October is National Fire Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about fire safety and preparedness. The safety of our campus community is a shared responsibility, and your role is essential in maintaining a safe teaching, learning, and working environment.
We ask all faculty and staff to take a moment to review key fire safety practices and ensure your workspaces and classrooms are compliant with University policies and safety standards.
UAH Fire Emergency Procedures
Your Role:
- Know your evacuation routes: Familiarize yourself with the nearest emergency exits in your building.
- Keep exits clear: Do not block hallways, doors, or stairwells with furniture, boxes, or equipment. Remove any items currently stored in these areas and avoid storing anything in staircase areas.
- Report hazards promptly: If something is immediately dangerous to life and health, dial 911 or UAHPD at 256.824.6911. If you see damaged electrical cords, malfunctioning alarms, or other potential fire hazards, notify Facilities and Operations at facilities@uah.edu and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at oehs@uah.edu.
- Use electrical equipment responsibly: Overloading extension cords or daisy-chaining them creates fire hazards. Ensure all electrical devices are plugged directly into approved outlets or use power strips with built-in circuit breakers. For any electrical needs requiring permanent solutions, submit an online service request.
- Locate fire safety equipment: Know where fire extinguishers, alarms, and emergency pull stations are located in your building.
Campus-Wide Fire Safety Resources
The Fire Safety Report contains information regarding fire safety policies, fire safety systems, and fire drills in residential facilities, as well as statistics regarding the incidents of fire in residential facilities over the past three years.
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) provides several fire safety resources to the campus.
OEHS Campus Safety
Together, We Make Campus Safer
Your daily attention to fire prevention practices helps protect not only our physical spaces, but also the lives of our students, colleagues, and visitors. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to safety and preparedness.
Resources
Questions? Contact the Office of Risk Management and Compliance at riskmanagement@uah.edu or the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at oehs@uah.edu.