U.Va. implements fire code regulations
By Christopher Jones | September 1, 2004Students living on Grounds are discovering that uncovered posters and pictures on walls are joining extension cords and George Foreman grills on the list of items banned in University housing facilities. Beginning this semester, the University is fully implementing the International Fire Code, which only allows posters, pictures and other flammable materials on walls if they are "flame-resistant," or covered under glass or Plexiglas. Last year, posters and pictures could cover up to 10 percent of wall and ceiling space, but the 10 percent rule now applies to flame-resistant materials, and flammable materials are banned from walls and ceilings. The code already had been in effect, but the University decided to wait until now to enforce the flame-resistant requirement to avoid too much change in one year, said Burt Joseph, the assistant director of facilities for University Housing. "Rather than institute all of it at one time, we elected to phase it in," Joseph said. Students expressed understanding at the need for safety, but many said they were disappointed by the restriction. "I don't really like it," said first-year College student Megha Modi.
