Fire alarm on a brick wall
Fire Safety

Fire Safety

Fire safety at Ohio University helps protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors by reducing fire risks and ensuring everyone knows how to respond in an emergency. Fire prevention, preparedness, and proper response are shared responsibilities across campus.

If You Discover 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 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 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.

Tents

Tents may be erected on campus for the purpose of providing shelter for private reunions or picnic activities, ground breakings, and similar special events and University functions with certain restrictions. Users of  tents will adhere to the state fire marshal and the Ohio Department of Commerce permitting requirements that may prevent an unsafe environment for any person(s) associated with tent usage at Ohio University’s Athens campus. The use of tents on university property requires that the applicant is in accordance with all procedures to assure compliance with state law and minimize risks associated with the use of these structures.

Approved Vendor for Tents/Canopies

The company that will be utilized for rentals on Ohio University’s Athens campus is Bedrock Party Rentals. Bedrock Party Rentals was awarded this opportunity through Ohio University’s RFP process. They shall be used when permit-required tents/canopies are requested. They provide all necessary permitting documentation that is required by the state, and any additional equipment requirements such as fire extinguishers and exit signs. Bedrock Party Rentals also submits the state required Ohio Utilities Protection Services (OUPS) ticket with the location that the tent is to be erected so that all utilities can be physically marked ahead of placement. No other permit-required tents from non-approved vendors will be permitted on Ohio University’s Athens campus.

State of Ohio Tent/Canopy Permitting Requirements

Permits are required for all enclosed tents over 200 square feet, and canopies (with open sides of at least 75%) over 400 square feet, per Ohio Building Code 3102.1 and Ohio Fire Code 2403.2.

Exceptions:

  • Tents that are used exclusively for recreational camping purposes.
  • Canopies open on all sides which comply with all the following:
  • Individual canopies with a maximum size of 700 square feet.
  • The aggregate area of multiple canopies placed side by side with a minimum clearance of less than 12 feet, not exceeding 700 square feet.
  • A minimum clearance of 12 feet from all other structures including buildings and vehicles.

Safety Requirements for Recreational or Ceremonial Fires

Recreational or ceremonial fire on university property must be approved by Emergency Management Fire Safety and the Facilities Management Grounds Services. Please contact the office of Emergency Management Fire Safety to request more information related to having a recreational or ceremonial fire at firesafety@ohio.edu.

Guidelines:

  • Request for recreational or ceremonial fire must be received five (5) days prior to event.
  • Athens City Fire Department must also approve the event.
  • Recreational or ceremonial fire maximum fuel area: 3’ diameter, maximum 2’ in height and must be contained within an approved fire container (not provided by Ohio University). 
  • A water hose will be available, if possible. If a hose is not available, one of the following must be provided: (1) A 4A or larger dry chemical extinguisher, (2) Two 2A rated water extinguishers, or (3) Other APPROVED fire extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck available for immediate utilization on site.*
  • Unless the fire is prepared immediately before lighting, it must be guarded to prevent premature ignition by others at all times.
  • The sponsoring organization will be responsible for the lighting, monitoring, extinguishing and clean-up of the fire site.
  • Flammable liquids shall not be used to ignite the fire (such as gasoline, etc.).
  • The total fuel area 3 ft. diameter or less and 2 ft. or less in height for recreational or ceremonial fire, minimum 25’ from any structure or combustible material. Combustible materials shall be removed prior to ignition. For more information on recreational campfires please visit OHIO EPA website.
  • The fire shall not exceed 3 hours burning time. The person responsible for the fire shall be responsible for notifying the Athens FireDepartment: 740-592-3301 prior to igniting the fire.
  • Fire materials must not contain treated wood**, plastics, rubber, hazardous, or smoke producing materials more toxic than that of clean seasoned firewood.

*A work order must be submitted to Facilities Management to check out a fire extinguisher.

**Wood that has been treated with any preservatives, such as but not limited to, creosote, pentachlorophenol, etc.