Fire Safety and Prevention

Virginia State University highly emphasizes promoting fire safety and encouraging all students to take personal responsibility in this area. Students will participate in regular fire drills and attend periodic fire safety programs to understand how to manage the risks and respond appropriately in case of emergency. Students living on campus must exercise care and caution to prevent fires. All students and visitors must abide by all fire safety regulations. Fire safety equipment is installed in each building on campus. Students or guests are prohibited from tampering with fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinklers, and fire exit doors. Setting off false alarms or discharging fire extinguishers are serious violations. Students and guests are not permitted to have items with open flames in campus buildings, including but not limited to candles, hot plates, grills, and space heaters. Residential students should review the non-permitted items list for a complete listing. The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to reject any electrical appliance that it considers as potentially hazardous to the safety of students and others. All students are expected to observe the following regulations critical to the prevention of residence hall fires:

1. The use or possession of any dangerous chemical or explosive material, such as fireworks, gunpowder, gasoline, etc., is prohibited within the residence halls.
2. The integrity of all ceilings, floors, and walls must remain intact and not be disturbed. Light fixtures must have a proper globe or deflector in place. Any open bulb fixtures are a fire hazard and must be reported to the Resident Director.
3. The possession or use of halogen lamps is prohibited.
4. The possession, lighting, or burning of candles, incense, oil lamps, gas lanterns, outdoor grills, or any device capable of producing an open or enclosed flame or odor is prohibited in all student residences.
5. Students found to be tampering, destroying and removing fire alarms, smoke detectors, or fire extinguishers are subject to disciplinary action through the Office of Student Conduct and legal prosecution (see VA Code 18.2-151.1). The same sanctions apply for calling an ambulance or firefighting apparatus without just cause.
6. Window decorations other than college-furnished shades, drapes, or blinds may be used but must carry a recognized fire rating and be constructed of fire retardant material.
7. According to the International Fire Code 805.1.2, adopted as law by the Commonwealth of Virginia, no more than 10% of a residence hall room’s wall surface area may be covered by potentially flammable objects. This includes but is not limited to posters, framed pictures, photos, flags, tapestries, or any other decorative object that is mounted on the wall. Residents in residence hall rooms that approach or surpass this 10% level may be required to remove items as necessary to comply with fire safety requirements. Additional wall coverings (e.g. paneling, wallpaper, tapestries, etc.) may not be installed by occupants. In addition, wall hangings should not come into contact with electrical outlets or come closer than 12 inches to the heating unit. Hanging any object or item from ceilings or fire sprinkler heads is prohibited.
8. Room doors, corridors, stairways, and building exits must be kept clear of obstructions at all times. Fire doors on corridors and in stairways must be kept closed at all times.
9. All residents and guests must evacuate any building in which a fire alarm sound. Persons refusing to evacuate constitute a hazard to fire officials and will be subject to disciplinary action.

It is essential to prioritize your knowledge of fire safety and prevention. In the event of a fire emergency or any other emergency on campus, contact VSU Police at (804) 524-5411 or Dial 911.

Residence Life and Housing: (804) 524- 6840
reslife@vsu.edu