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Seton Hall University

Fire Safety

Purpose

As a University, we are committed to creating and maintaining the most fire-safe and emergency-ready environment for our students. This policy outlines items that are prohibited in all residence halls because they pose a risk of igniting and/or adding fuel load to a fire.

Scope

This policy applies to any and all individuals residing in or visiting any University-owned housing, including, but not limited to, University students, faculty, priests, faculty, employees, visitors, vendors, and guests. 

Definitions

Residence Hall – For purposes of this policy, Residence Hall means all University-owned and operated housing.

Policy

In order to maintain a fire-safe environment compliant with New Jersey State Law, the following items and actions are prohibited in the Residence Halls. Residence Life will conduct periodic Health and Safety Inspections of all Residence Hall rooms to ensure compliance with this policy.

Prohibited Items/Conduct:

Prohibited Items/Conduct:

  • Open flames/flammables 
    • Candles/incense/other open flammables
    • Fireworks/explosives
    • All flammables/combustibles
  • Cooking in rooms and suites with cooking appliances other than a microwave
  • Use of the following cooking appliances in all Residence Halls including apartments with kitchens
    • Broilers/electric skillets/woks/hot-plates
    • Barbeques/grills
    • Deep-fryers
  • Room Furnishings
    • Space heaters (unless issued by the University Department of Facilities Engineering)
    • Upholstered furniture larger than 40” W x 36” H (gaming chairs are permitted)
      • Upholstered furniture that does NOT meet CAL TB117-2013 fire rating. Please check the furniture label to confirm that the upholstered furniture meets the CAL TB117-2013 fire rating.
    • Appliances or furniture with built-in power outlets/USB ports
    • LED Strip lights/Holiday lights
    • Curtains/shades/blinds or any window treatment
    • Bed risers
    • Halogen bulb lamps
    • Multiple bulb lambs with plastic shades
    • Lava lamps
    • Wall decorations (posters, banners, flags, tapestries) that cover more than 25% of any wall
  • Cords/Plug-Ins
    • Non-surge Protected Extension cords/Multi-plug outlets
    • Plug-in air fresheners
  • Decorations
    • Streamers/Holiday lights
    • Live Christmas trees/Wreaths/Garland
  • Lithium Battery chargers and/or operated transportation devices (i.e. scooters, e-bikes, hover boards, etc.)

Prohibited Actions include, but not limited to, the following:

  • Failure to maintain a 36-inch path of egress out of the room/suite
  • Blocking exits with furniture or other items or preventing the door from opening to a 90-degree angle
  • Propping a room/suite door open with any object or using the dead bolt to prevent a room door from closing
  • Hanging posters, banners, flags, or other items from the ceiling or across the room door/windows
  • Removing University-provided furniture from student rooms/suites.
  • Wrapping a room/suite door in wrapping paper
  • Running wires across the floor, in front of a door, across the ceiling, or under a carpet
  • Excessively disorderly room/suite/or bathroom
  • Leaving any item in the hallway outside of a room door
  • Hanging items on a sprinkler head or water pipe
  • Failure to maintain an 18-inch clearance from the ceiling and/or sprinkler heads throughout the room
  • Actions that create a greater risk of fire, including but not limited to:
    • Leaving cooking food unattended
    • Leaving hair care appliances with heating elements (flat irons, curling irons, etc.) unattended 
    • Smoking of any kind (including e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and similar items) in any Residence Hall or within 25 feet of an entrance
  • Actions which may needlessly trigger fire suppression systems, including but not limited to:
    • Physical activities near fire suppression systems such as ball/frisbee throwing, hall sports, skateboarding, etc
    • Throwing or spraying of water, shaving cream, silly string, and/or other liquids
    • Excessive use of aerosol products
  • Actions which are intended to disable fire suppression systems, including but not limited to:
    • Tampering with, or damaging fire extinguishers or sprinkler control valves
    • Breaking a sprinkler head
    • Removing smoke detectors or covers
    • Covering smoke detectors
    • Tampering with, or damaging fire exit lights, pull stations, notification devices, or obstructing/locking exit doors
  • Actions with disregard for the community at large, including but not limited to:
    • Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm in the allotted 3-minute time frame
    • Deliberately causing a false alarm
    • Use of fireworks/explosives

Non-Compliance. The University reserves the right to remove and/or cause items to be removed which are not consistent with University policies and guidelines, and/or inhibit full use of the space by all roommates. Failure to comply with this policy may result in discipline including the removal from campus housing, and/or administrative withdrawal from University enrollment, among other actions.

Related Policies

  • Health and Safety Inspections
  • Micro-Mobility Devices (MMD) Policy

Responsible Offices

Department of Residence Life

Approval

Approved by Monica Burnette, Ph.D., Vice President of Student Services, on June 5, 2024. Amended and approved by Monica Burnette, Ph.D., Vice President of Student Services, on July 9, 2026.

Effective

June 5, 2024. First amended: July 9, 2026.