Fire Safety Inspection Information

The goal of a Fire Safety inspection is to minimize the implications for causalities, property loss, and environmental damage by educating those that occupy & maintain our facilities about the importance of maintaining compliance with fire codes and correcting hazards that could result in fire, endanger lives, or make it hazardous for people who work, learn and reside at BGSU.  

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for enforcing workplace safety and health by assuring regulations are followed to reduce injuries, illnesses, and deaths on the job.  These regulations require employers to deploy strategies to provide a safe workplace for all employees.  The Ohio Revised Code also establishes rules that address fire safety issues relating to structures, processes, and safeguards to reduce fire hazards from occupancy and/or operation. These rules are set forth in the Ohio Fire Code.  The Ohio Fire Code mandates that all structures and facilities in the State of Ohio be inspected regularly.  

Main Campus:  The Bowling Green Fire Chief is responsible for assuring that fire inspections are conducted in the City’s response jurisdiction, including the BGSU Campus.  Historically, the University has been permitted to conduct its own fire safety inspections, however, the Fire Department reserves the right to enter our facilities at any time to inspect or to enforce safety standards and require us to take action to correct hazards.   The Fire Chief reserves the right to access and review copies of the fire safety inspection reports at any time.

Firelands Campus:  The City of Huron Fire Chief is responsible for assuring that inspections are conducted at the Firelands Campus since the campus is in the City’s response jurisdiction.  Historically, the University has been permitted to conduct its own fire safety inspections, however, the Fire Department reserves the right to enter our facilities at any time to inspect or to enforce safety standards and require us to take action to correct hazards.   The Fire Chief reserves the right to access and review copies of the fire safety inspection reports at any time.

Off-site Locations:  Fire safety inspections are performed at off-site locations by the University and in conjunction with local fire authorities having jurisdiction in these areas.  

The Environmental Health & Safety Department works in coordination with Residence Life and Campus Operations to ensure for the comprehensive and timely inspection of all facilities. Residence Life is tasked with conducting multiple inspections per year on student occupied rooms & restrooms while the fire safety inspections performed by Environmental Health & Safety concentrate primarily on offices, common use areas and mechanical rooms.

It is not necessary to wait for a routine fire inspection to correct fire hazards in your area.  If you believe something is hazardous, please take action or address your concerns with Environmental Health & Safety at 419-372-2171 or by contacting the BGSU police (Main Campus: 419-372-2346; Firelands: 1-419-433-5560 (or) 1-800-322-4787) after hours if you feel the matter is urgent.