Fire Safety

If the fire alarms sound, you MUST leave your room immediately. WALK down the stairs, exit the building, and proceed to your building’s fire evacuation location. Do not take the elevator and do not re-enter the building until you are given permission to do so by staff. NEVER assume the alarm is false.  Note that during an alarm, fire doors will automatically close on your floor and your nearest stairwell may not be the one you normally use to exit.

Please familiarize yourself with exit routes (posted in each room). If you are in your room, feel the door first to see if it is hot. If it is, do not open it. Otherwise, open it slowly. Construction and furnishing materials emit highly toxic gasses when burning. Sudden sources of fresh air can cause a slow burning fire to explode. If you encounter heavy smoke or excessive heat in the hall, return to your room and close the door and place a towel under the door to keep the smoke out. Try to attract attention from your room window and wait for help. Do not attempt to break the glass or open the window, since additional air may accelerate the fire.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE - RESIDENCE HALL FRONT DESK 

Safety Officers staff the residence hall desks 24 hours a day/7 days a week. An officer is stationed at the main desk on the first floor of each residence hall. If you need help, contact the officer in your building immediately at one of the numbers listed below. Please be respectful of the safety staff at all times. Safety Officers may detain students if they believe a violation is taking place. There is a first aid box at the main desk for minor cuts and burns. Public Safety or Boston EMS will transport anyone in need of further medical attention to a local hospital. The residence halls also have an on-call system to ensure that Resident Assistants and a Residence Hall Director are available during the evening and nighttime hours and weekends to assist with emergency situations. 

• Artists’ Residence Desk: 617-879-5111 

• Smith Hall Desk: 617-879-7809 

• Tree House Desk: 617-879-5121

The Artists’ Residence and Tree House both evacuate to the MassArt Ward St parking lot (located behind the the Artists’ Residence). 

Due to Boston fire regulations, and for the safety of all residents, all cooking appliances (outside of an on-campus apartment kitchen) including hot pots, popcorn poppers, rice cookers, deep fryers and any items with exposed heating elements are prohibited. 

Stereos (recommendation: bring headphones), bluetooth speakers, televisions, reading lamps, personal computers, and portable hair dryers are permitted in the residence halls. 

Electric blankets, sun lamps, halogen lamps, and electric heaters are prohibited within the residence halls. 

Refrigerators four cubic feet or less, with an outside dimension not exceeding 48” (either in length or width), are permitted in the residence halls. You must maintain (including cleaning) all appliances.  

Microwaves are allowed in the kitchen spaces within the Artists' Residence. In Smith Hall and the Tree House, 1 microwave (900 watts or less) is permitted per apartment/suite.

Because of the health issues related to particular art-making processes, certain materials are not allowed in living quarters, and restrictions are placed on what types of artwork may be worked on within the halls. Flammable and combustable materials may not be stored in rooms. You may not use processes that give off harmful fumes or particles (i.e., spray paint, spray mount, air brushing). If resident students need to use spray mediums, they may utilize the spray room on the 9th floor of the Artists’ Residence. Residents may not use public sidewalk space outside any residence halls for spray painting. Specific restrictions regarding Use of Art Materials in the Residence Halls are posted in the various workrooms. 

Your residence hall room will be your home for the year and we want you to feel comfortable. Because residence hall rooms are combinations of living, sleeping, and studying areas, they contain all sorts of combustible materials. To minimize the risk of fire, please adhere to the following: 

• Fire ignition sources (high intensity lamps, hot glue guns, hair dryers, etc.) should be kept away from combustible materials. 

• The room’s heating unit or radiator must be kept clear of combustible materials.

• If you use posters/wall hangings to decorate your room, do so in moderation. Entire walls may not be covered, as this ensures the rapid spread of fire. Decorations must be affixed flat against walls so that flames cannot reach both sides. 

• Absolutely no cloth, paper, or flammable material (including lamp shades) may be hung from the ceiling, as this poses a hazard. If you choose to use your own curtains, you must be able to show proof that they are fire retardant. 

• Nothing should be attached to or cover any smoke detectors, sprinkler head covers or fire alarm strobes/speakers. Water from sprinkler heads must be accessible to all areas of the room in the event of a fire. Furniture, fabric or other dividers may not be placed in a way that the flow of water would be restricted in the event of an emergency.

For the safety of all occupants, candles, oil lamps, fireworks, blowtorches, combustible gas tanks, or any sources of open flame are not allowed to be used or stored in any part of the residence halls. Smoldering incense is prohibited. Melting paraffin, or other flammable materials, is prohibited in the residence halls. Smoking any substance is prohibited in all residence halls. 

No items (furniture, bicycles, etc.) may be stored in the hallways, stairwells, or entrances of the buildings except in specifically designated areas. No posters, projects, or other student work should be left in the hallways. At no time should posters, paper, or flammable materials be hung from the ceilings of the hallways or workrooms. If this occurs, the materials will be removed and thrown away.