Skip to main content

Fire Safety

To safeguard all areas of the campus from potential fire hazards, it is important that everyone in the MIT community is adhering to the following Fire Prevention Guidelines:

  • Avoid the accumulation of combustible materials (paper, cardboard, plastic) in the work area — Recycle or discard unnecessary combustibles and store excess materials in a metal cabinet or storage closet
  • Store materials on high shelves at least 18 inches below the automatic sprinkler heads —This allows distribution of the sprinkler water to put out a fire
  • Maintain clear access to emergency equipment — Do not store items and equipment in front fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, sprinkler system controls, etc.
  • Do not block evacuation routes — Keep corridors, aisles and second exits clear of equipment materials, especially items that can burn easily, to facilitate evacuation
  • Keep exit stairway doors closed and do not store materials anywhere in stairways — This prevents smoke from entering the stairway, facilitates evacuation and prevents fires from starting inside the stairway
  • Avoid overloading electrical outlets and extension cords or multi-outlet strips
  • Maintain your own fire safety attitude and try to instill it in others — Don’t permit others to compromise your safety
  • Tape the terminals of 9V and lithium batteries to ensure a fire doesn’t start — Even when they are no longer useful, these battery types still maintain a charge and can easily start a fire upon contact with other batteries or metal objects such as aluminum foil, paper clips, coins, and keys

Codes and Regulations

Bolt Locks On Doors

The Building Code (specifically section 1008.1.8.4) prohibits the use of any type of bolt lock on a door that is used to exit. Anyone must be able to open the door with one motion in order to evacuate.

No one at MIT has the authority to allow locks to be installed that do not meet the Building Code. Requests for bolt locks emailed to safety@mit.edu, are reviewed by the Department of Facilities locksmiths with EHS to determine a solution that meets code and addresses the occupant’s concerns. If needed, MIT Police and the Office of Security Operations may help resolve any issues or concerns.

Commercial Cooking Regulations

If your department operates a commercial kitchen, please refer to the Cambridge Fire Commercial Cooking Regulations, which are slightly different than National Fire Protection Association 96 standards.

Fire Safety Equipment

Fire Blankets

Fire Extinguishers

To safeguard all areas of the campus from potential fire hazards, it is important that everyone in the MIT community is adhering to the following Fire Prevention Guidelines:

  • Avoid the accumulation of combustible materials (paper, cardboard, plastic) in the work area — Recycle or discard unnecessary combustibles and store excess materials in a metal cabinet or storage closet
  • Store materials on high shelves at least 18 inches below the automatic sprinkler heads —This allows distribution of the sprinkler water to put out a fire
  • Maintain clear access to emergency equipment — Do not store items and equipment in front fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, sprinkler system controls, etc.
  • Do not block evacuation routes — Keep corridors, aisles and second exits clear of equipment materials, especially items that can burn easily, to facilitate evacuation
  • Keep exit stairway doors closed and do not store materials anywhere in stairways — This prevents smoke from entering the stairway, facilitates evacuation and prevents fires from starting inside the stairway
  • Avoid overloading electrical outlets and extension cords or multi-outlet strips
  • Maintain your own fire safety attitude and try to instill it in others — Don’t permit others to compromise your safety
  • Tape the terminals of 9V and lithium batteries to ensure a fire doesn’t start — Even when they are no longer useful, these battery types still maintain a charge and can easily start a fire upon contact with other batteries or metal objects such as aluminum foil, paper clips, coins, and keys

Codes and Regulations

Bolt Locks On Doors

The Building Code (specifically section 1008.1.8.4) prohibits the use of any type of bolt lock on a door that is used to exit. Anyone must be able to open the door with one motion in order to evacuate.

No one at MIT has the authority to allow locks to be installed that do not meet the Building Code. Requests for bolt locks emailed to safety@mit.edu, are reviewed by the Department of Facilities locksmiths with EHS to determine a solution that meets code and addresses the occupant’s concerns. If needed, MIT Police and the Office of Security Operations may help resolve any issues or concerns.

Commercial Cooking Regulations

If your department operates a commercial kitchen, please refer to the Cambridge Fire Commercial Cooking Regulations, which are slightly different than National Fire Protection Association 96 standards.

Fire Safety Equipment

Fire Blankets

Fire Extinguishers