Dear Faculty and Staff,
Please review these critical safety reminders to help keep our spaces warm and protected:
- Keep heat registers along the window line clear of all paper, picture frames, plastic cups or other objects to mitigate the risk of fire and prevent damage to your personal property. Keeping these areas unobstructed also helps ensure proper airflow across the glass, keeping your workspace more comfortable.
- The use of individual space heaters is prohibited. Facility Operations staff will remove any that are found.
- During the heating season, it is university policy to provide operating temperatures between 68 and 72 degrees. If your workspace feels unusually warm or cold, please submit a Planon HVAC work order to notify the engineering team.
- If the HVAC issue arises after the Facility Operations office closes at 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or over the weekend, please call Public Safety so they can alert an engineer on duty.
- For access to the Planon system, please visit this website for more information.
We want to take a moment to remind you of several other university safety policies. The following items are prohibited on campus and cannot be used at any time for basic fire safety reasons:
- Household-type extension cords
- Hot plates
- All types of space heaters
- Cord-type surge protectors with cords longer than 6 feet
- Toaster ovens
Facility Operations reserves the right to confiscate all hazardous items upon discovery. Prohibited items purchased with university funds will be discarded, while personally purchased items will be returned with the expectation that they will be removed from campus immediately.
In addition, the City of Chicago requires an 18-inch clearance zone below the ceiling throughout all buildings. This clearance allows sprinklers to work effectively in the event of a fire. We also remind you to keep areas around your power outlets and power strips free of clutter throughout the year.
All buildings on DePaul’s campuses are equipped with fire extinguishers. In the event you need to use one, always prioritize your safety; when in doubt, evacuate. Lastly, never position yourself between a fire and the exit.
Click here to watch a short video on how to use a fire extinguisher.
Thank you for reviewing these reminders. Your attention and cooperation help keep our campus safe, comfortable and welcoming for everyone throughout the colder months.
Sincerely,
The Facility Operations Team