Fire Safety
Fire Safety Rules
East Hall is equipped with many safety features. In addition, annual fire safety inspections are conducted by local and state officials. Any failed or successful attempt to dismantle or bypass any safety features, including but not limited to the following, is prohibited: security cameras, building access doors, exterior and interior safety lights, sprinkler system and fire alarm systems. Residents are expected to observe fire code regulations. Violators of these regulations are subject to student conduct action, payment of any damages, and fines. The fine for setting off a smoke or fire detector, sprinkler system or fire extinguisher within a building as a result of negligence, misuse or abuse can range from $100-$1000 plus the cost of damages. Personal items that are in violation of the fire code will be confiscated and tagged. All confiscated items which are not picked up and taken home within thirty (30) days will be disposed of by the Residence Life & Housing staff. Residents will be subject to a fine.
- For the protection of residents, East Hall is equipped with smoke and fire detection, sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers. Tampering with any of these systems is a violation of the college Code of Conduct and well as a violation of New York State law. At no time should anything be hung from a sprinkler head.
- Stairwell doors leading to hallways should be kept closed.
- Hallways must be kept clear at all times. Furniture and personal belongings such as trunks, boxes, and drying racks may not be placed in the hallways.
- Ceiling hangings of any description are not permissible, as they interfere with the proper function of the fire/smoke detection and prevention devices. Room decorations shall be non-combustible or flame retardant. Fireworks and firecrackers are not permitted in the residence halls. (Residents are not permitted to possess fireworks and firecrackers while on campus.)
- Bedroom furniture must allow at least a 36 inches clear walkway from the opposite side of the bedroom or common area to the door.
- Wall decorations are limited to 20 percent of each wall of the room. Wall decorations cannot cover windows, such as blankets or tapestry and must be at least 18 inches below the ceiling height.
- Lighting or heating devices that produce an open flame are prohibited in the residence halls. This includes but is not limited to: candles, kerosene lamps, and lamps with the globe facing upward, such as torchiere lamps, hot plates, toaster ovens, George Foreman and similar grills, electric fry pans, waffle, sandwich and quesadilla makers, NuWave Infrared Ovens and induction cooktops, oil fryers or auxiliary heaters. Coffee pots should be used only on the kitchen counter.
- Bicycles left in residence hall common rooms, halls, stairwells, or where they obstruct exits will be removed. They should be stored only in designated bike storage areas located outside each building.
- Flammable holiday decorations such as live Christmas trees (cut or balled), wreaths made from pine boughs, and untreated bunting are not permitted in the building.
- Only Faculty Student Association wiring is allowed in residence hall rooms with the following exceptions: U.L. listed power strips with circuit breaker, and power surge protection. Power strips may not be used in a series to gain greater lengths and ceiling fixtures may not be installed. Electrical cords must not be used unsafely (under carpets, in pathways, taped down, etc.). Spliced, taped or frayed cords must not be used. Multi-outlet devices such as adapters, cubes, plug-in air fresheners etc., are prohibited. Dimmer switches and ceiling fixtures may not be installed. Extension cords are prohibited.
- Electrical cords and data cables cannot be installed from room to room where their existence may cause tripping hazard, nor can they be ran through the ceiling tiles.
- Combustible liquids such as gasoline, turpentine, charcoal lighter, diesel fuel, liquid propane tanks or cylinders and self-starting charcoal are prohibited from being in the building.
- Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles, mopeds, and motorbikes, are not allowed in or near the residence halls.
- Do not leave food unattended in the microwave.
Fire Evacuation Procedures
The fire alarm system in the residence halls is monitored 24 hours per day.
- When the alarm sounds, all occupants must vacate the building quickly and safely. An area of refuge exists on the upper floors for any student who is physically incapable of evacuating the building.
- Students will meet in the faculty-staff parking lot (Lot A located across Cannoneer Loop from the residence halls). During inclement weather, residents should meet in the Collaborative Learning Center (CLC) Building.
- The Fire Department, Campus Safety & Security, as well as Residence Life & Housing staff members will ensure that the building has been properly evacuated.
- Any resident found in the building during an alarm will be subject to student conduct sanctions and fines.
- The Fire Department will determine when it is appropriate to return to the building. Under no circumstances should a resident return to the building unless instructed to do so by the Fire Department, Campus Safety & Security or a Residence Life & Housing staff member.
Fire Safety Sanctions
Building Fire Alarm Activation:
- First time violation: $200 fine and residence hall probation issued to the suite or responsible resident(s)
- Second time violation: $500 fine, referral to the Office of Residence Life and Housing and possible suspension or removal from the residence halls
- Third time violation: $1000 fine, referral to the Office of Student Life and suspension or removal from the residence halls
Failure to Evacuate:
- First time violation: $200 fine, residence hall probation and an educational project
- Second time violation: $300 fine, referral to the Office of Residence Life and Housing and possible suspension or removal from the residence halls
- Third time violation: $500 fine, referral to the Office of Student Life and suspension or removal from the residence halls
Intentional Fire Alarm Activation or Tampering with Fire Safety Signs/Apparatus:
- First time violation: Minimum $500 fine, referral to the Office of Residence Life and Housing and possible suspension or removal from the residence halls
- Second time violation: Minimum $500 fine, referral to the Office of Student Life and suspension or removal from the residence halls
Smoking in the Residence Halls
Smoking and the use of electronic smoking devices (vaping) is prohibited within the residence halls. Regardless of alarm activation, if it is determined that smoking has occurred inside the suite, all residents may be subject to the following sanctions:
First Violation*
- Residence Hall Probation - Duration based on severity of the incident and resident’s judicial history
- Fine: $50.00
- Educational sanction/referral
- Possible referral to the Chief Judicial Officer
Second Violation*
- Heightened Residence Hall Probation - Duration based on severity of the incident and resident’s judicial history.
- Educational sanction/referral
- Fine: $100.00
- Referral to the Chief Judicial Officer
* These are the minimal recommended sanctions for violations and are not required. Depending on the severity of the incident, students may also be suspended or removed from the residence halls and/or referred to the Office of Student Life for additional sanctions outlined in the College's Code of Conduct Regulations.
Fire Safety Tips
- Before leaving the room, touch the door to see if it is warm. If the door is warm, DO NOT open it. If possible, put a damp towel along the bottom of the doorway. If the door is not warm, crack the door to see if there is smoke.
- If you cannot get out of the room and your room is filled with smoke, put your head out a window to breathe. Wave a towel or other object to let the firefighters know that you are trapped.
- Put a damp towel over your mouth and nose to keep from breathing smoke.
- Crawl or stoop low on the floor to avoid smoke inhalation.
- If you are trapped and there is a phone nearby, call Campus Safety and Security at 315-786-2222.
- Close doors and windows behind you to help prevent the spread of fire. Do not lock the doors.
- Do not use the elevators.
- Call Campus Safety and Security to report the fire from a safe location.