Fire safety at the University is regulated by the Seattle Fire Code as well as the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA). Enforcement of these codes and standards are handled by local fire departments and the Department of Labor & Industries. EH&S helps assure compliance with these codes, protect and promote the public safety of faculty, staff, students, visitors and emergency personnel on campus.
Nuisance alarms are disruptive to the teaching and research mission of the University and contribute to a dangerous complacency in occupants, who may be slower to evacuate in an actual emergency. Contractors and construction managers can help prevent nuisance alarms by taking measures prior to and during construction.
The Preventing Nuisance Alarms General Focus Sheet helps building coordinators deal with prevention of nuisance alarms in office, residential and teaching environments.
The Corridor Safety Focus Sheet covers requirements for pathways in University buildings used for egress.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a clear, colorless and tasteless gas. It can be toxic or even lethal at high concentrations. Follow these the tips in the Carbon Monoxide Focus Sheet when selecting and installing a CO detector.
Poor housekeeping is a contributing factor associated with accidents and fires in labs. Follow the best practices in the Laboratory Housekeeping Focus Sheet for safety.
The Local Fire Department Contact Information list covers local fire departments, as well as the fire authority responsible for enforcing codes for many UW facilities. In some areas, the fire department that responds to emergency calls may not be the same entity that enforces code requirements.
Updated February 7, 2025
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) offers resources to help the campus community prepare for various types of emergencies that may arise.
Additional information about responding to emergencies and conducting evacuation drills is available on the Building Evacuation and Fire Drills page.
