Safety is important.  Campus Building and Fire Codes regulate public safety in a number of areas that require both your awareness and cooperation.  Major items include:

• Corridors and stair towers are means of evacuation in an emergency.  Their width should be maintained without obstacles or obstructions. This is also an ADA requirement. All items in corridors are required to be flame retardant.
• Extension cords should not be laid on floors in classrooms or plugged into one another to reach an outlet. This is both a trip and fire hazard. 
• Microwave ovens and other appliances are only authorized in break rooms and must have UL Commercial use tested.    
• Avoid use of scented air fresheners, aerosols and candles that negatively impact air quality within a building and may cause some to have asthmatic or allergic symptoms.
• Placing items within 24″ of a door jamb on the latch side or 18″ on the opposite latch side voids ADA compliance. Keep these areas clear of obstructions.
• Interior fire doors have a closer and a label on the door facing the hinges. Fire doors are required to be closed unless connected to hold open device triggered by the fire alarm system. 

This is a short and critical list of campus safety items that can incur fines on VWCC for violations. If you have a specific question or need more detail contact Facilities Planning and Development (FPD). 

Thank You,     

FPD