Fire safety

At DTU, we take fire safety seriously, as fire can have major consequences for people, values and operations. It is therefore important that everyone who stays at DTU is aware of compliance with current rules and guidelines.

DTU's building regulations

Subpages are updated continuously in the event of changes in legislation, new executive orders, new agreements/contracts, etc.

Reduce the risk of fire by exercising caution when using open flames. Fires related to open flames are usually caused by improper ignition or burning too close to flammable materials. The use of open flames must take place outdoors, in a controlled manner, and under supervision until the fire and embers are fully extinguished and no longer pose a risk of reignition.

Permission to use open flames must be approved by CAS Park and Road for each individual case.

Rules for any use of open flames

A safe distance of at least 5 metres must be maintained from buildings, sheds, etc. Ensure a similar distance from plants, hedges, and other flammable materials.
Smoke, embers, and ash must not cause nuisance to others.
Water must be readily available for fire extinguishing.

Specific rules for barbecues and disposable grills

The grill must be placed on a firm and stable surface, such as paving stones or tiles.
Flammable liquids must not be used for ignition. Use a chimney starter or firelighters instead.
Ash and charcoal residues must be cold and disposed of safely.

Specific rules for gas barbecues

The grill must be placed on a firm and stable surface, such as paving stones or tiles.
The manufacturer's instructions for use must be followed.
Before use, check the hose and regulator. After use: turn off the gas and remove the regulator.
In case of sudden fire: turn off the gas and close the lid of the grill.

Rules for bonfires and fire pits include the general safety precautions above. Only clean and dry wood, wood briquettes, etc., that are not waste may be burned.

Additional rules

When setting up in courtyards or enclosed gardens, escape routes must be accessible and unobstructed.
Call 112 in case of a fire you cannot extinguish yourself.

Barbecuing is not allowed during strong winds or very dry conditions. Authorities’ instructions during local bans (e.g., drought periods) must be followed. An overview of current fire bans can be found at www.brandfare.dk and on your local municipality’s website.

For more information

Burning Regulation, Executive Order No. 1339 of 10/12/2014

Remember fire safety at Christmas and New Year's Eve

As we all know, Christmas is a festival of light. In December, we brighten up the winter darkness with candles, and we decorate our homes and workplaces with decorations and Christmas trees.

However, Christmas is also the peak season for fires, and therefore it is important that you are careful not to compromise fire safety. Therefore, please exercise great care with regard to the following:

It is recommended not to use real candles. Use LED lights instead – they also benefit the indoor climate.

If you wish to use real candles, the following must be observed:

Never leave candles unattended
The person who lights the candle must extinguish it
Keep a safe distance from flammable items such as paper and hand sanitizer
Always have water nearby

Note that there may be local bans on the use of real candles.

Remember to check that emergency exit doors which open onto outdoor areas can be opened in the event of heavy snowfall—i.e. without the doors becoming blocked by snow.

DTU will henceforth place large Christmas trees outdoors for everyone’s enjoyment.

This applies to Lyngby, Ballerup, and Risø campuses.

Christmas decorations and Christmas trees must not be placed in escape routes. They should be placed in rooms where the door can be closed.
Decorations, trees and other flammable items must not be placed on escape staircases.
Decorations and trees must not be adorned with lights or light chains that generate heat.
Christmas trees must be treated with a fire retardant.
Decoration of escape routes and areas should be limited. Escape staircases must be completely free of any flammable materials.

New Year’s Eve is the busiest day of the year for the fire department! This can be due to reckless fireworks or vandalism/arson. Here you will find some advice to locally minimize fire risk in the days leading up to New Year:

Close the lids on waste containers and place waste in designated waste yards
Remove loose waste placed near buildings
Order extra waste collections if you observe large accumulations: Please send an email to Sune Ejlergaard and Tom Andreassen from Park og Vej
Close and lock gates, garages, and other areas that provide direct access to waste and other storage