The University of Houston central campus has an external siren system in place to alert the campus community to take shelter in the event of an emergency. The university is dedicated to ensuring everyone knows what to do when they hear the sirens, so we have provided the information below to answer frequently asked siren questions.
What should I do during a system test?
You should continue your regular activities during a system test. You do not need to take any special actions during a test.
How can I tell the difference between a monthly test and an emergency?
Tests will be preceded by an email the morning of the test to the addresses you have registered with the University. This email will serve as a reminder that the test is taking place. An email will also be sent after the siren test to announce the completion of the test. A system test will never last longer than 30 seconds.
What should I do when I hear the sirens?
When you hear the sirens you should seek shelter immediately. Enter the nearest building and move into interior corridors away from windows. Close all doors to rooms with windows, and move to the lowest level of the building. Remain inside until the warning has expired or you receive the “all clear” notification.
If you hear a siren test, do not take any action.
What types of emergencies do the sirens indicate?
The sirens indicate emergencies that make it unsafe to be outdoors and require you to seek immediate shelter. The most likely cause of these unsafe outdoor conditions is severe weather, but other causes may include the unlikely occurrences of an environmental hazard or an armed individual on campus.
The sirens are only used for emergencies that impact or present a danger to the main campus. For example, the sirens will not be sounded for a tornado watch in Galveston County, but they will be sounded if there is a tornado on the ground that has the main campus in its forecast path.
Where can I hear the sirens?
The sirens can be heard to varying degrees in all exterior spaces of the UH central campus. The degree to which you will hear the sirens can be affected by weather and ambient noise. The siren system was designed for outdoor notification, and cannot be heard in the interior of most buildings. For this reason the siren is used in conjunction with other notification methods.
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