Fire Safety

Prevention and Liability

Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

Prohibited items apply to Vanderbilt residences and most academic buildings. Some
prohibited items, such as fireworks, extend to all residents of Davidson County. Off campus
residents should become familiar with local laws and regulations.

Prohibited Actions*

• Arson and igniting fires.
• Covering or obstructing light or heating/cooling sources with flammable
  materials (e.g., sheets, scarves, and paper).
• Use of electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, and/or tobacco products indoors or in
  non-designated areas (please see Vanderbilt’s Smoke-Free Campus policy).
• Use of candles or other devices that produce an open flame (items are subject
  to confiscation whether used or unused).
• Use or possession of fireworks.
• Use or possession of items that produce high level of heat (e.g., halogen lights
  and open burners).
• Use or possession of indoor or outdoor grills.
• Use or possession of combustible machines or materials in University residences.
• Use or possession of cut greenery or cut trees.
• Obstructing hallways, pathways, or windows used in case of emergency
  evacuations.
• Tampering with life-safety equipment (e.g., smoke detectors, fire alarms,
  sprinklers, emergency exit signs, and emergency exit doors).
  *For a complete list of policies, refer to the Student Handbook, available online.

Liability

• Residents may be held financially responsible for damages or losses resulting
  from accidents or negligence.
• Residents who suffer losses under such circumstances must take their claims
  to their own homeowners or renters insurance carriers. These companies may
  subrogate the claims to the carrier of the responsible resident’s insurance.
• Water damage due to sprinklers being triggered by horseplay or objects
  hanging from sprinkler heads is the most common issue.
• Insurance claims due to smoke and water damages from a fire have resulted in
  six-figure settlements between residents’ families.

Hoverboards & Urban Mobility Devices

The possession and storage of urban mobility devices, including dockless bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, and similar devices, is prohibited inside all Vanderbilt buildings, including, but not limited to, residence halls and Greek houses. If an urban mobility device is found in a residence hall, the device will be removed and the matter will be referred to Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity.  Please refer to the Student Handbook for more information.

Responding to a fire

If you smell smoke, see a fire, or hear a fire alarm:

• IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE THE BUILDING. Always use the stairs. Never use
  elevators during a fire. Help individuals requiring assistance in evacuating.
• If the fire alarm has not been activated, pull the manual fire alarm by the
  nearest exit.
• Before opening doors, check for heat:
  • IF THE DOOR IS COOL:
    • Open the door carefully and proceed to the nearest exit.
    • Close doors behind you and leave lights on.
    • If there is light smoke, stay low and cover your face with a cloth
      (e.g., shirt, blouse, etc.) to filter out particulates.
  • IF THE DOOR IS HOT, DO NOT OPEN:
    • Seek another exit.
    • If you are on a ground floor, try to exit through a window.
•  If you are trapped in a room on an upper floor:
  • Dial 911 to report your building, floor, room number, and the number of people
    with you.
  • Prevent smoke from entering the room. If available, place wet towels or cloth
    material at the bottom of the door and cover any vents.
  • If the room begins to fill with smoke, you can open the window slightly. Never
    break the window because this might cause a chimney effect and help spread
    the fire.
• Assist others as needed:
  • Offer to guide those with visual impairments.
  • Instruct those with hearing impairments to evacuate with you.
  • If you encounter anyone with mobility impairments, assist them. If they are
    unable to evacuate, assist them to a refuge point and instruct them to wait for
    Fire Department assistance.
    • The first choice for a refuge point would be a widened stairway landing that
      will accommodate a wheelchair without impeding patrons as they exit. If no
      stairway refuge exists, have them remain in a room with a window.
    • Make every attempt to ensure they have a phone or cell phone available.
    • Make note of the individual’s exact location and continue to evacuate
      the building.
  • Call 911 to report your building, floor, and location of anyone needing
    evacuation.
• After you safely evacuate from the building, report to your designated
  rally point.
• Report to your designated point of contact and report:
  • The location of anyone who could not be evacuated.
  • The location and phone number of anyone you assisted.
  • Any problems you witnessed while exiting the building, such as hallways/
    stairs filling with smoke or blocked by fire.
• DO NOT go back into the building until the Fire Department or the
  Vanderbilt University Police Department (VUPD) indicates that it is safe to
  do so.

To call the Vanderbilt University Police Department (VUPD) in an emergency: 

• Dial 911 from any campus phone.
• Dial 615-421-1911 from any other phone. 

How to use an extinguisher:

Small fires may be extinguished using a fire extinguisher. Stand approximately 8 feet from the fire and remember PASS:

PULL the pin

AIM at the base of the fire

SQUEEZE the handle

SWEEP slowly from side to side

Student Renter’s Insurance Requirement

The University’s property and liability insurance does not protect you or your guests against loss or damage to personal property or belongings or cover your liability for loss or damage caused by your actions or those of any of your guests. As a resident, you are liable to the University and others for loss or damage caused by your actions or those of your guests. More information can be found here.