USC takes every precaution to prevent and mitigate the effects of fire on both the University Park and Health Sciences campuses.

Fire Safety Training

The Office of Fire Safety and Emergency Planning offers fire-safety training to all campus staff, including instruction in the use of fire extinguishers. Resident advisers in university-owned residence halls receive training every fall, and staff members and students who work in laboratories where flammable chemicals are used receive training several times a year.

Building Evacuation Drills

Fire evacuation drills are conducted periodically for all university-owned buildings, with a particular focus on residence halls, high-rise structures and health-care facilities, which are drilled every semester.

Building Emergency Response Teams

Building Emergency Response Teams in all 225 buildings owned by the university receive training in fire emergency procedures and evacuation protocols.

Safety Inspections

Annual safety inspections are conducted for all university-owned buildings to help identify and correct fire hazards.

Building Fire Protection Systems

All university-owned residential buildings are equipped with automatic fire alarm systems and sprinklers.

Prohibition of Fire Hazards

USC enforces the following fire-prevention rules for all university-owned buildings:

• Open flames, such as candles and incense, are not allowed.
• Smoking is not permitted.
• Halogen lamps are not allowed.
• Electrical circuits may not be overloaded with too many appliances or other pieces of equipment.
• Tampering with or disabling fire safety equipment, such as smoke detectors, is prohibited.
• Residents of university residence halls equipped with kitchens are required to monitor all stovetop cooking.