Residence Hall Fire Safety

It is the intent of the University to maintain safety for all students as well as to provide residents the opportunity to enhance the function of residence hall rooms. The following guidelines represent the latest collaboration between the Fire Marshal of Longview and the LETU Residence Life staff, all with the intent to protect our residents, the emergency responders, and the facilities. Given these purposes, the guidelines are not intended to be all-inclusive: the ResLife staff may provide other specific instructions based on individual circumstances.

Fire Alarms

All students are expected to leave the building immediately when a fire alarm sounds, regardless of the cause of the alarm. Students not evacuating for an alarm are subject to disciplinary action. It is important that individuals take precautions to avoid accidentally setting off a fire alarm on campus. It is critical to avoid false alarms, especially in the residence halls. Our primary concern is that a number of false alarms can desensitize students from the importance of leaving the building in potentially life-threatening situations. The secondary reason to avoid false alarms is that the City of Longview allows the Fire Department to charge the University for LFD’s response to our false alarms. Below are descriptions of the differing fines and their amounts:

• Negligent actions that result in the activation of the fire alarm (e.g., burnt food in a microwave) will result a minimum $50 fine.
• Flagrant actions that result in the activation of the fire alarm (e.g., burning a candle) will result a minimum $100 fine.
• Tampering with any components of the fire system (see “Fire Protection”) incurs a minimum $200 fine and further disciplinary action. Please pay special attention not to use an aerosol product directly under a smoke detector, and never leave a microwave or toaster unattended.
  

Fire Drills

Fire drills for each living area will be held once each semester. Evacuation routes and meeting areas are noted in all-hall meetings and/or posted in the hallways of each residence hall. Disregard for fire drills will result in immediate disciplinary action.

Fire Hazards

The following items are considered fire hazards and are not allowed in the residence halls: motorcycles, motorcycle parts, automobile parts, go-kart parts, tires, engines, gas tanks or containers that contain gasoline, space heaters, halogen lamps without protective grill covers, and any other flammable materials/liquids. Prohibited items found in the residence halls may be confiscated, and a fine may be assessed. Storage of flammable liquids in the residence halls will result in a minimum fine of $100 and/or other disciplinary action. Excessive accumulation of newspaper, shredded paper, clutter, trash, or other items in rooms, hallways, or stairwells is also considered a violation of fire code and therefore is prohibited. By order of the Longview Fire Marshal, hallways and stairwells must always be clear of lumber, lofts, boxes, furniture and other obstructions, at all times. (See also Open Flames).

Fire Protection

All residence hall rooms and hallways are equipped with smoke detectors that will be checked regularly by Residence Life and/or Facilities Services staff. Tampering with or disabling a smoke detector by removing the battery, disconnecting power, or covering in any way will result in a fine of up to $200, and/or other disciplinary action. Emergency flood lights and overhead emergency night lights are located in the hallways of all residence halls. Tampering with emergency lights by disengaging the light bulbs will result in a fine of up to $200, and/or other disciplinary action.

Additional Furniture

The University provides each room with two desk chairs. Additional seating in each room is limited to 1 sofa/loveseat/futon or 2 chairs/recliners provided such items fit without violating other safety considerations outlined below.

Raising Furniture

Furniture in residents’ rooms and in floor lounges/lobbies must be resting on the floor as intended with the following exceptions:

• Standard beds may be bunked or lofted with provided loft kits only two high; that is, bed ends (whether bunked or extended with a loft kit) may only be two pieces high. Taller bed ends, such as those found in South Hall, may not be bunked or lofted.
• Two dressers may be stacked on each other.
• Standard University bookcases may be stacked on each other, on the desks, or on the dressers.
  

Ceiling Space

There is a limit regarding the distance individuals and personal belongings must be from the ceiling. In Tyler, Penn, and Mabee Halls (Residence Halls without fire sprinklers), nothing may be within 24” of the ceiling. In ELH, Gilbert, Thomas, Davis, and South Halls, the Village Apartments, the Quads, and the Societies, nothing may be within 18” of the ceiling. Additionally, nothing may be hung from ceiling tiles, or their supports. Ceiling tiles may not be removed (This policy excludes permanent University fixtures, bunked bed-ends, or built-in furniture that might extend into this area.).

Open View of Beds

Due to specific procedures of the fire department and the limitations of thermal imaging, at least 50% of each bed (or mattress on the floor) must remain unobstructed by large furniture. For example, sofas, bookcases or shelving may not be situated in front of a mattress in a way that blocks more than half the view of a sleeping individual. Hanging blankets or sheets that cover a sleeping area to minimize light are acceptable.

