Housing Fire Safety Policies
Emory Residence Life and Housing Operations maintain policies and rules pertaining to fire safety. Fire safety is the responsibility of all residence hall staff and students. All fire safety regulations are strictly enforced.
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Emory University Campus:
Smoking Policy
Emory University recognizes the serious health implications of both direct use of tobacco products and indirect exposure to the use of tobacco products. In order to create an atmosphere that is consistent with Emory’s mission and commitment to improve the health and wellness of members of the Emory community, Emory University and Emory Healthcare (collectively “Emory”) prohibit the use or sale of tobacco products in or on Emory owned or Emory leased property effective January 1, 2012. (see policy 4.113 Tobacco Free Environment http://policies.emory.edu/4.113).
Open Flame Policy
Lighting devices such as tiki lamps, oil lamps, torches, etc., are absolutely prohibited in Emory facilities.
The use of candles and the burning of incense in Emory facilities are prohibited except in conjunction with recognized religious activities. Even unused (decorative) candles/incense are prohibited in Emory facilities. The use of candles or the burning of incense may be approved in compliance with specified conditions.
Fire Safety
Fire alarms, suppression systems, and other safety equipment are located throughout all residential facilities. Residential staff review evacuation procedures during initial meetings. These evacuation routes may also be found in hallways/corridors within the residential facility. Residents should be familiar with multiple egress means if the most convenient or traveled path is not available because residents must leave the buildings when alarms are activated.
Residents should report inoperable or tampered-with fire safety equipment immediately to their hall staff. Severe disciplinary action, which may include termination of the Housing Agreement and/or suspension from the University, will result for residents responsible for starting a fire in or near any residential facility, or tampering with fire alarm and smoke detector equipment.
Residents of facilities with a building sprinkler system should not tamper with the sprinkler system and should take special precautions to avoid accidentally activating the sprinkler system. As previously mentioned, sprinkler heads should not be used to hang items in the room. Students may be held liable for damage that occurs in rooms/shared areas because of sprinkler activation
Flammable Materials
Flammable materials, including but not limited to:
- candles and incense
- gasoline
- grill briquettes (charcoal)
- kerosene
- lighter fluid
- paint - oil-based
- paint thinner
- propane
- Tiki torches
are not allowed in any residential facility. If students have questions about whether something is allowed, please contact the residential staff. Emory strongly encourages any furniture a student provides to be fire-retardant. Contact the Housing Operations Office (404.727.7631) if you are unsure whether an item or appliance is permitted.
Portable Electrical Appliance Policy
In order to ensure maximum health and safety standards in all residential facilities, several categories of electrical appliances have been established. Items not permitted or hazardous appliances will be confiscated if found within any residential facility.
- Permitted items and appliances, included but not limited to: (all items must be Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Electronic Testing Laboratories (ETL) approved):
- air purifiers
- blenders
- coffee makers (must be equipped with an automatic shut off feature)
- clocks
- electric razors
- fans
- hair dryers
- hot air popcorn poppers
- hot pot/electric tea pots
- irons
- micro-fridge
- musical instruments
- power strips - UL or ETL approved
- rice cookers
- televisions
- Not Permitted items and appliances, included but not limited to: (may not be used or stored in traditional or suite-style residence halls.)
- Air fryers
- convection ovens
- crockpots
- electric blankets
- electric skillets
- extension cords
- George Foreman Grills (or similar devices)
- halogen lamps
- hamburger makers
- hot plates
- instant-pots
- freestanding microwaves
- plug-in air fresheners
- space heaters
- Stove top espresso and coffee makers/percolators
- toasters
- toaster ovens
- waffle or crepe pans
- waterbeds
Additional information is available at: https://housing.emory.edu/policies/housing-policies/index.html
Oxford College Campus:
Smoking Policy
Emory University recognizes the serious health implications of both direct use of tobacco products and indirect exposure to the use of tobacco products. In order to create an atmosphere that is consistent with Emory’s mission and commitment to improve the health and wellness of members of the Emory community, Emory University and Emory Healthcare (collectively “Emory”) prohibit the use or sale of tobacco products in or on Emory owned or Emory leased property effective January 1, 2012. (See policy 4.113 Tobacco Free Environment http://policies.emory.edu/4.113)
Open Flame Policy
Candles, incense, other combustible materials, or any open flame device may not be used in the residence halls, including for decorative purposes.
