The purpose of this section to ensure each chapter house is aware of safety policies that have been developed by the office of the University Fire Marshal and approved by the Dean of Students. These policies are mandatory and must be implemented. Furthermore, any unsafe conditions that are encountered in the house must be removed or corrected immediately.

A. Fire Drills

1. Fall semester: Two (2) fire drills are required. The first drill should be an announced walk-through drill. The second drill must be an unannounced drill.
2. Spring semester: One (1) unannounced drill is required.
3. The fire alarm system is only permitted to be reset by a representative of the PPD Electronic Shop or a certified fire alarm technician.
4. All fire drills must be recorded on Form 2. This form may be obtained from the University Fire Marshal. A copy of the report must be forwarded to the University Fire Marshal and the Dean of Students.
5. The fire alarm must be utilized for each drill.
6. The Dean of Students' office schedules fire drills.

B. Fires

All fires, regardless of how minor, must be reported to the University Fire Marshal via Form 4 with a copy to the Dean of Students' office.

C. Fire Alarms Tests

PPD Electronic Shop maintains individual alarm systems, conducts monthly tests and provides reports to the University Fire Marshal.

D. Fire Alarms or False Fire Alarms

1. All fire alarms, including false alarms must be reported to the University Fire Marshal via Form 4 with a copy to the Dean of Students' office. This form may be obtained from the University Fire Marshal.
2. False alarms will not be accepted as an alarm test or as a fire drill; nor will they be tolerated.
3. Chapters with excessive false alarms are subject to disciplinary action by the Dean of Students.
4. The fire alarm system must be reset by a certified fire alarm technician.

E. Fire Alarm Equipment

All repairs or maintenance to the fire alarm system(s) must be completed by a certified fire alarm technician.

F. Fire Suppression Equipment

1. Portable Fire extinguishers: The University Fire Marshal will conduct the required annual inspections and will report maintenance items to be corrected to the Chapter. The Chapter must contact an appropriate vendor to have the maintenance completed. Equipment must be easily accessible at all times.
2. Automatic exinguisher systems (kitchen): Semi-annual inspections are required. An appropirate vendor must be contacted to complete this service. Stoves, exhaust hoods, filters, and exhaust ducts must be maintained free of grease.
3. The Chapter is respnsible for contacting an appropriate vendor to inspect the sprinkler system. An annual inspection is required. Copies of the inspection report must be provided to the University Fire Marshal.

G. Student Rooms

1. Subdivision of rooms with partitions is not permitted.
2. Existing closets constructed of 3/4" plywood will be acceptable. New closets must be constructed with house type drywall. Lights within a closet installed according to the National Electric Code (NEC) are permissible.
3. Elevated beds (loft arrangement) are permitted. The maximum height (at the top of the mattress) allowed for a bed is 66".
4. Only a study carrel is permitted beneath elevated beds; refrigerators, couches, storage, etc. are not permitted.
5. Beds must not be enclosed in any manner.
6. The number of pieces of furniture in a room must be appropriate to the number of residents. Furniture must not block access from a bed or access to the corridor door.

H. Electrical

1. Electrical equipment must be maintained and used in a safe manner.
2. Regular extension cords (flexible cords) must not be used.
3. Surge protectors that are grounded and have a built-in 15-amp circuit protection may be used. Surge protectors may not have a cord longer than 6 feet and may not be plugged into other surge protectors. The cord must not be run under carpet, through walls, under doors or any other place that would subject it to physical damage. Damaged cords must be discarded.
4. Multi-plug adapters must not be used.
5. Any alterations to electrical systems must be submitted to the University Fire Marshal for pre-approval and qualified persons must perform the work in compliance with the current edition of the National Electric Code. A compliance inspection by a state certified inspector may be required.

I. Air Conditioners (Window Units)

1. Windows must be operable and unobstructed.
2. A room having two (2) or more windows is permitted to have a window unit air conditioner.
3. A room having one (1) window is NOT permitted to have a window unit air conditioner unless 1/2 of the window can remain operable. The operable portion of the window must have a net clear opening of 5.7 square feet with the least dimension not less than 24".
4. An electrician must ensure there is sufficient electrical current available for the air conditioner. The unit must be properly grounded and plugged directly into a wall outlet.

J. Ceiling Fans

1. Ceiling fans are permitted as long as they are installed at a sufficient height from the floor as to not create a general safety hazard.
2. If the room where the fan is to be installed has a smoke detector, the fan will not be permitted unless the fan can be located as not to reduce the effectiveness of the detector.

K. Appliances

1. Cooking is only permitted in a kitchen. The following appliances are permitted to be used in a kitchen.
   • Appliances used to heat, cook or process food, including a deep fryer, electrical skillet, electric hot plate, toaster, and an oven toaster. These appliances must be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
   • A microwave is permitted to be used in locations other than a kitchen provided sufficient current is available. The unit must be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
2. Space heaters are not permitted.
3. All cords serving the appliances must be in good condition. Hazardous conditions arising from defective, or improperly used appliances must be removed immediately.
4. All appliances must be listed by Underwriter Laboratory for their intended use.
5. Halogen lamps are not permitted.

L. Motorized Equipment and Bicycles

1. Motorized equipment and bicycles must not be stored inside the house.
2. Bicycles in exit stairs, corridors, exit discharge passageways, or on handicapped ramps create serious exit obstructions as well as general safety hazards.
3. Bicycles in violation will be removed from the premises by the University Police Department.

M. Decorations

1. Combustible materials must not be used for decorations.
2. All decorations, including Christmas trees, must bear the Underwriter Laboratory label as being flame retardant.
3. Christmas tree lights must bear the Underwriter Laboratory label for the intended use.
4. Decorations must be arranged in a manner not to obstruct exits, emergency lighting, exit signs, or corridors.
5. Do not use open flame such as candles. Smoking is not permitted around decorations.
6. All decorations must be removed prior to holiday vacations.
7. Exterior decorations must not be attached to a house, other than lights.

N. Electrical Evaluations

1. Each student room must have a posted electrical evaluation which includes a diagram of outlets, the permitted usages, and the electrical limitations for that room.
2. Electrical precautions as required by the evaluation must be followed.
3. The evaluation must be maintained current.

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Fire/Life Safety Regulations and Policies