#  Fire Safety 

 



##  Fire Safety 

 

 

       ![Three fire extinguishers.](/sites/g/files/omnuum641/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-06/AdobeStock_419095619.jpeg?itok=QzkiF1D2) 

 

 



 

 



 

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## Summary

How to follow fire safety requirements and manage permits.

## Who is this for?

All students, faculty, and staff.



 

##  ⚠ If you discover a fire or smoke 

If you discover a fire or smoke in a building, follow the R.A.C.E. acronym:

1. **Relocate:** If you can safely do so, relocate people in immediate danger. Be aware of people who may need help evacuating.
2. **Alarm:** Pull the building fire alarm to alert others as you exit. Move to a safe location. Call 911 immediately and then [call the Operations Center](/report-accident-or-emergency#harvard-emergency-contacts "Report an Accident or Emergency") to report the exact location of the fire.
3. **Confine:** If you can safely do so, close all doors to confine the fire as you exit.
4. **Evacuate:** Do not use elevators when evacuating.



 

##  Fire permits 

 



You must receive a permit before you:

- Maintain, store, or handle materials, install equipment, or perform work that creates hazardous conditions for life or property.
- Perform any [cutting, welding, or hot work activities](/resource/cutting-welding-and-hot-work "Cutting, Welding, and Hot Work").



 

 

##  Fire safety systems and equipment 

 



Keep automatic fire detection, extinguishing, and suppression systems fully operational.

Regularly maintain and test these systems to ensure safety and effectiveness.



 

 

 

 

##  Fire safety at Harvard 

Everyone is responsible for fire safety and prevention. Preventing fires requires vigilance and care. Understanding and following everyday fire safety and prevention measures is critical for keeping Harvard safe.

Building and operations management must meet fire permit and compliance requirements. Local fire departments issue permits and conduct inspections.

 

 



 local\_fire\_department 

 [### Cutting, Welding, and Hot Work

 ](/resource/cutting-welding-and-hot-work) 

 

 school 

 [### Dorm and Residential Fire Safety

 ](/resource/dorm-and-residential-fire-safety) 

 

 stairs 

 [### Emergency and Fire Evacuation

 ](/emergency-and-fire-evacuation) 

 

 event 

 [### Event Safety

 ](/resource/event-safety) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Related resources 

Find documents and online tools for fire safety.

 

 



  [### Construction EHS Exhibit: Fire Prevention and Protection

 ](/resource/construction-ehs-exhibit-fire-prevention-and-protection)Construction fire prevention and protection requirements, including egress and hot work



 

 

   [### Construction Fire Prevention and Protection Plan Form

 ](/resource/construction-fire-prevention-and-protection-plan-form)Form to document a fire prevention and protection plan for a construction project



 

 

   [### Flammable Liquid 70% Ethanol Labels

 ](/resource/flammable-liquid-70-ethanol-labels)Printable labels for flammable liquid (70% ethanol)



 

 

   [### Flammable Material Storage Sign

 ](/resource/flammable-material-storage-sign)Printable flammable material storage sign



 

 

   [### Higher Education Act Annual Fire Safety Report

 ](/resource/higher-education-act-annual-fire-safety-report)Higher Education Act annual fire safety report for Harvard



 

 

   [### Higher Education Act Fire Log

 ](/resource/higher-education-act-fire-log)Higher Education Act fire log for Harvard on-campus residential housing buildings



 

 

   [### Chemical Inventory and Door Placard System

 ](/resource/chemical-inventory-and-door-placard-system)LabCup and LabPoint chemical inventory and door placard management systems



 

 

   [### LabPoint User Guide

 ](/resource/labpoint-user-guide)User guide for lab door placarding and inventory management system



 

 

   [### Toolbox Talks

 ](/resource/toolbox-talks)Informal discussion guides about occupational safety topics



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 [ All fire safety resources arrow\_circle\_right ](/all-fire-safety-resources) 

 

 

 

 

##  EHS support 

[Contact EHS](/contact-us "Contact Us") for more information about fire safety, including:

- Barbeques and grills.
- Carbon monoxide detectors in residential buildings.
- Christmas trees.
- Commercial cooking exhaust duct inspections.
- Corridors, hallways, and means of egress.
- Fire control areas, fire doors, fire extinguishers, and sprinklers.
- Flammable and combustible materials, including flammable storage permits and licenses.
- Flammable liquids, including refrigerating and freezing flammable liquids.
- Hydrogen gas and oxygen storage.
- Life safety inspections.
- Soldering.

Contact [lab\_safety@harvard.edu](mailto:lab_safety@harvard.edu) or your [Lab Safety Advisor (LSA)](/resource/ehs-safety-officers "EHS Safety Officers") for more information about fire safety in labs.



 

 



 

 See also:- [ All Students, Faculty, and Staff ](/audience/all-students-faculty-and-staff)
- [ Building and Operations Managers ](/audience/building-and-operations-managers)
- [ Labs and Research ](/audience/labs-and-research)
- [ Building and Operations Management ](/topic-areas/building-and-operations-management)
- [ Emergency and Fire Safety ](/topic-areas/emergency-and-fire-safety)
- [ Fire Safety ](/topic-areas/fire-safety)
- [ Labs ](/topic-areas/labs)