Pacific School of Religion

COOKING

Cooking is allowed only in designated kitchen areas. Students living in dorm rooms are permitted to have one mini-size refrigerator, but due to fire hazard concerns, other appliances are not permitted. Kitchen appliances are provided in non-dormitory units.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

Electric heaters, electric burners, and toaster ovens are not allowed. Before leaving for breaks and holidays, residents must unplug all electrical devices to guard against fire hazards. 

ELECTRICAL CORDS AND OUTLETS

Multi-plug outlets and improper use of power strips create fire and safety hazards. Power strips are allowed when plugged directly into an outlet. Use of extension chords and/or "chaining" power strips is prohibited. 

The outlets in each room were designed for either one or two plugs. Multi-plug covers, cords, or other splitters used to increase the number of plugs on one outlet are prohibited due to safety hazards and possible circuit overloads. However, a multi-plug power strip with an internal fuse is permissible.

This is not an exhaustive list of problems that can be caused by improper use of cords and outlets. For further clarification, please contact Facilities and Maintenance at 510.849.8254 with additional questions.

FIRE POLICIES AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES

Fire drills are conducted periodically to ensure residents' safety in the event of a fire emergency. Residents should locate the exit nearest their dorm/unit location. PSR considers fire safety extremely important, and students have an obligation to adhere to school regulations, as well as city and state statutes. Residents will participate in fire drills each semester. Failure to respond appropriately to fire alarms will result in judicial action for those involved and will necessitate additional drills for all residents.

• FALSE ALARM: Students are asked to respect the residential community and not set off false alarms. In the event of a false alarm, every effort will be made to identify the responsible individual(s). When such persons are identified, they will be referred to the senior administrative staff for judicial action.

• FIRE PREVENTION REGULATIONS: The following are prohibited in the residence halls because of their potential as fire hazards:

1. Open flames such as candles, incense, matches, and lighters
2. Appliances other than mini refrigerators 
3. Doors and walls in rooms that are more than one-half covered with paper or posters
4. Use or possession of fireworks or firecrackers 
5. Use or possession of combustible paints, spray paint, or liquids 
6. Mopeds or other combustible engines 
7. Halogen lamps

• FIRE EVACUATION PROCEDURES: When the alarm sounds, each resident should follow the established procedures: 

1. Residents should leave their doors open as they exit their rooms. (If possible, residents should take their room key with them.)
2. Residents should begin an immediate and orderly evacuation. Residents should not run. They should move quickly to the nearest designated stairwell and exit. They should exit the building and wait for instructions or permission to re-enter the building. 
3. The residence hall staff will signal when the building is safe and ready for re-entry. No one is allowed to reenter until this signal is given. Personnel authorized to give reentry instructions include PSR administrators, or the PSR security officer. Please note that firemen may indicate a building is safe, but they cannot give permission to reenter the building. Firemen should be treated with respect at all times. Anyone who does not evacuate or who does not comply quickly and properly with the instructions of a staff member will be reported to the senior administrative staff. Failure to evacuate a building after a fire alarm has sounded will be subject to appropriate judicial action.

• MISUSE OF FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT: Any individual who misuses or tampers with fire safety equipment will be subject to disciplinary action and the cost of repair or replacement of misused or damaged equipment, cleaning of the facility, and damage to other property. Fire safety equipment includes, but is not limited to, signs, extinguishers, smoke detectors, and pull stations.

• SETTING FIRE: Any individual who intentionally and/or recklessly sets a fire (commits arson) in or near a school building is subject to immediate dismissal from the school, and may be charged for repairing any damage caused by the fire. In addition to being subject to school penalties, any student who starts a fire, damages or tampers with evacuation alarms, or misuses fire safety equipment also may be subject to prosecution in criminal court by the proper federal, state, county, or city authorities, and/or the City of Berkeley Fire Department in accordance with the Berkeley Fire Code and all statutes, laws, rules, and regulations.