Faculty and Staff

Indoor Environment Concerns: How to Get Assistance

Last updated August 25, 2009 1:18:52 PM PDT
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Indoor environment concerns include odors, air temperature and ventilation problems, floods, leaks, sewage backups, mold, and other general safety issues. Find out who to contact for assistance with common building-related concerns.

Report persistant, alarming, or illness-inducing odors immediately to the appropriate contact below. On weekends, holidays, and outside of 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. weekdays, contact the Campus Police, (858) 534-4357.

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Odors

You may be able to resolve the odor concern yourself. Read What's That Smell? to learn about common odor sources and what you can do about them.

  • Burning smell:
    • Cigarettes and other tobacco products: See PPM 270-7, UCSD's Smoke Free Policy.
    • Burning plastic smell confined to a single area: This may be a failing light ballast. Check to make sure nothing else is burning (computer monitors as well as other equipment may fail and smoke). Turn off power to any equipment that is failing.
      • Campus and SIO: Call Facilities Management Service Referral Desk, (858) 534-2930
      • Student housing: Call Housing Maintenance, (858) 534-2600
      • UCSD Medical Center:
        • Burning smells: Call the Medical Center Safety Office, (619) 543-7575
        • Electrical problems or ballast evaluation/ replacement:
          • Hillcrest: Call the Facilities Engineering Help Desk, (619) 543-6454
          • Thornton Hospital: Call the Facilities Engineering Help Desk, (858) 657-6400
  • Natural gas or sewage:
    • Campus and SIO: Contact Facilities Management Service Referral Desk, (858) 534-2930
    • Student housing: Call Housing Maintenance, (858) 534-2600
    • UCSD Medical Center:
      • Hillcrest: Call the Facilities Engineering Help Desk, (619) 543-6454
      • Thornton Hospital: Call the Facilities Engineering Help Desk, (858) 657-6400
  • Chemicals in research buildings:
    • Call Environment, Health & Safety, (858) 534-3660 weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Call Campus Police, (858) 534-4357 weekends, holidays, and outside of 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. weekdays
  • Construction work and renovation odors:
    • New building or major renovation: Call Facilities Design & Construction, (858) 534-2177
    • Minor renovation on campus: Call Facilities Management, (858) 534-2930
  • Dead animal:
    • Call EH&S Pest Management, (858) 534-4534 weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Call Campus Police, (858) 534-4357 weekends, holidays, and outside of 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. weekdays
  • Unidentified odors and odors affecting health:
    • Call Environment, Health & Safety, (858) 534-3660
    • Medical Center Safety Office, (619) 543-7575
    • Call Campus Police, (858) 534-4357 weekends, holidays, and outside of 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. weekdays

Floods and sewage backups

See:

Building-related concerns

Building-related concerns include air temperature or ventilation problems, mold, and leaks.

  • Air temperature, ventilation, floods, mold, leaks, and sewage backup:
    • Campus and SIO: Contact Facilities Management Service Referral Desk, (858) 534-2930
    • Student housing: Call Housing Maintenance, (858) 534-2600
    • UCSD Medical Center:
      • Hillcrest: Call the Facilities Engineering Help Desk, (619) 543-6454
      • Thornton Hospital: Call the Facilities Engineering Help Desk, (858) 657-6400
  • Building-related issues affecting health:
    • Campus and SIO: Call Environment, Health & Safety, (858) 534-3660
    • UCSD Medical Center: Safety Office, (619) 543-7575
  • Housekeeping issues:

General safety

General building-related safety hazards include fire prevention, electrical hazards, trip hazards, and lighting issues.

  • Campus and SIO: Call Environment, Health & Safety, (858) 534-3660
  • Student housing: Call Housing Maintenance, (858) 534-2600
  • UCSD Medical Center: Call the Safety Office, (619) 543-7575
  • Read Fire Extinguisher Overview for more information about fire extinguishers at UCSD.

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For more information, contact Environment, Health & Safety, (858) 534-3660.