Residence Hall, Apartments, and Houses Safety Inspection
Logistics and Guidelines
Why
All residence hall, apartments, and houses are inspected for compliance with health and safety guidelines. This will include a visual inspection of residence hall rooms, apartments, and houses, selected randomly. A detailed listing of what we are looking for during the inspection is listed below. The main objective is to minimize the risk of fire or other safety issues within the residential community.
When
Tuesday and Wednesday, November 3 and 4, 2009
7:30pm to 11:00pm
Campus residential areas in all buildings will be selected for inspection based on a random list of rooms. Inspections will occur between 7:30pm and 11:00pm. If a student wishes to be present at the inspection she can do so however students are not required to be present at the inspection.
Who
Inspections will be conducted by Resident Assistants assisted by MBC staff from the offices of Physical Plant and Residence Life. Follow-up for identified problems will be conducted by the community’s Resident Assistant.
What
During the inspection, the following items will be checked:
Refrigerators, Microwaves, and other Appliances
- Refrigerators are allowed under 4.0 cubic feet. Both residents of the room can have a refrigerator if they so desire.
- Microwaves are not allowed with the exception of the MicroFridge in student rooms. However, microwaves are allowed in the kitchen areas of the houses and apartments.
- Appliances with open heating elements or flames are not allowed. These include but are not limited to hot plates, toasters, toaster ovens, space heaters, electric or oil fryers, George Foreman grills, and gas or propane cooking equipment. Additionally, these items are not allowed to be kept in the residence hall common area kitchens.
- Hot pots, coffee makers, and rice cookers are approved.
Electrical Wiring
- Surge protectors with a rating of 15 amps, 125 volts, or UL approved are allowed.
- UL approved extension cords 16-18 gauge or larger are approved.
- Power strips that are not surge protectors are not allowed.
- Surge protectors are to be plugged directly into the wall.
- Extension cords can only be used for one item and must be plugged directly into the wall outlet or into a surge protector.
- Outlet extenders are not allowed – i.e. allow for a regular two-plug outlet to be turned into a six-plug outlet.
- Electrical cords are not to be placed under carpet unless they are contained in a plastic cord protector. Cable and telephone wires can be placed under carpet without a plastic protector.
- Electrical cords can be taped to the wall and floor but cannot have any kinks or pinch points.
Candles and Incense
- Candles and incense are not allowed nor are any open-flame lights, incense, or potpourri pots.
- Potpourri warmers with enclosed heating elements are allowed.
- Candles with wicks NOT burned or clipped so they cannot be burned are allowed.
Lights
- Lamps with exposed halogen light bulbs are not allowed.
- Holiday lights (strings of lights for Halloween, Christmas, etc.) are not allowed.
Items Hanging from Ceilings
- Hanging sheets, nets, or other materials from the ceiling or light fixtures is not allowed. Additionally no items can be hung from any fire protection equipment.
Heaters and Outlets
- All items must be kept four inches away from the heating unit (top and sides) and electrical outlets.
Weapons
- Weapons, including ornamental knives, guns, and swords are not allowed.
Lofting of Beds
- Using cinderblocks for the purpose of lofting a bed is not allowed. Commercially made bed risers are allowed. There is NO exception for beds in Kable.
Pets
- No animals, birds or other caged pets are allowed.
- Fish and other “aquatic life” (i.e.- live under water ONLY) are allowed.
What If …
A problem is found in the room during the inspection?
Residents will receive written notification and will be asked to correct the problem within 7 days. This means that residents will have until Wednesday, November 11 to correct the problem. For example if the violation was electrical cords running under a rug, the student has one week to go and purchase a plastic sleeve protector or rearrange the room so this is no longer an issue.
The student’s Resident Assistant will return to the room after the 1-week period to re-check the room and ensure that the problem is corrected.
If a problem persists after the allotted correction period, the residents of the room will be issued a fine of $75.00 for violation of fire safety rules/policies except in the case of the lofting of beds by means of cinderblocks which is a $25.00 fine.
If any judicial code violations are found during the inspection – example weapons, a referral will be made to the Judicial Board.
What can a resident do to make this process run smoothly?
- Please read the guidelines for your own understanding of the policy.
- If you have questions, please contact the Office of Residence Life at x7045.
- Please have your room ready for inspection – meaning clean without a large amount of items all over the floor.
- Keep in mind that our main objective is to ensure the safety of the residential living areas, not to harass you or make you feel uncomfortable.