Appliance & Fire Safety FAQs

The prohibition was implemented to keep our campus work environment safe. There have been problems caused by an increasing number of appliances left on overnight, an increasing number of overloaded electrical circuits, and the use of portable heating appliances near combustible materials.

The use of ALL portable devices used for heating is now prohibited and these appliances should be removed from workspaces immediately.   

No. All approved portable appliances should be located in the lounge/breakrooms of each building

If there are any devices that are operated by plugging into a computer or laptop, they must be approved by IT.

No portable heating appliances are authorized. Facilities and Services maintains building environments as prescribed in ASHRAE Standard 55 – Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. The goal is to maintain a year-round target average temperature of 74°F, with an occupied temperature range of 68°F - 74°F in the fall/winter and (72°F - 80°F) in the spring/summer, with a preferred range of 70°F - 76°F.

The red tag is a notification that the appliance is prohibited and must be removed immediately for the safety of staff, students and patients. If the Safety Team red tags an appliance, the user will have 30 days to remove the appliance from the workspace or office. If it is not removed, the Safety Team will confiscate the appliance. Owners will have to contact the Safety Team and provide evidence of ownership to reclaim their personal property. 

The Safety Team is in the process of updating all Operating Policies. The Environment of Care (EOC) Fire Safety Management Plan approved by the Safety Committee contains the documentation under Life Safety Policies, paragraph 1, where electrical appliances are prohibited on campus. 

Please contact Facilities and Services at 915-215-4500 or askfselp@ttuhsc.edu.