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Office of Environmental Health & Safety

Graham Health Center
408 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-4196
Fax: (248) 370-4376

Office of Environmental Health & Safety

Graham Health Center
408 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-4196
Fax: (248) 370-4376

Fire and Life Safety

The Office of Fire Safety, is responsible for the operation, inspection and testing and maintenance of campus fire detection, suppression and notification systems. Our staff can provide consultation in matters related to fire code interpretation, construction hot work and construction/renovation-related fire system issues. In addition, we provide oversight and support in the areas of event fire safety, bonfire permits, fire-safety building inspections, fire extinguisher and other life safety training.

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety in conjunction with the Oakland University Police Department acts as a liaison between local municipal fire departments, the State of Michigan Bureau of Fire Services and the University community.  We facilitate regular interaction with these groups, to discus fire and life safety matters, as well as develop and conduct training programs and emergency response exercises.

Oakland University is geographically located in both the City of Rochester Hills and the City of Auburn Hills.  Under the provisions of a mutual aid agreement, both the Auburn Hills Fire Department and the Rochester Hills Fire Department provide emergency fire, rescue and medical services to Oakland University.

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In The Event of a Fire
  • Activate the building fire alarm.
  • Exit the building.
  • Notify the OUPD Dispatch by dialing 911 from a campus phone or (248) 370-3331 from a cell phone.
  • Maintain a safe distance of at least 100' from an evacuated building to allow emergency response personnel to enter the building quickly and safely.
Fire Equipment

Extinguishers

Extinguishers are bar-coded and tracked through a maintenance/inspection and testing database program and are inspected regularly. There are several types of extinguishing equipment located on campus, these include: A-B-C, A-B, CO2, H2O and K-class (kitchens). If you notice a missing extinguisher or an extinguisher with a missing tag or pin or showing any sign of damage or discharge, notify EH&S immediately at (248) 370-4196 or via e-mail.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are hard wired and report directly to the Campus Fire Alarm Reporting System (CFAR) at the OUPD Dispatch. Smoke detectors should not be removed, covered, obstructed or tampered with in any way. Report any signs of damaged or defective smoke detectors immediately by contacting EH&S at (248) 370-4196 or via e-mail.

Sprinklers

Sprinklers are heat activated and distribute water to cool and extinguish a fire. The majority of sprinkler heads in use on campus are designed to activate at temperatures of 135-155 F but can be damaged and possibly discharge if they are struck due to horseplay or careless work practices. Do not hang objects from, cover, strike or obstruct a sprinkler head.

Report any leaking sprinkler system equipment:

  • Business Hours (M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m.): Work Control Center at (248) 370-2381
  • After Hours: OUPD Dispatch at (248) 370-3331
Hazardous Materials Emergency

Security and Inventory

Hazardous Materials theft or tampering (confirmed or suspected) should be reported to the OUPD: 3331 from a campus phone or (248) 370-3331 from cell phones.

Hazardous Material Spills

In the event of any spill or release of a hazardous material:

  • Evacuate the room/immediate area where the material was released, close door(s) upon exit if possible, and solicit the assistance of others to keep unauthorized personnel at least 25 feet from the room/area.
  • Call OUPD: 933 from campus phone or (248) 370-3331.

Be prepared to provide the police dispatcher with the following information if/when it is available without re-entering the immediate area (i.e. within 25 feet of the release).

  1. Location of the release (be as specific as possible).
  2. Description of any injuries, illnesses or negative health symptoms resulting from the release.
  3. Approximate amount of the release.
  4. If the release is due to a leak: (1) whether the material continues to “flow”; (2) if so, at what “rate” (e.g. dribbling, streaming, gushing); and (3) approximate size of container from which the material is leaking.
  5. Identity of material spilled (if known).
  6. If the material is known to be flammable or ignitable, whether any open flames or other significant ignition sources exist.
  7. Physical characteristics of the release (e.g., color, odor, liquid/solid/gas), particularly for the release of “unknown” materials.
  8. Whether the release of a liquid has been “contained” (to prevent its spread) and whether it entered a sewer or drain.
    • Reporting personnel should remain on the scene to answer any further questions by OUPD.

Hazardous Material Fires

At the first indication of a fire, make sure fire alarms are activated and evacuate the area. Any further access to the area should be restricted.

  • Call OUPD: 911 from campus phones or (248) 370-3331 from cell phones.
  • Do not re-enter the area until authorized by OUPD.
Other Important Resources
  • Hazardous Materials - from the OUPD Emergency Management Guide (Tab 7 - Orange)
  • Fire Extinguisher Training classes are offered regularly during the non-winter months or can be arranged by special request for groups of 10 or more. For more information contact the Office of Fire Safety.
  • Fire Equipment
  • The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires colleges and universities that maintain on-campus student housing facilities:
    • Maintain a log of all reported fires that occur in those on-campus student housing facilities
      • The fire log is available for inspection at the EHS Office, upon request, during normal business hours. Call 248-370-4196 or email [email protected] for more information.
      • The police activity log (including all fire log activity) is available on-line 24-hours/day - 7 days/week.
    • Publish an Annual Fire Safety Report
      • 2019 Fire Safety Report - (p. 41-51 of  2019 Security and Fire Safety Report):
      • 2020 Fire Safety Report - (p. 41-51 of 2020 Security and Fire Safety Report):
    • Submit fire statistics annually to the Department of Education