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Guidelines for Decorations in Residence Halls,
and other Campus BuildingsThe Student Handbook discusses Residence
Hall decorations under the section titled "Room and Hallway
Policies - Room Decoration Limitations."
Portions of which are quoted below, with some additional notes.
Because the handbook cannot cover all items that
might contribute to a particular concern, the use of the
word "etc." is intended
to allow the College staff to use their good judgment in
enforcing the intent of these rules.
This page is meant to serve as a supplement
to the Gordon College Student Handbook. It is not intended
to over rule any information contained there, or in any other
College policy.
Additional information presented here is based on NFPA
standards and accepted safety practices. |
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The Student handbook says (in part):
- 3. Location of Items: At no time are fire alarms, detectors, extinguishers,
electrical outlets, room lights, etc., to be covered by decorations.
No flags, blankets, sheets, clothing, etc., may be hung from the ceiling.
Strings of decorations or lights, as well as electrical cords and other
similar items, may not be strung across, through or over doorways unless
attached with permanent fixtures. Doorways, hallways and stairwells
must be kept clear of decorations and furnishings that may cause obstructions
of any kind.
Decorations may not interfere with the operation of devices
such as fire alarms, nor should they be in areas where electrical or other
heat producing devices may ignite them. Exit doors, hallways and stairwells
must also be kept clear of decorations that could cause obstructions of
any kind. The same types of items that may not be hung from the ceiling
of a dorm room may not be hung in these areas either. Aside from the combustibility
of such items, in the event of a fire, they can fall and entangle persons
attempting to exit though the area where they are hung.
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- 5. Holiday Decorating:
A. Only flameproof paper products and other material
may be used in residence halls. All decoration materials should be listed as "flameproof." Obviously,
not all posters, signs and other objects attached to the
walls meet this criteria. However, larger decorations intended
to be "strung" or hung about the hallways must meet this
standard. Ordinary crepe paper is highly flammable, so be
sure to check for the Flame Retardant variety.
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B. No live greenery, i.e., Christmas trees, wreaths,
etc., made from live evergreens may be used. Evergreens are highly flammable once they begin to dry
out. Any such item that is not planted in soil and actively growing
is susceptible to this. Unless specially treated with an appropriate
fire retardant, and approved by the local Fire Department, these
items are strictly prohibited in dormitories and "places of assembly" everywhere within Massachusetts.
Because proper treatment is much harder to do that it sounds, evergreens
are prohibited on campus.
C. At no time are fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers,
light switches, electrical outlets, room lights, etc., to be covered by
decorations.
See section 3 above.
D. Decorations in hallways, on walls and on doors are not allowed to cover
the entire surface. Door coverings are not to exceed 30% of the surface
or two by two feet in size.
In actuality, the National Fire Protection Agency standard is 20% of
the surface area, and should apply to walls, as well as doors. In the
event of a fire, such decorations increase the "fire load" as fuel, and
also add to confusion and obstruction as they fall off the walls. |
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E. Decorations are to be approved by the residence director prior to being
put up.
This provision attempts to catch problems before they occur. Getting
prior approval means you won't waste you time hanging things that may
need to be taken down again shortly after you are done.
F. Christmas lights are to have no splices, must be UL or Canadian approved
and be hung safely. Wires or strings may not be hung over doorways unless
attached with permanent fixtures.
All
electrical devices used at the college must be rated for the intended
use (e.g. UL approved) to ensure that they are safe. Wires, and other
lines, should not be strung across, or above, doorways since they can
fall and entangle persons, or other wise cause problems for those attempting
to exit through the area where they are hung. Additionally, electrical
wires must not run through doorways or windows where they may be pinched
or damaged, or create a tripping hazard. Additional information may be found through the GO Gordon
web service on these pages:
The web version of the Student
Handbook talks about Room Decorations in the "Room and Hallway Policies"
section.
- "Holiday
Decoration Tips" offers a few more tips just for the holidays.
- The College policy for "Candle
use on Campus" has a web version.
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