Section 8. Fire and Life Safety
Safety Vigilance: The safety of all community members and guests is of the highest importance at Brandeis. University facilities are designed and equipped with mechanisms, apparatuses, and features intended to suppress smoke and fire. These physical safeguards must be respected and protected to ensure their proper function. Students and their guests are expected to be aware of, and immediately report, behavior that could increase the risk of danger to life or safety.
8.1. Combustion of Property: Refrain from behavior that leads to the intentional or unintentional combustion of personal, communal, or University property.
8.2. Fire Alarms: Students are expected to vacate a building during a fire alarm, whether during a drill or in an actual emergency. When an alarm sounds, all individuals must vacate the building (see Sections 2.1. and 7.4.). 8.1. Students may not return until instructed to do so by a University official. Periodic, unannounced fire drills will be conducted in the residence halls during the academic year. Students who set off a fire alarm due to negligence and/or tampering with the equipment may be billed for the fees associated with resetting the alarm.
8.3. Cooking Equipment: With the exception of microwave ovens, cooking equipment of any kind is not allowed in individual student rooms or lounges. This includes hot plates, toaster ovens, indoor grills, hot pots, immersion heaters, or any item with open coils. A complete list of unapproved items/appliances can be found on the DCL website.
8.4. Candles and Incense: Candles and incense are prohibited in the residence halls. Students wishing to light candles for religious reasons must register their intention with the Department of Community Living. Religious candles must be handled according to the “Religious Candle Safety and Registration” information available at the Department of Community Living website. Decorative and/or scented candles are permitted if the wicks are removed. Students found responsible for candles or incense may be assessed a fine of up to $150.00 per involved student. Fines may escalate with multiple offenses.
8.5. Tampering with Safety Equipment: Tampering with fire or safety equipment, including the covering or removal of smoke detectors, creates a significant threat to everyone in the building and is strictly prohibited, as is hanging items from sprinkler pipes and heads. Students found responsible for covering, removing, or tampering with smoke detectors may be assessed a fine of up to $150.00 per involved student per occurrence, in addition to being subject to Residence Probation or other actions, including temporary or permanent removal. A parent or guardian of a student who repeats the offense may be contacted. The student’s account may be assessed $150.00 for each additional infraction. Students who set off a fire alarm due to negligence and/or tampering with the equipment may be billed for the fees associated with resetting the alarm.
8.6. Unapproved Items/Appliances: These items can generally produce enough heat to start a fire if used improperly, or sources of fuel in case of fire. Some examples include: Air conditioners, space heaters, oversized appliances. Students found responsible for unapproved items may be assessed a fine of up to $150 per involved student. A complete list of unapproved items/appliances can be found on the DCL website.