pasadena with prior written permission of the offices of Safety, Security, Campus Life and the appropriate Dean's Office. The organizers of any bonfire are responsible for cleanup of the site. The Safety Office reserves the right to determine that conditions exist which would make the bonfire unsafe, and to cancel or shut down the bonfire, if it poses a safety hazard. Decorations In general, decorations must not cover, block, or hide exit signs, lights or fire safety equipment. To the extent possible, students should minimize the amount of combustible materials that are used and/or stored in living areas. Room decorations such as fishnets, parachutes, and fabrics are a source of fuel and can spread a fire. Old newspapers, cardboard boxes and magazines can also accelerate the speed of a fire. Particular attention should be given to decorations for special occasions. Fresh cut Christmas trees must be treated with fire retardant and artificial trees must be labeled as made of non-combustible material. Christmas trees must not be burned in fireplaces. Candles, pine and fir trees, pine boughs, costumes, and straw represent special fire hazards and should always be supervised and strictly limited. Electrical Appliances All equipment utilized (lights, halogen lights, wires, plugs, connections, etc.) must be Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) approved and in good condition. The only pole or torchiere halogen lamps allowed are those which are UL- or FM-approved and which are equipped with 300-watt (or less) bulbs and which are protected by appropriate bulb guards. The use of improvised wiring and multi-outlet adapters (i.e., adapters that allow two or more appliances to be plugged into one outlet) are prohibited. Housing will provide one complimentary surge-protected power strip to each student to be used when multiple appliances need to be plugged into an outlet. Electrical cooking appliances such as coffee pots and hot plates and other cooking appliances must be used only in kitchen areas, and should be attended at all times while in use. Housing approved space heaters may be used in student rooms and must be attended while in use. Combustible Hazardous Materials Flammable liquids, gases, solids, and explosives, including fireworks, may not be possessed or used on Institute property except in approved campus locations under the authority of the faculty for reasons of academic research, laboratory, or teaching activities. Of particular note are the following two hazards: Explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices Explosives are extremely hazardous and it is illegal and against Institute policy to possess either manufactured or improvised explosives in a residence or living quarters. Use and storage of explosives is strictly controlled by local, state, and federal laws and with the exception of a few specific research labs, are not allowed on campus. Explosive materials used for the Fleming Canon must be stored with Security. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) regulates types of explosives from fireworks to dynamite. See http://www.atf.treas.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/listofexp.htm for the latest list of such materials. Misuse of chemicals and stockroom privileges is a serious matter. Flammable Liquids and Gases Flammable liquids and gases pose a particular hazard when stored or used in living areas. The hazard is typically created by the evaporation of fuels or solvents in confined spaces, mixing with air to form a flammable region, and ignition by an open flame pilot lamps, stove, cigarette lighter, or faulty wiring. Gasoline, acetone, camping stove fuel (white gas or butane), lighter fuel, and propane torch canisters are common items that can supply the fuel. The propellant in aerosol spray cans (paint) is also a flammable gas in some cases. These materials must not be used or stored in student living areas but should be placed in an approved storage cabinet away from the living areas. Certain household combustibles such as hair spray and nail polish are exempt from this requirement and may be possessed by students in their living areas. Mopeds and motorcycles must not be stored inside residences since the gas shut-off valves can leak or not be properly used, creating a flammable vapor hazard. Caltech provides on-campus residences with approved storage locations outside of the residences for both vehicles and flammable materials. Storage locations will be determined in consultation with Housing and student leaders. Fire Alarms It is a violation of Institute policy to set off intentionally a false fire alarm. Actions such as setting off a false fire alarm, tampering with, disabling a fire alarm, or suppressing a warning device are illegal and may result in criminal penalties as well as campus disciplinary actions. Fire Doors Fire doors must be kept closed at all times. Fire Drills and Evacuation Procedures Students must understand and conform to all Institute procedures for fire drills and evacuation procedures. Housing provides clear evacuation procedures. These procedures can be found on the back of each student residence room door. When a fire alarm is sounded, all individuals in the building must exit promptly to their designated evacuation site, and must fully cooperate with any responding emergency personnel. Fire Extinguishers Fire extinguishers are located, labeled and maintained so that they may be easily identified and in good operating condition. All fire extinguishers are checked monthly by Safety to provide reasonable assurance that they operate properly. Hallways and Walkways Hallways, walkways, exit corridors, staircases, doors, and passageways leading to exits must be kept clear of all items that may obstruct the hallway or impede evacuation. The Safety Office, Housing, Security, and Physical Plant, reserve the right to remove any combustible materials or items that may impede normal passage or evacuation routes. Indoor Fireplaces Indoor fires are permitted only in fireplaces inside the student houses and apartments. These fireplaces must be used safely in accordance to accepted practices. Only untreated wood, natural gas, and paper may be used in the indoor fireplaces. Untreated wood must not be oversized, and must fit completely within the fireplace. Leaves and pine needles may not be burned in the fireplaces. Open Burnings No open burnings shall be allowed on Institute property other than pre-approved bonfires. Outdoor Fireplaces Prior to their initial use, outdoor fireplaces must be approved by Housing. Only untreated wood, cardboard, and paper may be used in such outdoor fireplaces. Untreated wood must not be oversized, and must fit completely within the fireplace. Leaves and pine needles may not be burned in the fireplaces. Sanctions Violations of this policy may result in investigation and action by any of the following, including but not limited to: the Board of Control, the Conduct Review Committee, the Dean of Students, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Dean of Graduate Studies, or the Graduate Review Board. In addition, the setting of a fire in violation of this policy will result in a fine of up to $500 for each person involved, in addition to reimbursements for damage. In the event of a violation of law, state and federal authorities may also take action. 1/06