Fire Safety
Fire safety is the responsibility of all residence hall staff and students. All fire safety regulations are strictly enforced.
- All occupants (students, staff and guests) of a residence hall are expected to evacuate promptly whenever a fire alarm sounds.
- Students who do not evacuate will be documented and processed through the conduct system.
- Guests who fail to evacuate are subject to loss of visitation privileges.
- Building occupants must remain outside of the building until the RES staff gives an “all clear” signal.
- Intentionally misusing, damaging, or tampering with fire or other safety equipment, including covering or disabling a smokevdetector or inappropriately discharging a fire extinguisher, is a violation of the Code of Conduct.
- Sprinkler heads should never be tampered with or used to hang items. Additional weight on sprinkler heads will cause them to burst and flood the area.
- The College does not tolerate students starting fires of any sort in or near a residence hall.
- Candles, incense, other combustible materials or any open flame device may not be used in the residence halls, including for decorative purposes.
- Students may not suspend a tapestry underneath their room’s ceiling or string cables or wires in any manner that compromises the sprinkler head in a residence hall room.
- All students are required to maintain their rooms in a manner that allows for safe and efficient evacuation in an emergency.
Portable Electrical Appliance Policy
Electrical appliances are permitted in residence hall rooms if they meet the specifications outlined below. All appliances should be Energy Star rated and UL-approved. Appliances with automatic shutoff features are strongly encouraged and recommended.
- One refrigerator per single or double room. It must not exceed 4 cubic feet. Triples are allowed two refrigerators.
- Fluorescent lamps should be used for supplemental lighting due to a decreased risk of fire and increased energy efficiency.
- Coffee makers, blenders, popcorn poppers and small hot pots with automatic shutoff are permitted.
- Televisions, stereos, DVD players, video game systems, iPods/MP3 players and desktop/laptop computers are allowed.
- Printers are allowed but the wireless feature must be turned off.
- Clocks, personal fans, electric blankets, irons, electric razors and hair dryers are permitted.
- Electrical outlets in each room are limited. No more than two items may be plugged into a double electrical outlet.
- Surge-protected power strips must be UL-approved with circuit breakers.
- Rice cookers can be stored and used in community kitchens, not in individual student rooms.
All electrical devices, including refrigerators, fish tanks, and computers must be unplugged when the residence halls are closed for a college break, including Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break
Prohibited Items
Certain items residents may take for granted at home can prove impractical or harmful in a group living community. Some items listed are specifically prohibited by law and/or Oxford College policy.
Students found with these and/or other prohibited items in their room will be asked to remove the item and may be subject to student disciplinary action. Items prohibited by law may be subject to immediate confiscation by Oxford College officials.
- Air conditioners, including window and portable units
- Animals other than Oxford College-approved service or emotional support animals
- Pets are limited to small harmless fish. Aquariums can be no larger than 10 gallons.
- Any appliance with an exposed heating coil (toasters, toaster ovens, hot plates, etc. – any appliance with a heating element that residents can touch and/or see glowing when on).
- Microwaves are provided in all communities and are not allowed in individual student rooms
- Bed lofts, homemade or pre-fabricated
- Beds can be raised while some roommates choose to bunk their beds.
- Candles (lit or unlit), incense and open flame/open coil activated potpourri and wax warmer products such as “Scentsy”
- Electric potpourri burners that are UL-listed are permitted, provided that a nuisance situation does not occur.
- Coil lighting
- Extension cords or multiple-plug converter
- Only UL-listed surge protectors with a reset button are allowed in residential facilities
- Fireworks
- Full-size refrigerators
- Halogen lamps, multi-arm (flower lamps), and lava lamps
- Hover Boards
- Due to a potential fire hazard, they are prohibited from being stored and/or charged inside any Oxford College residential facility
- Indoor and outdoor grills, such as “George Foreman grills” or charcoal grills
- Plug-in air fresheners
- Space heaters
- Waterbeds
- Weapons
- This includes the possession, storage, use, or manufacture of guns (including pellet and BB guns), hunting knives, hunting bows, ammunition, slingshots, stun guns, target rifles, fireworks, paintball guns, launching devices (e.g., “spud guns”), and other items considered to be dangerous. Storage of these items must be arranged at an off-campus location.
- Other items prohibited by law and/or Oxford College policy
Additional information may be found in the Oxford College “Guide to Housing” available at:
All Emory University and Oxford College campus student housing facilities are fire sprinkler protected.