Student Fines and Charges

Students at Bates College can be fined monetarily for conduct that violate fire safety codes, student conduct codes, or where damages to buildings caused by malicious intent are documented through Campus Safety or Police reports, or some other means of verification. Charges could include but are not limited to false fire alarms (both accidental and malicious), use of candles, covered smoke detectors, and discharged fire extinguishers. The fines may be charged to a building, room, or individual depending on the circumstances. Categories for fines are:

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are the first line of defense in all buildings, and most Bates smoke detectors are supervised by the Lewiston Fire Department. Bates EHS views covered smoke detectors or smoke detectors that have been tampered with as a serious offense. If a covered or tampered smoke detector is observed or documented, the charge is $75 per offense, charged to the room. A notification will also be sent to the Office of Student Affairs.

Smoke detectors in the following residential buildings are monitored by Bates Campus Safety:

  • 80 Central Street
  • 84 Bardwell Street
  • 85 Franklin Street
  • 100 Nichols Street
  • 108 Nichols Street
  • 126 Wood Street
  • 350 College Street
  • 356 College Street

If a covered or tampered smoke detector in the above mentioned residential house is observed or documented, the charge is $75 per offense, charged to the house. A notification will also be sent to the Office of Student Affairs.

Fire Extinguishers

Fines or charges related to fire extinguisher use will not be assessed if the fire extinguisher is used in an appropriate manner. However, fines or charges may be assessed if the cause of the fire use is related to a violation of other Bates policies.

Cost to Replace

  • 2.5 lb Class ABC Dry Chemical: $ 31
  • 5 lb Class ABC Dry Chemical: $ 42
  • 10 lb Class ABC Dry Chemical: $ 61
  • 20 lb Class ABC Dry Chemical: $ 150
  • 5 lb Class BC Carbon Dioxide: $ 131
  • 10 lb Class BC Carbon Dioxide: $ 191

Cost to Service

  • 2.5-lb Class ABC Dry Chemical: $ 19
  • 5 lb Class ABC Dry Chemical: $ 23
  • 10 lb Class ABC Dry Chemical: $ 30
  • 20 lb Class ABC Dry Chemical: $ 45
  • 5 lb Class BC Carbon Dioxide: $ 27
  • 10 lb Class BC Carbon Dioxide: $ 33

Cost of Professional Cleanup: At the discretion of Bates EHS, a professional clean-up service may be contracted if the removal of dry chemical powder is beyond the capabilities of Bates staff. Various factors will be used to determine the method of cleaning, including day and time, campus events, location, staffing logistics, etc. Minimum costs that could be applied are listed below:

  1. Initiate Cleanup: $1000
  2. Foreman: $85/hour; $110/hour (overtime); $135 (nights/weekends)
  3. Technician: $75/hour; $100/hour (overtime); $125 (nights/weekends)
  4. Vehicle Fee: $200/hour
  5. Supplies/Equipment: various costs as itemized on invoice

In residential buildings, if individuals cannot be determined to be the cause of discharging an extinguisher for a non-emergency event, the cost of clean-up shall be charged to the residential building.

Kitchen Extinguishing Systems – Class K

Buildings equipped with cooking equipment are protected by dedicated fixed fire extinguishing apparatus for each space containing a stove that has open heating elements. Buildings with a Class K Fixed Extinguishing System are:

  • Adams Hall
  • Chase Hall (OIE)
  • Frye Street Union
  • Gillespie Hall (280 College St.)
  • John Bertram Hall
  • Kalperis Hall
  • Page Hall
  • Parker Hall
  • Roger Williams Hall
  • Smith Hall

The costs associated with malicious or accidental discharge of a Class K Fixed Extinguishing System are:

  1. Service Call: $90
  2. Labor onsite: $68/hour (minimum of 4 hours)
  3. Travel: $68/hour (minimum of 2 hours)
  4. Cylinder Swap: $481
  5. Cylinder Refill: $40
  6. Nitrogen Refill: $40
  7. Nozzle seals: $5/each