Fire Safety

UND’s new interim policy for personal electric vehicles (PEVs), including scooters, skateboards, hoverboards and electric bikes, was created to address fire and other safety concerns. 

Effective immediately, PEVs are subject to be impounded at the owner’s expense if found inside UND buildings or are parked, charged, or stored improperly. 

Where to Park

PEVs may only be parked in UND bike racks located at least 20 feet from campus buildings. It is strongly recommended that they are secured with U-shaped locks designed specifically for scooters.

Where to Charge

You may not charge your PEV inside or around any campus buildings. If you need to charge your PEV, you may take it to the UND Police Department. There is no cost to charge your PEV.

Where to Store

Free extended storage is available at the UND Department of Public Safety.   

To charge or store, bring your PEV to the front desk at the UND Police Department: 

3851 Campus Road
Map 

Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

The Problem

Lithium-ion batteries are usually the source of power for both, and if not used correctly, or if damaged, those batteries can catch on fire or explode.

• Damaged or defective batteries can over- heat, catch fire, or explode.
• Lithium-ion battery fires give off toxic gases and they burn extremely hot.
• Store e-bikes, e-scooters, and batteries away from exit doors and anything that can get hot or catch fire.
• Only have device repairs performed by gases and they burn extremely hot.

Safety Tips

• Only purchase and use devices, batteries, and charging equipment that are listed by a nationally recognized testing lab and labeled accordingly.
• Always follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
• Only use the battery and the charger that were designed for, and came with, the device.
• Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.
• Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycling is always the best option. Take the batteries to a battery recycling location or contact your local waste department for disposal instructions.

Signs of a Problem

• Stop using the e-bike or e-scooter if you notice any of these problems with the battery: unusual odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge.
• Only charge one device or device battery at a time to prevent overloading the circuit.
• Keep batteries at room temperature when possible. Do not charge them at temperatures below 32°F (0°C) or above 105°F (40°C).
• Do not store batteries in direct sunlight or inside hot vehicles, and keep them away from children and liquids.

If you see a fire:

• Leave the building immediately.
• Don’t try to fight the fire.
• Call 911.

When staying at a hotel, be sure to familiarize yourself with the following hotel fire safety guidelines:

• Acquaint yourself with all hotel emergency procedures.
• Make sure you know where all emergency exits are nearest to your room, as well as any conference rooms, dining areas, and any other hotel facilities you may frequent during your stay.
• When you hear the fire alarm sounding, immediately leave your room. Be only concerned with grabbing essential clothing and your room key. Use the stairs to go to the main floor; exit the hotel as quickly as possible; and follow all directions from the hotel staff.
• If the doorknob or door is hot, do not open the door to your room. Immediately, begin to fill the bathtub with water and get all the towels and washcloths wet.
• If smoke begins to come into the room from under the door, place the wet towels across the bottom of the door.
• Use whatever means necessary to notify emergency responders that you are trapped in your room (i.e. phone, cellular phone, wave a towel in the window, shine a flashlight out, etc.).
• Do not jump from the window of an upper story room, unless told to do so by emergency responders.

Candles, incense, or similar devices with open flames are prohibited in all campus buildings. This includes dormitories and offices. Some exemptions apply in Apartment/Family Housing and for supervised special events where prior approval has been granted.

The University complies with the fire codes and standards mandated by the State of North Dakota. Combustibles are objects that are capable of catching fire and burning, including but not limited to: paper, cardboard, wood, leaves, and fabric. Some of the key combustible storage concepts in these codes and standards include:

Storage of combustible materials in buildings must be orderly.

Combustible material must not be stored in exits or exit enclosures.

Two feet of clearance must be maintained below the ceiling in non-sprinklered areas of buildings. Eighteen inches or more of clearance is required below sprinkler head deflectors in areas of buildings that are sprinkled. Thirty-six inches or more of clearance is required below fast response sprinkler heads. Storage must be arranged with this in mind.

Combustible material storage is not permitted in boiler rooms, mechanical rooms, communication rooms, or electrical equipment rooms. According to Housing's Safety & Security policy, no combustible material can be stored in equipment rooms or attic areas or similar spaces

Attic, under-floor, and concealed spaces used for storage of combustible materials must be protected on the side where the materials are stored as required for 1-hour fire resistive construction. Openings are required to be protected by assemblies that are self-closing and are of non-combustible construction or solid wood core not less than 1.75 inches in thickness. Storage must not be placed on exposed joists. Some exemptions apply in areas protected by approved automatic sprinkler systems.

Oily rags and similar materials must be stored in metal, metal-lined, or other approved containers equipped with tight fitting covers. They are to be emptied daily.

Fueled equipment, including but not limited to motorcycles, mopeds, lawn-care equipment, and portable cooking equipment, must not be stored, operated, or repaired within a building. Some exemptions apply in buildings or rooms constructed for such use in accordance with applicable fire codes and where allowed by Sections 313 or 314 of the International Fire Code. The storage surface shall be protected by placement of a barrier (e.g. plastic, cardboard, wood, drip pans) to prevent contamination from oil, gas, grease, or other hazardous material.

Combustible rubbish kept or accumulated within or adjacent to buildings or structures must be in containers complying with applicable fire codes or in rooms or vaults constructed of non-combustible materials.

Decorations must not disguise, cover, or interfere with any safety device, including fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, exit signs, sprinkler heads and piping, and fire alarm pull stations.

Live cut trees must have prior permission from Office of Safety and have a tag showing that they have been flame-retardant treated. The tag must include the name and registration number of the chemical used, the name of the applicator and the date of treatment. Keep natural trees in water at all times to slow the natural drying process.

Live trees are not permitted in the residence halls. Artificial trees are allowed when placement, lighting, decorations and monitoring rules are adhered to. They must be kept out of corridors and away from doorways and heat sources.

Lights must bear the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) seal of approval and must be of miniature size. Be certain that there are no loose sockets and that wires are not frayed or damaged. Do not run wiring through doorways, under carpeting or through holes in a wall. The use of extension cords should be avoided; rather, a multiple-outlet power strip with an internal circuit breaker is recommended. Always turn the holiday lights off when you leave the building.

Decorating guidelines for apartment housing can be referenced in the UND Apartment Policy Handbook.

For further information, contact the Office of Safety at 701.777.3341

Large fires such as bonfires, brush fires, etc, are only allowed if they have been approved by the Office of Safety and the Grand Forks City Fire Marshal. Once approved, a permit is required with the city of Grand Forks. There is a charge associated with this permit.

With the use of a recreational fire permit, the Office of Safety may approve smaller fires such as campfires. This approval is granted under specific criteria on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Office of Safety for more information on recreational fires.

Alarm modification, other than authorized testing or maintenance, cannot be made to any University-owned and/or controlled fire alarm system without first receiving approval from and training through Office of Safety. Upon receiving approval to use alarm modification, all standard operating procedures must be followed.

The only events eligible to use alarm modification are those approved through the activity/event approval process and must fall into one of three categories: performances, rehearsals, or special assemblies.