Hot

BruinADVISORY: EFFECTIVE Saturday, Oct. 3 – Building Cooling Restrictions Stage 1 Implementation

Campus cooling measures will be in place through at least Oct. 9 as the region prepares for prolonged extreme heat.

This BruinADVISORY is being issued on behalf of UCLA Facilities Management.

Dear Bruin Community:

To protect critical campus facilities during times of high heat and humidity, UCLA has established a three-stage cooling response plan for non-critical spaces.

In anticipation of a major, prolonged heat wave, UCLA will implement Stage 1 of the cooling curtailment plan beginning Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6 a.m., through at least Friday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.

The National Weather Service is forecasting significant heat across the Los Angeles region beginning Friday and expects to issue Extreme Heat Warnings for parts of Los Angeles County beginning Saturday.

Implementing Stage 1 proactively will help UCLA manage campus cooling demand and preserve chilled water capacity for critical facilities and operations as temperatures rise.

What to Expect During Stage 1

Under Stage 1, fan systems in impacted buildings serving non-critical areas will be reset from their existing temperature settings to 74°F. All exterior windows and doors in impacted areas must be closed immediately and remain closed to help maintain cooling efficiency.

Students, staff and faculty in these spaces should be prepared for the adjusted indoor conditions, use fans if available and dress lightly and appropriately for warmer temperatures.

Critical facility areas — including hospital and patient care settings, research spaces, vivariums, general assignment classrooms and data centers — will continue to receive priority cooling.

UCLA Facilities Management will closely monitor weather conditions and campus cooling capacity throughout the heat event. Stage 1 is expected to remain in effect through at least Friday, Oct. 9. The university will provide additional updates through Bruin Advisory if conditions require a change in the cooling response stage or when curtailment measures have ended.

Preventing Heat Illness

With cooling reduced in some spaces, indoor temperatures may be warmer than normal. UCLA Environment, Health & Safety maintains guidance on recognizing and responding to heat illness, including symptoms, first-response steps and the temperatures that trigger employer requirements.

• Review the guidance at EH&S: Heat Illness — Indoor or Outdoors
• Keep cool water within reach and take rest breaks in a cooled area as needed.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, including heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache, or hot, dry skin. Heat stroke is a medical emergency; call 911.
• If your indoor workspace exceeds 82°F, submit an IEQ Service Request or notify your supervisor.
• For questions about your department’s Heat Illness Plan, contact SafetyAndCompliance@ehs.ucla.edu or the EH&S Hotline at (310) 825-9797, Option 2.
  

For questions about UCLA’s cooling demand response plan, please contact Sean Wilder at SWilder@fm.ucla.edu.

Sincerely,

Kelly Schmader
Associate Vice Chancellor, Facilities Management