Ingress and Egress

There must be a clear pathway from the window to the hallway door (though not necessarily in a straight line). No furniture or appliances—including shelving or constructed items—may be situated within 48” of the window, from floor to ceiling, since those items can become obstacles for residents exiting or firefighters entering a room. In Mabee and Pennsylvania Halls, this applies to the center two windows. In Evelyn LeTourneau Hall, this applies to the window that opens and one of the adjacent windows. In all areas, window coverings and small decorative items on the windows or in the windowsills are acceptable. Also, caution should be taken not to build or purchase items which could fall and obstruct the door or window during an emergency. Doorstops must be removed from doors when the room is unoccupied or residents are asleep.

Power Suites

Placing all 4 beds in one room and using the other room as a study space/living room is available in the Trinities, Thomas, Davis, and South Halls; however, no infrastructure (physical or technological) will be altered to accommodate these power suites. Those choosing to power suite, must comply with all other regulations.

Electrical

• The only approved extenders of electrical outlets are UL-certified surge protectors. Surge protectors may not be connected to themselves—there may be only one surge protector used per outlet.
• No extension cords of any kind may be used inside the residence hall rooms. For questions regarding temporary use in the residence hall, please contact your Resident Director.
• All electrical components must be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Residents may not alter the electrical wiring in the residence hall in any way, nor may a purchased or home-made product’s wiring be altered for use in the rooms. (This does not include low-voltage wires like speaker wires.)
• Stringed lights – including rope lights in the incandescent or LED variations (i.e. Christmas lights) – may only be in place and used from November 1 through the end of the Fall semester. Any other time, such lights may be used as lighting for a specific event, and must be removed and stored away immediately following the event. When used, they must be installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. No more than three strands may be connected, and no nails or staples or other metal objects may be used to secure them.
• LED light strips may be used throughout the year but must be unplugged when the room is unoccupied or residents are asleep. When used, such lights must be installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. No more than three strands may be connected, and no nails or staples or other metal objects may be used to secure them.
• Lamps with halogen bulbs are not allowed in the residence halls.
• Care should be taken not to have electrical wiring on or near combustible items (for example, do not run electrical wires under carpet; do not stack papers near an outlet; etc.)
• Soldering irons may be used, but with extreme caution. Soldering must not take place near or under any fire detection units, near any combustible materials, and care must be used to avoid damage to room furnishings. Students will be held responsible for any damage or fire alarms.

Construction of Shelves and Furniture

Bookshelves and small tables (such as coffee tables or end tables) are the only personally constructed furniture permitted in the residence halls (desks, lofts, and raised beds are not permitted). DO NOT BEGIN CONSTRUCTION, ASSEMBLY, OR INSTALLATION UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM THE RESIDENT DIRECTOR. You are subject to a fine and removal of construction if you begin construction without approval or build contrary to the approved design.

• Any additional furniture and shelving must also comply with all other regulations in this document.
• All additional furniture and shelves must be free-standing and not attached (i.e. by bolt, nail, screw, glue, adhesive tape or hooks, etc.) to any permanent surface or piece of University furniture.
• No (University-owned) furniture or furnishing may be altered.
• Only non-treated lumber may be used in your construction.
• The air conditioning unit must be fully accessible for maintenance and airflow.
• The total combined length of all constructed shelves must not exceed 32 feet in length and 18 inches in depth. For example, a 6’ wide bookcase with 5 shelves totals 30’ of shelving, allowing 2’ to use elsewhere in the room.
  

Shelving Units

• In the Residence Halls with cinderblock construction (Tyler, Penn, ELH, & Mabee Halls) shelving unit construction is also permitted with additional restrictions.
• In Penn and Mabee Halls, shelving placement is limited to the side walls (from the back wall by the window, over the beds, to the end of the desks). It is acceptable for the shelves along the wall to cover a portion of the outer two windows; the two middle windows must remain unobstructed.
• No cross-room support may be used.
• All sides and corners of the shelving that touch the walls must be padded with carpet or a similar material. No wood may touch the walls or University furniture/furnishing.
  All construction (sawing, drilling, sanding, finishing, painting, etc.) must be completed outside the residence halls. You may connect or attach shelves with screws inside the building. No construction may be done in buildings or in courtyards, and you must thoroughly clean your work area immediately as you finish each work session.

Installation

During the installation or removal of your furniture/shelving, DO NOT STORE ANY WOOD OR OTHER MATERIALS IN THE HALLWAY. Hallway and stairwell congestion of any kind is considered a high risk safety hazard. Furthermore, any and all furniture and materials must be brought into the building through one of the main doors, not through a window. The ResLife Staff will inspect furniture/shelving during and/or after construction to ensure that the structure adheres to these guidelines. Failure to comply with this policy may result in fines and/or the need to modify or remove the furniture/shelving.

Storage and Responsibility

All personal items, including furniture and shelving cannot remain in the room/building over the summer and must be removed before checkout. All materials must be stored off campus, and the student is responsible for storage. The student is also financially responsible for all damage caused by the construction, presence, and/or removal of personally constructed furniture and shelving. Any charges will be assessed to the student’s account by the ResLife staff.