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On first moving into the building, you should familiarize yourself with the
location of fire alarm pull stations, stairways and emergency exits. You
should plan for primary and alternate means of emergency escape and become
familiar with fire fighting instructions on fire extinguishers and be certain
to know how they operate. If you are not sure how they work, ask your
resident assistant.
In case of fire:
Stay calm. Always sound the building fire alarm immediately. If the alarm fails to operate, warn other occupants by knocking on doors and shouting warnings. Call the University Police at 456 from a safely located phone. Give as much information as possible to the dispatcher. Do not assume that someone else has already notified the University Police. The University Police will immediately notify the Fire Department and dispatch officers to the scene. Do not hang up until told to do so by the dispatcher. Before opening the door, feel it with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do the following (if it is not hot go to step 5).
Open the windows.
Seal cracks around the door with towels, tape, bed clothing or similar items to keep out the smoke.
If you are trapped, hang a sheet, jacket, or shirt or other object out the window that will attract attention. Shout for help. Call the University Police on the phone and tell them that you are unable to get out of your room. The University Police will be in direct radio contact with officers at the fire. Remain calm until firefighters reach you from the hallway or window. Their first duty upon arriving at a fire is to search for persons trapped in the burning building.
If you are able to leave the room, do so immediately and:
Take your key with you in case you are forced to return. Close all doors behind you as you exit. This will retard the spread of smoke and lessen damage.
Go to the nearest exit or stairway. Do not use an elevator.
If smoke, heat or fire blocks your exit, go to an alternate exit.
If all exits from a floor are blocked go back to your room and follow the procedures described above in 4.
If smoke is present keep low to the floor. Take short breaths to avoid inhaling any more smoke than necessary. Leave the building immediately. When the University Police and/or
firefighters arrive, direct them to the fire. After leaving the building, stand clear. Follow the directions of
University Police and firefighters. Do not reenter the building for any
reason until the fire department has declared it safe.
If you hear the fire alarm:
- Follow steps 4 though 8 above.
Fire drills:
Illinois and Evanston law require quarterly fire drills in dormitories, fraternities and sororities. They are conducted quarterly to familiarize residents with the sound of the fire alarm, emergency exits, and procedures for evacuating the building. You must respond to the drill and abide by the established procedures. Resident Assistants and hall coordinators are responsible for seeing that students are familiar with fire drill procedures.
Tornado procedure:
Emergency services personnel from the City of Evanston keep a watchful eye on weather conditions and warn the populace of impending tornadoes. Civil Defense sirens will sound a continuous three-minute unwavering blast in the event a tornado has been sighted and a tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather Service. University Police will also receive notice of the warning by way of their State Police communications connection. In the event of a tornado warning, residents should take the following steps:
If inside a building, go to an interior hallway or other enclosed area on a lower floor and away from windows. Avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums or other large rooms where roof collapse may be more likely to happen. In wood frame buildings, go to the basement or seek shelter under heavy furniture. If you are outside when the siren sounds, seek shelter indoors, preferable in a steel-framed or reinforced building of substantial construction. Avoid windows.
Thunderstorms, hail and lightning:
Stay away from trees. Seek shelter inside and away from windows. Close drapes or other window coverings. Turn off and unplug electrical appliances. To avoid electrical shock do not use or come in contact with plumbing fixtures.
Earthquake safety:
Survey your area for conditions that would pose hazards in an
earthquake. In the even of an earthquake, "duck, cover, and hold" and when the initial shock is over leave the building. Do not go back into the building until it is cleared for reentry.
Residence hall rules and policies:
Air conditioners
The installation of air conditioners is prohibited. Appliances
Evanston housing code forbids the use or storage in rooms of stoves, hot plates, coffee pots or other appliances for cooking or heating food or beverages, whether connected or not. In addition, other heat producing appliances such as irons may not be used in sleeping rooms. Refrigerators with interiors larger than three cubic feet are prohibited. For safety, unplug all appliances when not in use. Arson
By Illinois law, a person commits aggravated arson when by means of fire or explosive, he or she knowingly damages, partially or totally, any building, and he or she knows or reasonably should know that one or more persons are present therein. Aggravated arson is a Class X felony. Imprisonment of not less than 6 years, without probation, must be sentenced upon conviction. Bicycles
Bicycles may not be stored in any area of residence hall other than in areas specifically designated for such use or in the owner's room. Bicycles parked in common areas, stairwells, attached to handrails, furniture or otherwise impeding egress from a building will be removed at the bicycle owner's expense. All bicycles left lying on grassed areas or blocking entrances, sidewalks, stairways, passageways, or found chained to stair, hand or porch railings, or found inside University buildings will be impounded. Combustive materials
Excessive storage of combustible material in rooms is not allowed. Store combustible materials in a safe place away from heat sources. Storage of combustible materials in attics, furnace rooms, stairwells, or rooms used for electrical equipment is prohibited. Decorating
Lofts, hanging blankets, rugs, fishnets or other drapings are not permitted. Combustible decorations must not be put on ceilings, in entry ways, on doors or near heat sources such as radiators or light bulbs. The building or installation of "lofts," furniture or other structures of any kind or size is prohibited. All University furnishings and fixtures must always remain in assigned rooms. Doors
All room doors should always be locked, especially when residents are not in the room. Required stairway fire doors shall be kept closed at all times. Electrical
Multiple-plug outlet converters used for electrical appliances drawing more than the allowed amperage from the outlet are prohibited. Excessive numbers of appliances shall not be plugged into an outlet. Damaged or overloaded extension cords are prohibited. The use of extension cords as permanent wiring is not allowed. Exit paths
Do not block exits. Arrange all furniture to provide a clear, unobstructed path to all exit doors. All exit doors, interior doors, exitways and other means of egress shall be kept clean of all materials, such as posters, papers and other combustibles. Fire drills
All occupants of a residence hall must leave the building during a fire exit drill. Fire equipment
Fire alarm systems in University building automatically transmit alarms to the University Police. Tampering with fire alarm equipment and/or extinguisher devices or using them for other purposes is prohibited. Sounding a false fire alarm is a violation of City and State law and will result in removal from University housing and other possible sanctions. Flammable liquids
Flammable and toxic liquids or materials are not allowed in sleeping rooms. Open flames, etc.
Lighted candles, fireworks, explosives and incendiary devices are prohibited. The possession or use of firearms or other weapons of any description and for any purpose is prohibited. Operation of bicycles and rollerblades
Bicycling and rollerblading is not allowed in University buildings. When bicycling or rollerblading on sidewalks, or upon or along crosswalks or paths, the right-of-way shall be yielded to pedestrians and an audible signal given before overtaking or passing. In addition, bicyclists and rollerbladers must act and operate as pedestrians. Roofs
Residents are prohibited from entering onto roofs through any window, from using ladders, or other equipment or means to gain access, and from being present on roofs for any purpose. Furniture of any kind is not allowed on roofs and there shall be no physical activity or games of any kind allowed on roofs. Smoking
Smoking in bed is prohibited by law. Smoking is only allowed in posted areas. Use a good ashtray whenever using smoking materials and never empty ashtrays into a wastebasket until the contents are cool to the touch. Vehicles
No motorcycle or other motor vehicle is allowed in any area of any residence hall for storage or for any other purpose.
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