Page 23 - University of South Florida Student Planner 2022-2023

Fire and Safety
All residents are required to follow these fire and safety regulations. Our Fire and Safety regulations follow mandates set by the USF Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Fire drills are required at the beginning of each semester to ensure that residents know what to do in the event of a fire and how to properly evacuate the building. Please review Fire and Safety information on the USF Office of Environmental Health and Safety website:
http://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/environmental-health-safety/
Fire and Safety Equipment:
In the interest of safety for all residents, it is imperative that fire and safety equipment is operable at all times. Tampering with fire and safety equipment is a third degree felony (Florida Statue 806.10) Therefore, the following acts are prohibited:
Tampering or playing with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, exit lights, emergency lights, sprinkler heads, and other emergency equipment.
Tampering or pulling a fire alarm under false pretences.
Covering a detector or in some other way rendering a smoke detector inoperable Obstructing stairwells and/or corridors with furniture, debris, and other materials. Disabling or propping open the exterior door to any building
Restricted items:
The following are prohibited because of their serious potential as fire hazards:
Open flames such as candles, incense, smoking, the burning of any materials, or other flame-emitting items. Use or possession of fireworks or firecrackers.
Extension cords (only power strips with built in circuit breakers are allowed in the halls).
Personal grills
Flammable Liquids (and other hazardous chemicals)
Hover Boards
Electric heaters or portable heaters
Lava lamps, halogen lamps and all lamps with paper shades
Never cover any light with any material that prevents the free flow of air around the bulb.
Extreme care should be taken with appliances such as curling irons, hair dryers, and irons. Do not leave these items on when not in use or place them next to flammable areas such as on the carpet or on beds.
Large gatherings. Private gatherings held in student rooms/apartments must be confined to that specific room
or apartment. The Housing & Residential Education staff reserves the right to determine if the occupancy of the room/apartment for private gatherings exceeds the amount that would be considered in violation of fire and safety regulations.
Fire, Health & Safety Inspections:
Housing & Residential Education staff will facilitate Fire, Health, and Safety Inspections each semester with at least 24-hours notice to residents. Any violations found during these inspections must be corrected within the specified time period. Residents are to immediately correct unsafe or potentially hazardous conditions in your room (such as overloaded power outlets) as requested by staff. Failure to correct fire, health, and safety violations may result in disciplinary actions.
Interactions with Housing and University Staff
Housing Staff members, who in the course of their duties are confronted with violations of University policy, are obligated to report them. Housing staff members include Residence Life Coordinators, Assistant Life Coordinators, resident assistants, community managers, facilities staff, housekeeping staff and desk workers. The harassment of any housing staff members may result in disciplinary action.
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