We are currently in normal operations.
To proactively prepare for anticipated heat waves in the L.A. region and the impact this has on our campus cooling systems, UCLA has developed a three-staged curtailment plan for cooling operations in non-critical campus facilities and spaces.
Cooling curtailment during high heat and humidity is crucial for allowing the campus to maintain adequate cooling in its most critical facility areas, including hospital and patient care settings, research space, vivariums, general assignment classrooms and data centers.
The campus will progress through several cooling demand response stages, depending on the severity of the weather. The cooling demand response stages, from least to most impactful, are as follows:
- Stage 1: Fan systems that serve areas of buildings on the curtailment list will be reset from the existing temperature to 74 degrees, requiring the immediate closure of all exterior windows and doors.
- Stage 2: Fan systems that serve areas of buildings on the curtailment list will be set to a temperature of 81 degrees.
- In the event of Stages 1 and 2, students, staff and faculty should be prepared for these adjusted conditions, use fans if available and dress lightly.
Stage 3: All cooling to targeted building fan systems serving non-critical areas will be turned off, but normal ventilation will continue in these spaces. As a health precaution and in accordance with the California Code of Regulation for Indoor Heat Illness Prevention (PDF), community members in impacted building spaces will be directed to either temporarily relocate or shift to remote work or learning (as authorized by and in accordance with Academic Senate Guidelines for Remote Instruction) as interior temperatures would be expected to exceed 82 degrees.
For those employees who cannot temporarily relocate or shift to remote work or learning, onsite work may continue even if indoor temperatures exceed 82°F, provided that departments implement appropriate heat safety measures. These include allowing additional rest breaks, ensuring ready access to drinking water, and designating a cool down area maintained below 82°F. The area must be clearly identified with signage and communicated to staff. A nearby cooled space may be designated if the entire building lacks cooling. For more information on heat illness guidance, prevention strategies and reporting heat risks, visit the EH&S Heat Illness webpage.
Facilities Management will work with building coordinators to ensure building occupants are updated when the university initiates each stage of the cooling curtailment plan. Please note that in the event of a stage three occurrence, notifications and updates will be sent via BruinPost and posted to Bruins Safe Online (BSO) to inform the campus community.
Buildings currently included in the demand response program include:
| Acosta (non-critical areas only) | Anderson School | Boelter Hall | Broad Art Center |
| Bunche Hall | Campus Services Building I | CHS Dentistry | CHS Jules Stein Eye Institute |
| CHS Semel Institute | CHS South Tower Offices (non-critical areas only) | Cogeneration Plant | Dodd |
| East Melnitz Building | Engineering 5 | Engineering 6 | Franz Hall |
| Geffen Hall | Gonda AH4 serving offices (non-critical areas only) | Haines Hall | Hershey Hall (non-critical areas only) |
| Kaplan Hall | Knudsen (non-critical areas only) | Law Building | Life Sciences (non-critical areas only) |
| Macgowan Hall | Mathematical Sciences Building | Melnitz Hall | Morgan (non-critical areas only) |
| Murphy Hall (non-critical areas only) | Perloff Hall | Powell Library | Rolfe Hall |
| Strathmore Building | Student Activities Center | Terasaki AH7 and AH8 (non-critical areas only) | West Alumni Center |
| Wooden West | Young Lecture Halls (scheduled only when needed) | Young Research Library |
Please check this list regularly, as additional buildings are being assessed.
