|
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's the Buzz: Where (and why) did the furniture and signs from hallways go?
----------------------------------------
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS BUZZ SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO DENNIS HARRIS, dennis.harris@sonoma.edu
----------------------------------------
At the beginning of both last summer and this summer, Facilities staff removed furniture and other fixtures located (or sometimes just stored) in the hallways of buildings. In addition, and in accordance with the SSU Signage Policy adopted last year, signs, posters, and other materials that were improperly taped, tacked, or stapled to the walls, doors, and windows around campus were also removed.
Removal of the furniture was done to meet orders given the University by the State Fire Marshall and to insure that SSU is in compliance with California law (see the relevant section of the law below). In brief, SSU -- including its employees, students, and visitors are prohibited from placing anything that might burn or might obstruct peoples' movement to or from any entrance or exit to any building on campus. From the title of this section of the law, as well as other language in the regulations, an exit can be defined as any aisle, ramp, corridor, stairway or other passageway that act as the means of egress for building occupants. The means of egress extends from the point any office or occupied space in the building to public walkways beyond the borders of the building. The only exceptions to these rules require written approval by the Fire Marshall.
The "University Signage Policy", adopted in the Fall of 2000 is available on the web (www.sonoma.edu/uaffairs/policies/signagepolicy.htm). It recognizes and encourages the use of faculty, departmental, School, and general purpose bulletin boards and display cabinets. It also specifies where materials can, and cannot be posted. Signs, posters, and fliers put up in violation of the policy are subject to immediate removal, and those responsible for installing them may be charged the cost of their removal. SSU's biggest problem has been off-campus commercial vendors advertising their products and services to the "captive audience" represented by more than 7,000 SSU students, as well as some 1,400 employees.
What both efforts have in common is an attempt to make SSU as safe and as attractive as possible for those who are here to learn, to work, and to enjoy all that SSU has to offer.
------------------------------
California Code of Regulation Title 19 (19CCR, Section 3.11)
3.11 Exits, Aisles, Ramps, Corridors, and Passageways
Paragraph
(b) No person shall install, place or permit the installation or placement of any combustible material or equipment in or exposed to any exit.
Exceptions:
(1) Furniture or equipment constructed of wood or other material of similar combustibility may be permitted in an exit or exposed to an exit when approved by the enforcing agency.
(2) When approved by the enforcing agency, combustible materials may be permitted in exit foyers and lobbies.
(c) No person shall install, place or permit the installation or placement of any storage material of any kind in an exit regardless of the required width of such exit.
Exception: Personal material located in metal lockers in groups B and E occupancies as defined in Part 2, Title 24, CCR.
Back to What's the Buzz?