7.04 Fire Safety
Purpose:
To establish general policies regarding the use of open flames, electrical
appliances, holiday decorations and ceremonial fires, to establish a process
for seeking exceptions and to identify responsibilities of students, faculty
and staff for building evacuation.
Policy Statement:
The Safety Office is responsible for fire evacuation plans and notices.
The Physical Plant is responsible for the inspection of fire safety equipment
including portable fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems.
Students, faculty, and staff must evacuate a building when the
fire alarm sounds using the nearest exit or the exit farthest
from the fire or smoke and not re-enter a building until authorized by
Public Safety staff.
Students, faculty, and staff are responsible for orienting themselves to
the facilities they use, for making themselves aware of the posted evacuation
plans for those buildings, for conducting activities in the safest possible
manner and for adhering to the fire safety policies. “Facilities”
include locations housing programs such as UNI-Center for Urban Education,
the Ag-Based Industrial Lubricants Research Program, Iowa Waste Reduction
Center, etc.
Open Flames:
The use of an open flame is prohibited unless approved by the Safety Officer
or designee. Open flame equipment for instructional and maintenance
purposes shall meet all safety requirements and reasonable precautions shall
be taken in their operation to prevent personal injury and/or property damage.
Electrical Appliances:
A. All appliances must be UL approved.
B. Building light bulbs shall not be replaced with higher wattage
bulbs than those for which the fixture was designed.
C. Room switches and outlets shall not be modified.
D. Electrical heaters in buildings must be connected directly to wall
outlets and are to be disconnected at night or when the area is expected
to be vacant for longer than an hour. The use of extension cords is
prohibited. Electrical heaters may not be used in residence halls
unless authorized by the Director of the Department of Residence or designee.
Holiday Decorations:
A. Natural trees and resinous greenery are prohibited for use as holiday
decorations in all university buildings, unless authorized by the Safety
Officer or designee.
B. Artificial trees or other decorations must be flame proof.
C. All lighting used on artificial trees must be UL approved sets
and be checked annually for frayed wires, loose connections and broken sockets.
D. Lighting on artificial trees and other decorations must be disconnected
at night or when the area is expected to be vacant for longer than an hour.
Ceremonial Fires:
Groups desiring to use ceremonial fires must obtain approval from the Safety
Officer or designee.
Procedure:
Fire and Evacuation Procedures:
A. Activate the fire alarm system.
B. Call 911 and identify where help is needed.
C. Close all windows and doors, if possible, prior to leaving
the room. Students in residence hall rooms should turn off
lights, close windows, and close and lock the door.
D. Do not use any elevator during building evacuation.
Individuals with disabilities not on ground level during
a fire evacuation should go to the nearest stairwell making sure any fire
doors are closed behind them. University or city public safety personnel
will check stairwells as soon as arriving to assist persons with disabilities.
Personal Safety:
A. Students, faculty and staff should make themselves aware of the
location of fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and various exit routes from
the offices, classrooms, laboratories and residence halls they frequent.
B. Students, faculty and staff should know how to use fire extinguishers.
The Safety Office of the Department of Physical Plant will schedule instruction
when requested.
Exceptions to Policies:
Requests for exceptions shall be directed to the Safety Officer.
Requests shall identify the particulars of the exception and the area where
exception is requested. Safety or designee may require an inspection
of devices, etc. and the area prior to ruling on the request.
Safety Office approved, 4/99
Vice President for Administration and Finance approved, 4/99
President’s Cabinet approved, 4/99 | 
