Office Safety

Some of the most frequent violations of the fire code are found in office settings in, on and around campus. The tendency of occupants to treat their offices as their personal space and adopt habits that are not acceptable in a business setting results in frequent fire code violations. Be on the lookout for the following:

• Extension cord and relocatable power tap misuse
  • Daisy chaining
    • Plugging one extension cord into another or plugging an extension cord into a powerstrip or vice versa.
  • Use of extension cords in lieu of permanent wiring
    • Extension cords should be for temporary use only.
    • Best practice would be to unplug an extension cord at the end of each shift.
• Overloading circuits
  • If it heats/cools, shreds or copies, or produces significantly bright light - chances are it uses a LOT of electricity.
  • Just because there is an open plug doesn't mean it is safe to continue adding appliances
  • Although there is not currently a policy in place to prohibit cooking devices in individual offices it is likely on the horizon. Utilization of department break areas or conference rooms for food preparation is best practice.
• Blocking electrical panels
  • If there is an electrical fire - the power needs to be turned off before the fire can be completely extinguished. If the electrical panel is inaccessible this will delay the fire fighting process and could result in additional fire damage or injury.
• Inappropriate or excessive storage of unused decorative materials, equipment, or documents in offices and electrical/mechanical storage rooms.
  • Storage of ANY items in a room designated as an electrical/mechanical storage area "not necessary to maintain the building" is strictly prohibited by California Fire Code.
  • Excessive storage of unused items is fire loading. The more fire loading the more intense the heat of a fire; the hotter the fire gets, the more rapidly it spreads and the more damage it does. Discard or electronically archive unnecessary paperwork and surplus obsolete or damaged equipment.

• Remember that University Dining Services has the right of first refusal on all food/beverages to be provided for campus events.
• If they are unable to accommodate your request, please ensure that the food items come fully prepared from a kitchen permitted by the Fresno County Department of Public Health (i.e. grocery/deli, restaurant, caterer).

Questions about food safety? Contact EHS at  ehsrm@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.7422.  

Christmas Trees:

• Live trees and/or greenery are not permitted.
• Artificial trees, wreaths, boughs, garland or greenery labeled as fire resistant or flame retardant (UL 2358) are permitted. Artificial trees may be metallic or non-metallic.
• Do not add electric lights to metallic trees as that could cause an electrical hazard.
• Christmas trees and related combustible decorations are not permitted in corridors, aisles, stairways or passageways.

Decorations:

• Decorations are not allowed to obstruct the usual view of exit signs or any other life safety device (i.e., fire extinguisher, pull station, horn/strobe, sprinkler head or piping, etc.).
• For holiday decorations, use plastic or foil decorations such as satin balls, plastic icicles, holiday ribbon.
• Combustible material such as wrapping paper, contact paper and plastic may not be placed on interior doors facing hallways, stairways or other doors in the exit path. Decorations on doors shall not obstruct views through door vision panels.
• Approved non-combustible items cannot be hung from sprinklers, smoke detectors, emergency lights or any life safety equipment.
• Electrical candles may be used.
• The use of candles, lanterns, oil lamps or any type of other open flames is prohibited.

Electric Holiday Lights:

• LED electric light sets must be properly labeled and identified for indoor use.
• Battery-operated LED strip lighting is not allowed.
• All holiday LED lights shall be turned off before leaving the area, and at the end of the work day.
• The use of holiday lights, electric ornaments and extension cords in corridors and over exit doors is prohibited. Wiring shall not be strung through doors or ceilings or placed under carpeting.
• No extension cords shall be used — only one (UL 1363 listed) power strip can be used. No piggybacking (multiple power strips plugged into each other). If possible, plug directly into a power outlet.
• No more than three sets of holiday LED lights shall be connected together.
• Before using, light strings should be carefully checked to ensure there are no loose sockets and that wires are not frayed or damaged.
• Holiday lights should not come into contact with paper, packages, cloth or other combustible items.
• Light strings should not be attached to walls or molding with staples, tacks, nails or paper tape. Use electrical tape or string them with cup-type hooks.

Adhering to these guidelines will help to ensure that we have a festive, safe and enjoyable holiday atmosphere.

If you have any questions, contact the EHS/RM team at ehsrm@mail.fresnostate.edu.

• Maintain corridor width in student and office areas of no less than 32"
• Maintain walking access space in not normally occupied areas, like storage rooms, no less than 24"