Fire Safety

Providing inspections, plan review, and code consultation; serving as a fire protection and life safety resource for all UC Berkeley-owned and occupied buildings.

Red Flag Warning Guidelines on Game Days

Red Flag Warnings are directed by the National Weather Service when weather conditions are favorable to the rapid spread of wildfires. This warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are occurring or expected to occur shortly. This condition could be due to low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, or any combination thereof.

The following open flame heat sources are prohibited during Red Flag Warnings:

Open flame cooking devices, charcoal, or other flame...

Self Closing Flammable Cabinets

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2025

California Fire Code (CFC) regulations establish the quantity and methods for flammable and combustible liquids storage in research and teaching laboratories.

Flammable Liquid Transfer Guidelines

Flammable Liquid Transfer Guidelines

Sterno® Chafing Fuel Guidelines

The use of Sterno/chafing fuel is prohibited* unless approved and permitted by the Fire Marshal’s office. The use of Sterno/chafing fuel shall be limited to the individual event covered by request/permit and shall not be construed as establishing any precedent for any future requests or events.

Sterno® is not permitted for use in private office spaces, amphitheaters, sleeping areas, and certain other non-public areas.

These guidelines address both the information needed in the application to successfully apply for a permit and for the safe operating...

Red Flag Warning Guidelines

Purpose:

This guideline aims to ensure the safety of our campus community by prohibiting the use of any outdoor open flame devices during Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

Red Flag Warnings are directed by the National Weather Service when weather conditions are favorable to the rapid spread of wildfires. This warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are occurring or expected to occur shortly. This condition could be due to low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, or any...

Fire Safety & Lab Doors: Propping Open Doors

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2025

Many people prop doors open for ease of access or to increase airflow. However, not all doors are allowed to be propped open. Laboratory doors and any door opening into a corridor should never be propped open.

Access to many campus labs is restricted to approved personnel due to the presence of hazardous materials and equipment, including lasers, radiation sources, as well as biological and chemical agents. These areas require specific safety training and personal protective equipment (PPE) before entry is permitted. Any lab that handles...

Resources and Guides

Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

A JSA describes job tasks in step-by-step fashion, identifies associated hazards at each step, and outlines proper hazard controls that minimize the risk of injury or illness to the individual(s) performing that task.

JSAs Listed by Topic: Body Mechanics ...

Zoe Ladwig

Plans Examiner (Construction Inspector)
Fire Prevention
Construction Inspection
Building Plan Review

Clery Daily Fire Log

The UC Berkeley Fire Prevention Division maintains a fire log of all fire incidents in on-campus UC residential buildings that are reported to the fire prevention division. The daily fire log is updated as events are reported. This log identifies the type, location, and time of each fire incident in on-campus residential buildings, reported to the UC Berkeley Fire Prevention Division. The most current 60 days of the daily fire log is available online.

Risk of Fire Notice: Recall of SMC Oscillating Fans

September 12, 2022
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

On Friday, September 9, 2022, Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) responded to a fire incident at 2000 Carleton Street resulting from a defect in a recalled “SMC” brand pedestal oscillating floor fans.

What happened?

On the morning of September 9th, a pedestal floor fan used in the mailroom of the facilities services building suddenly ignited itself, without an external catalyst, and started burning. Upon noticing the flames coming from the fan, an employee located a portable fire extinguisher and put the fire out. On scene investigation determined that...