Fire Safety
It is a violation of university policy to light any material on fire on campus. Candles, other open flame devices, and incense are strictly forbidden for use inside university facilities except during official religious ceremonies such as the observance of Chanukah. Those individuals or groups wishing to utilize candles in observance of a religious holiday or any other event shall contact OESO-Fire Safety Division to obtain permission and information concerning fire prevention. Students and groups will be held financially accountable for any damage they cause as a result of violating this policy and will be referred to the disciplinary process. Additionally, students may be subject to a revocation of their Housing License for any violation of the Fire Safety policy.
Electrical Wiring/Appliances. Tampering with electrical wiring, including, but not limited to, the installation of direct-wired ceiling fans and dimmer switches, is prohibited. Damage caused by electrical appliances that are not owned by Duke University is the responsibility of the resident(s). Irons, hair dryers, heaters, coffee pots, hot plates, and other heat-producing appliances shall never be left unattended. All electrical appliances shall be UL approved and maintained in good condition. Numerous electrical devices plugged into one outlet or extension cord may cause a circuit overload or may cause
overheating of the electrical appliances. Use an electrical outlet strip with a built-in surge protector or circuit breaker whenever more than one appliance is powered by that cord.
Fire Alarms/Drills. Never assume that a fire alarm is a drill or false alarm. Remain calm and evacuate the facility. Evacuation is mandatory for all individuals when the fire alarm is sounding. Anyone who fails to evacuate may face disciplinary action. Remember to follow the instructions of the emergency responders. Do not re-enter the facility until authorized. If you have any information regarding the alarm, present that information immediately to the responding emergency personnel.
Fire Extinguishers, Sprinklers, and Other Fire-Fighting/Detecting Equipment. Relocating, removing, tampering with, or destroying smoke detectors or fire-fighting equipment is strictly prohibited. Damage and/or theft of fire equipment also is punishable under North Carolina state law.
Fireworks. Students may not possess/use fireworks of any kind on campus. Anyone who sees a person with these materials should immediately report it to Duke Police.
Flammable/Combustible Materials in the Residential Areas. Flammable/combustible materials, including but not limited to gas, lighter fluid, and propane lanterns, are not permitted in residential areas.
Grills. North Carolina state law prohibits the use of portable charcoal, gas, or electric grills within 10 feet of all residence halls/apartments. Storage of grills not in use, which are cool, is permitted on the exterior of the structure or in approved locations. Failure to abide by this ordinance may result in a fine as determined by the Durham Fire Marshal in addition to disciplinary action.
Halogen Lamps. Fire Safety and Residence Life and Housing Services (RLHS) strongly recommend NOT using halogen lamps. The very high temperatures reached by their bulbs constitute a fire hazard and a potential source of burns. In addition, the geometry of the floor model lamp tends to make them very unstable and easily tipped over. If you use a halogen lamp, make sure it has a guard over the bulb and that the guard
is secured to the lamp.
Obstruction of Hallways, Stairwells, Sidewalks, and Lawns. North Carolina fire safety codes prohibit the obstruction of hallways and stairwells. The Durham Fire Marshal mandates the immediate removal of all items obstructing hallways and stairwells. RLHS, Facilities Management Department, Fire Safety or Duke Police will remove without warning or reimbursement furniture, bicycles, lumber, and all other items found obstructing hallways or stairwells. University furniture will be removed from hallways and stairwells and residents may be charged for missing furniture. Sidewalks, stairways,
and entryways must not be used for purposes other than ingress or egress. Bicycles may not be left in these areas or other locations where they may cause harm to persons or grounds-keeping equipment. Motorcycles must be parked in parking lots. Delivery trucks, automobiles, motorcycles, scooters, and mini-bikes are not permitted on lawns and walkways, patios, or stairwells. These vehicles must be parked in legal parking spaces.
Open Fires On Campus. Open fires, including bonfires, are not permitted on Duke University property except as approved by the OESO-Fire Safety Division and the Durham Fire Marshal. Students who either provide or contribute materials to burn or who ignite or attempt to ignite flammable materials will be considered in violation of this policy. Students also should realize that such actions violate state law and may result in a citation for unlawful burning.
Open Flames. Candles, incense, burning charcoal, or any other flame/heat producing items are strictly prohibited inside any university facility without the written permission of the Fire Safety Division.