Loft Guidelines

1.  There is a distance minimum of 36” from the ceiling to the top of the mattress.  One of the reasons for this is that when a fire occurs the smoke and heat collect at the top of the room.  Contrary to what some people may think, smoke will NOT wake you up if you are sleeping as it actually puts a person into a deeper sleep.  It only takes one breath of super heated air to sear the inside of a person’s lungs which would severely injure them at this time and possibly end their life.  If it is found in violation, it will have to be lowered or removed.  There will not be any building of decks or any other structures in student’s rooms on campus unless specific permission has been received by EHS.  You must contact the Safety Coordinator for approval prior to building anything in your dorm rooms.  EHS will contact the House Corp. President to discuss.  (Quite a few have been built that may be jeopardizing the safety of the student and that is being addressed now).

2.  Lofts should be freestanding, which means they may not be attached to the walls, floor, or ceiling. The house corporation president may approve if the loft is not against window and cannot obstruct doorway.  Being against a window is a fire hazard and fireman cannot evacuate student through window if student is trapped and cannot escape through the door.

3.  Lofts should not exceed the floor area of the beds they replace (maximum size 4 ft. x 8 ft.).

4.  The occupant must be able to get out of the loft quickly.

5.  Lofts may not obstruct the functioning of windows and must be placed in such a way as to allow rapid egress from the room.

6.  Wiring shall not be attached to a loft.

7.  Lofts may not interfere with the functioning of smoke detectors.  An additional hardwired smoke detector may be required.

8.  Flammable materials such as paneling, tapestries, curtains, flags, posters, and fishnet may not be attached to or enclose the loft.

9.  Lofts may not be placed near any heat-producing source.

10.  Protruding objects such as coat hooks, nails, etc. are considered hazardous and are prohibited.

11.  Lofts or beds cannot be placed on more than one concrete block.  The concrete block must be positioned under the bed with the longest, solid side on the floor.

Lofts that do not conform to the above loft regulations are considered to be in violation, and a student is allowed seven days to make alterations for compliance. The loft is then re-evaluated, and if it is still found to be unacceptable, it is then removed at the student's expense.

Any alterations after the initial inspection must be discussed with the EHS before any revisions are made.