The following Policy has been established to provide guidelines for the location of microwave units. The Policy is applicable for existing microwaves. Regardless of the location, the unit shall always be attended while in operation. The fire marshal must review and approve all locations.

NON-SPRINKLED BUILDINGS

1. Microwaves are not permitted in exit stairwells or corridors.
2. Microwaves may be added to individual rooms subject to all of the following requirements:
   1. The walls and ceiling of the rooms shall be constructed of non-combustible materials,
   2. A combination rate-of-rise/fixed temperature heat detector interconnected to the fire alarm system shall be provided,
   3. The circuit serving the microwave can serve no more than two appliances. PPD must verify that the circuit is capable of serving the unit(s),
   4. The unit(s) must be plugged directly into a hard-wired electrical outlet (no extension cord or power strips under any circumstance),
   5. The microwave unit shall not be recessed into a cabinet or a similar type arrangement, and
   6. If the room opens onto a corridor that is required to be one hour fire rated, the room shall have a 45 minute rated fire door and the door shall be self-closing and self-latching. The door hardware shall meet requirements for the physically impaired.
3. Microwaves found not meeting the above requirements will result in the microwave being removed. The owner of the unit will be requested to take the unit to his/her personal home, or the University Fire Marshal will contact the appropriate physical plant office to have the unit removed and placed in surplus.

1. Microwaves are not permitted in exit stairwells,
2. Microwaves may be placed in exit corridors subject to all of the following requirements. It is strongly recommended that the unit be placed in a recessed area from the corridor; a designated vending area, or an individual room:
   1. The corridor walls and ceiling must be constructed of non-combustible materials,
   2. The required minimum unobstructed exit width of the corridor must be maintained,
   3. Tables, chairs, or trash cans are not permitted,
   4. The unit can be located within a cabinet as long as the cabinet materials are fire retardant.
   5. The circuit serving the microwave can serve no more than two appliances. PPD must verify that the circuit is capable of serving the unit(s),
   6. The unit(s) must be plugged directly into a hard-wired electrical outlet (no extension cord or power strips under any circumstance).
3. Microwaves found not meeting the above requirements will result in the microwave being removed. The owner of the unit will be requested to take the unit to his/her personal home, or the University Fire Marshal will contact the appropriate physical plant office to have the unit removed and placed in surplus.

ROOMS PROTECTED WITH SMOKE DETECTORS

1. Due to potential false fire alarms, microwave units shall not be placed in a room with smoke detectors.
2. For existing units in rooms with smoke detectors, contact the University Fire Marshal's office for an evaluation/corrective recommendations. If possible, the smoke detector shall be replaced with a combination rate-of-rise/fixed temperature heat detector interconnected to the fire alarm system. Residential (dormitory) rooms may continue to use microwave units but must be located to minimize the potential activation of the smoke detector. In addition, the unit must meet the size requirements established by the Office of Residence Life. Activation of the building's fire alarm system via a microwave within a domicile room will be investigated by the University Fire Marshal's office.
3. A false fire alarm caused by existing units in rooms with smoke detectors that have not been evaluated by the University Fire Marshal's office will automatically result in the unit being removed.The owner of the unit will be requested to take the unit to his/her personal home, or the University Fire Marshal will contact the appropriate physical plant office to have the unit removed and placed in surplus.

Questions concerning this Policy may be addressed to the University Fire Marshal at 257-6326.

This policy has been reviewed and endorsed by the University Committee on Safety and Environmental Health.
Date Endorsed: 26 January 2006

Fire Marshal