Fire Safety and Prohibited Items
Residential housing is subject to mandated life safety codes by New York State and the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC). The University is required to support these expectations to protect our students and community and thus have developed policies and procedures to comply with State expectations. For more information you can visit ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s Environmental Health and Safety’s .
Actions
Prohibited actions include tampering with the fire alarm system (e.g., covering a smoke detector), hanging items from alarm or sprinkler systems, failing to evacuate during an alarm, and blocking or inhibiting egress (e.g., items obstructing hallways or exits, such as shoes in the hallway, doors that cannot fully open, or large furniture that prevents easy movement through a room).
Items
There are a number of items that are not allowed in the residence halls due to fire safety guidelines. The New York State Fire Inspector/Marshal, along with the Environmental Health and Safety Office decide on these items for the most part. There are some items that are prohibited based on ResLife's guidelines for reasons other than fire safety.
3D Printers: Are prohibited in the residence halls.
Candles: Candles, incense, and other items with open flames or that burn are prohibited in residence halls. This includes candles that have never been lit. Wax melters and warmers are also prohibited because they function similarly to hot plates. See the Cooking Appliances section for additional information.
Cooking appliances: George Foreman grills, induction cooktops, toasters, grills, hot plates, slow cookers (Crock-Pots), electric skillets, broiling microwaves, and immersion-coil water heaters are prohibited in residence hall bedrooms. Cooking is not permitted in bedrooms except when using an approved microwave. Microwaves, refrigerators, electric kettles, and coffee makers are permitted in bedrooms and common areas when they meet the applicable requirements listed below. Electric kettles and coffee makers must have an automatic shutoff and no exposed heating element. Apartment-style housing with kitchens may permit additional appliances; contact your Area Office for guidance about your specific housing assignment.
Cords: Electrical cords may not be hung from ceilings, attached to walls, placed across hallways or doorways, or concealed beneath rugs or other floor coverings.
Cut trees or plants: Cut holiday trees, wreaths, and other dried or dead plant decorations are prohibited because they are highly flammable and significantly increase the fire risk within residence halls.
Curtains/drapes: Curtains and drapes are prohibited. Visit
Decorations: Decorations must cover less than 50% of the wall and less than 50% of each side of the door. Decorations may not touch or hang from ceilings or fire safety equipment, including sprinklers, alarms, and smoke detectors.
Electric Scooters and Electric Bikes: E-scooters and E-bikes are prohibited. For additional information about use, parking, and storage restrictions, visit the University's page.
Flags or Fabric on Walls: No large fabric can hang from the walls. You can hang flags or Jerseys in glass flames.
Flammable/Combustible Materials: The following materials and items are prohibited in residence halls:
- Flammable materials, including gasoline, lighter fluid, charcoal, propane, and solvents
- Items powered by combustible fuels, including motorcycles
- Fireworks, explosives, and similar items
- Corrosive or poisonous chemicals and other hazardous materials
- Crepe paper streamers and Mylar decorations
Halogen Bulbs/Lights: Halogen bulbs and lights are prohibited.
Hover boards: Are prohibited in the residence halls.
Lamps: Lamps that can be adjusted to direct light toward the ceiling, lamps with clips, and lamps with built-in electrical outlets are prohibited. Students who are unsure whether a lamp is permitted should contact their RA or Area Office before bringing it to campus. See our lamp guide (pdf) for additional examples.
Mattress (personal): these items are only allowed with an approved accommodation.
Non-UL Approved Electronics/Appliances: All electronics and appliances must have the required safety certification. A manufacturer's claim that an item is “UL compliant” does not necessarily mean it has been independently tested or certified. Students should look for the appropriate safety certification mark on the product or its label. If they are unsure whether an appliance meets University requirements, they should contact before bringing it to campus.
Space Heater/Air Conditioner: These items are only allowed with an approved accommodation.
Any electrical outlet that is not a surge protector: Multi-plug adapters, power taps, extension cords, and lamps or other plug-in items are not surge protectors.
While looking at a surge protector, it must have the following:
- On/off switch
- Able to be reset (usually a button or part of the on/off switch)
- No movable parts (no bending or flexible elements)
- Must be UL approved
Additionally surge protectors cannot be plugged into each other; this is called "daisy chaining".
Always double check items such as these, many are not UL approved and sometimes they are not even surge protected (no reset button).
Common Items with Restrictions
Some common items that may have restrictions:
- Coffee Pots/Keurigs/Water Warmers: are allowed as long as they have an automatic shutoff
- Heating Pads/Blankets: are allowed as long as they have an automatic shutoff
- Humidifiers: are allowed if they are cold air humidifiers without a heating element
- Personal Furniture: should be fire rated if upholstered and not violate egress (block exits or clear path through the room/unit); for upholstered items such as couches and chairs, students must provide EHS Fire Safety with the appropriate paperwork proving the item meets fire rating requirements that can be provide to the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control when they ask for it
- Refrigerator and Microwave: students may bring small refrigerators (no more than 4.5 cu. ft.) and small microwaves (900W or less) however they each must be plugged directly into the wall and not into a surge protector due to their higher wattage
- String Lights*: are allowed as long as:
- Each strand is plugged directly into a surge protector or all and not into each other
- They are LED and not heat creating bulbs
- Do not block doors, be hung from the ceiling, or otherwise violate other policies
*Note LED strip lights are prohibted because they cause damage to walls when removed.