As a State of Georgia institution, The University of Georgia is under the jurisdiction of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Fire Safety, Life Safety and other related matters are regulated by State Law Title 25, Title 8, and regulation 120-3-3: Rules and Regulations for the State Minimum Fire Safety Standards. Regulation 120-3-3 adopts a variety of codes including the Life Safety Code, The International Fire Code, and the International Building Code, among others.
The UGA Office of Fire and Life Safety, Environmental Safety Division
The UGA Office of Fire and Life Safety is a department within the Risk & Resiliency Division of the University of Georgia. It is charged with providing assistance to the University community in all Fire and Life Safety related issues. The Office of Fire and Life Safety provides the following services:
- Inspection of University facilities for compliance with State of Georgia Fire and Life Safety laws, regulations and codes as noted above. All University Housing facilities are inspected a minimum of two times a year by certified and deputized Fire and Life Safety Inspectors (*See information below). Items routinely inspected in facilities include (but are not limited to) fire alarm systems, fire suppression sprinkler systems, emergency lighting, integrity of fire walls, fire dampers, exiting corridors and exit discharges. Fire extinguishers are inspected on a monthly basis and serviced annually by a licensed fire extinguisher contractor. Breakroom cooking ranges are protected by ventilation hood fire suppression systems which are inspected semi-annually by licensed hood suppression system contractors.
- Review, comment, and approval of building construction plans, for building renovations and new construction. Building renovation and new construction is reviewed for compliance with State of Georgia fire, life safety, and building codes. After plans have been submitted, reviewed, and approved, the Office of Fire and Life Safety will issue a Construction Permit. After the issuance of a Construction Permit, the Office of Fire and Life Safety will conduct inspections of the construction project until a final inspection is conducted upon completion of the building or renovation. At that time, a report will be issued approving occupancy.
- Fire safety awareness and fire extinguisher training is provided upon request to any University personnel, student, or organization. This training covers basic fire safety prevention information and fire extinguisher training including the types and appropriate use of fire extinguishers. The training also includes hands-on usage of fire extinguishers under the supervision of Office of Fire and Life Safety personnel.
- Assistance with pre-planning for fire emergency evacuation and fire drills is available to all University faculty, staff, students, and organizations upon request. University Housing conducts a minimum of two fire drills annually in all University
- Housing units. University Housing maintains record of fire drills internally. The Office of Fire and Life Safety assists the Office of Student Affairs and Greek Life with a minimum of two fire drills annual (fall and spring semesters). Upon completion of fire drills, The Office of Fire and Life Safety issues a report to each organization and Greek Life delineating the results of each drill including date, number of individuals participating, and the amount of time it took for each evacuation.
- Investigation of fires on all University properties to determine cause and point of origin. The Office of Fire and Life Safety works closely with the University of Georgia Police Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office Fire Investigation Unit when necessary. Fires are investigated to determine if they are accidental or if arson is suspected.
*Note: All UGA Fire Safety Inspectors are deputized by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and certified in the State of Georgia in the following areas:
- Conduct fire scene investigations, prepare and submit reports
- Review plans and specifications, issue construction permits, conduct fire safety inspections for 80%, 100% inspections, and issue Certificates of Occupancy for new construction
- Conduct fire safety inspections and issue Certificates of Occupancy for existing construction
- Conduct annual and follow-up inspections on existing buildings and structures.
The Office of Fire and Life Safety can be reached at 706-542-5801 or visit esd.uga.edu for additional information.
University Housing Policies
All residence halls and apartments are equipped with fire detection systems and alarms. This includes smoke detection devices in every room and in the exit hallways. Residence halls and University Village apartments are equipped with sprinkler systems, and alarms are directly linked to a continually attended monitoring service that is linked to the Athens-Clark County 911 Center and the University of Georgia Police Department.
All residential hall graduate and professional staff are trained in the appropriate operation of residential hall fire alarm systems and fire alarm panels.
All University Housing policies can be viewed in the University Housing Community Guide on the housing website at housing.uga.edu/community-guide. All housing policies are reviewed on a two-year cycle or sooner if the need arises. The institution has determined that their fire safety systems are adequate and no future improvements are currently planned.
The following policies relate directly to fire safety:
- Appliances and Electrical Devices
- Cooking Guidelines
- Decorations
- Door Closures and Exit Doors
- Fire Safety
- Fire Equipment
- Fire Hazards
- Fire Alarms
- Fire Drills
- Health and Safety
- Smoking
- Stairs, Hallways, Breezeways, Decks, and Patios
In accordance with University regulations, fire drills are conducted in each residential building once per semester. Residents should follow the same procedures for fire drills as they would with any fire alarm and exit the building in a timely manner. All drills will be advertised a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Failure to evacuate in a timely manner may result in referral to the student conduct process.
Fire Safety
Prevention is the best approach to fire safety. Report fire hazards to the UGA Office of Fire & Life Safety at 706-542-5801 or visit our website at https://esd.uga.edu. Know what to do in case of a fire:
- Know where fire alarms and portable extinguishers are located.
- Know what immediate hazards might cause a fire or become dangerous in a fire (e.g., blocked halls, chemical storage, propped-open smoke and stairway doors).
- Know who to call and keep the number near the telephone or on your mobile phone: 911 (from any phone on or off campus) and UGA Police (706-542-2200).
- Know where exits are located.
In the Event of a Fire
- Pull the fire alarm if one is available and start an orderly evacuation (even for small fires: a closed room can reach 1500 degrees within three minutes).
- From a safe location, call the fire department: 911 (any telephone on or off campus).
- From a safe location, call the UGA Police: 706-542-2200.
If you are trained in the use of portable fire extinguishers, and it is safe to do so, attempt to put out the fire. If the fire is too large for the use of a portable extinguisher, don’t try to extinguish it yourself. Evacuate the room and close the door.
Report to emergency personnel or your University Housing representative after you have evacuated. Members of the community can report previous fires to the UGA Office of Fire and Life Safety at 706-542-5801.
Residential Facilities
Fire Protection and General Information 2021 – 2024 (continued on next page)
Note: These houses were not occupied in calendar year 2025.
Note: These houses were not occupied in calendar year 2025.
Note 1: Smoke Detection means there are smoke detectors in every bedroom, hallway and common area. Smoke detectors in Kenny Road and McGowan Road apartments will all sound within an apartment but not from one apartment to another.
Note 2: Fire Alarm Systems are monitored 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year. Addressable fire alarm systems monitor each device in the system as a point address. That means each smoke detector, pull station, etc. has a separate address (location) that can be displayed on the main fire alarm panel.
Note 3: Hood suppression systems are fire extinguishment systems installed in the stove ventilation hood that will extinguish a fire and sound the general fire alarm when discharged. Note 4: Non-monitored systems
Note: HSC = Health Sciences Campus
Bomb Threats
Bomb threats often come by telephone. If you receive such a call, remain calm and elicit as much information as possible from the caller. Record the phone number or other caller identification of the caller, if possible. Ask the caller:
- When will the bomb explode?
- Where is it right now?
- What does it look like?
- What kind of bomb is it? What will cause it to explode?
- Why did you select this place for it?
- Did you place the bomb? Who did? Why?
- What is your address? Your name?
Call the UGA Police Department immediately at 706-542-2200 to give them the information, describing the caller’s voice, any background noises, and the exact wording of the message. Preserve any caller identification information recorded by the telephone. Notify an official of the building you are in. Don’t touch suspicious packages. Inform the authorities, and let the experts decide what to do.