The leading cause of fire alarms in Texas Tech Residence Halls are smoking/vaping and unsupervised cooking. Cooking with unauthorized appliances, like hot plates and air fryers that produce smoke, are also a leading cause. You can do your part to prevent nuisance fire alarms by stopping unsafe cooking practices and smoking/vaping inside Residence Halls. 

While false fire alarms are frustrating and disruptive, they present a much bigger issue than mere inconvenience. When people begin to assume every alarm is false, it creates a dangerous sense of security and indifference, which can lead individuals to ignore or delay taking action. Fire alarms are designed to give occupants precious seconds to evacuate in an emergency. The one time someone chooses to stay behind, believing the alarm isn’t real, could be the time it actually is. This is exactly why we treat every alarm as if it’s real—because the cost of guessing wrong can be fatal.  

A constant beeping sound coming from the fire alarm panel typically indicates a "trouble" condition, meaning the system has detected something abnormal. This could be a device that has been tampered with, a detector that has been removed or is malfunctioning, wiring issues, or a loss of communication or power. The beeping is meant to alert building occupants or maintenance personnel that the system needs attention. It’s important not to ignore these alerts, as they can impact the system’s ability to function properly during an emergency. If your Fire Alarm Panel is beeping continuously feel free to contact our office or create a work order by calling TTU Operations at 806-742-4OPS.

Intentionally or maliciously activating a fire alarm when there is no emergency on campus is a crime and felony offense in the state of Texas. Pulling a fire alarm as a prank, tampering with fire safety equipment, or triggering an alarm system on purpose without cause can result in university disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution under state law.

However, things like burnt food, steam from a shower or dust from cleaning can unintentionally trigger a fire alarm. We encourage mindfulness in preventing false alarms but do understand incidents like those listed occasionally happen. When they truly are accidental, they are not grounds for disciplinary or legal action.

Despite inaccurate portrayals in TV and movies, most modern fire sprinkler systems are designed to operate individually. Each sprinkler head activates only when the heat in its immediate area reaches a specifictemperature. This is typically triggered by a small glass bulb that breaks or a metal link that melts when exposed to heat, releasing water directly over the fire source. This targeted response helps contain and control the fire while minimizing water damage to the rest of the building. While specialized systems that activate multiple sprinkler heads at once do exist, they are generally found only in high-hazard industrial settings.

No. The glass bulbs or metal links are sensitive and fragile; it's important never to touch, tamper withor hang anything from fire sprinkler heads. Doing so can accidentally activate the system and cause unnecessary water damage. 

Fire-rated doors are a critical part of a building's fire protection system. They are specifically designed to slow the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases, giving occupants more time to evacuate safely while protecting other parts of the building. When a fire door is propped open, it can no longer perform its intended function. This allows fire and smoke to spread quickly through hallways, stairwells and adjoining rooms, putting lives and property at risk. Additionally, propping fire doors open is a violation of fire code and can hinder first responders during an emergency. To maintain the safety of everyone in the building, always allow fire doors to close and latch as designed.  

A great tool we use when teaching people how to use a fire extinguisher is the acronym “P.A.S.S.”, which stands for, Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire. Here is a great video that explains the fire extinguisher use and the PASS method in greater detail.  

While most of our full-time staff and all of our part-time staff have extensive firefighting experience in traditional fire departments, TTUFMO is not a traditional fire department. Our key focus areas are fire prevention, life safety and code compliance across campus. We conduct inspections, ensure adherence to fire codes, investigate fire-related incidents, provide fire safety education and work closely with other emergency responders to maintain a safe environment for the university community. While we are trained in fire science, our mission is centered on preventing emergencies before they occur and investigating fires after they’ve been extinguished. 

Call 911 immediately! Notify other people in the building by shouting and pulling the fire alarm pull station on your way out, this will set off the fire alarm and alert other occupants of the danger. When first responders arrive, let them know you called and why you did. This can help speed up the response and get things back to normal faster. If you genuinely believe there is an emergency, you will not be penalized for calling 911. Your safety is the priority, and timely action is essential. If there has been a fire, it has been extinguished and our office has not yet responded to the scene, please contact our office so we may document and investigate the incident.

Common items including, but not limited to, candles, flame-lit incense, air fryers, hot plates, grills, e-scooters, e-bikes, e-skateboards and pyrotechnics of any kind are prohibited inside all Texas Tech buildings.

No, fireworks and other pyrotechnics—including sparklers and "cold" spark machines—are not allowed on campus.  

However, fireworks and pyrotechnic displays may be permitted only for Texas Tech University-sanctioned events, provided they are operated by a licensed and insured individual or company and a permit has been obtained through TTUFMO prior to the event(s). 

TTUFMO does not encourage the use of space heaters, but they are allowed in Texas Tech facilities under certain conditions. Any space heater used on campus must meet the following requirements: 

• Have a UL listing or equivalent safety certification 

• Be equipped with a tip-over safety switch 

• Preferably be infrared style 

Please note: 

• Older, ceramic-style heaters are prohibited 

• Oil-filled, kerosene, propane and other heaters using flammable or combustible fuels are prohibited 

Due to the wide variety of models and potential safety concerns, we ask that you contact our office before using a space heater in any facility. 

No, storing anything in exit corridors or stairwells is strictly prohibited and a violation of fire code. Corridors and stairwells are critical emergency exit routes and must always remain completely clear. Items stored in corridors or stairwells can obstruct exits during an emergency, placing occupants at risk. Additionally, stored materials can become fuel for a fire, allowing flames and smoke to spread more rapidly through the building. Because of their design, exit corridors and stairwells are meant to be protected pathways for safe evacuation—and any obstruction or fuel for a fire potentially compromises that protection. 

If you notice any fire safety equipment that appears damaged, missing, or not functioning properly—such as fire extinguishers, pull stations, sprinkler heads, exit signs, fire doors or smoke detectors—it’s important to immediately report it. Do not attempt to repair or move fire safety equipment yourself. These systems are critical for occupant safety, and even minor damage can compromise their effectiveness during an emergency. Prompt reporting ensures the issue is addressed quickly, the building remains in compliance with fire safety codes and the building systems can help keep people safe. If the issue is in a residence hall, you can submit a FixIt request here. If the issue is somewhere else on campus, you can contact (806)742-4OPS or our office to report the issue. 

Both cold spark machines and sparklers are considered pyrotechnic devices and fall under the same regulations as traditional fireworks- they are strictly prohibited on Texas Tech property unless the display is part of a TTU-sanctioned event, operated by a properly licensed and insured pyrotechnic professional, and conducted under a valid permit issued by the Texas Tech University Fire Marshal’s Office (TTUFMO). While cold spark machines and sparklers may appear safer, they contain substances that burn at extremely high temperatures and can easily ignite nearby materials and are therefore prohibited.