Power Outages

In the event of a major utility failure, notify Facilities Services at 642-1032 during working hours, or on weekends and holidays notify the University Police at 642-6760. Building Managers, Building Coordinators and campus officials may call the PP-CS Utility Hotline at 1-800-979-9995 to receive the most up-to-date status report from the engineering and utilities staff responding to the outage. The public is asked NOT to use this number, so that essential providers may get through.

Evacuate the building if the fire alarm sounds and/or upon notification by the police (see General Evacuation Procedures).

A major power outage may not in itself be destructive, but a possible resulting panic or fire could endanger life and property. Panic can be partially avoided by an immediate decision on the need to cancel classes or meetings in progress or to evacuate the building (see General Evacuation Procedures).

In laboratory buildings, fume hoods do not operate during a power outage and most laboratories should not be used until the ventilation is properly restored (For more information, refer to the EH&S Fact Sheet, "Power Failure PDF")