Facilities Planning & Management
Excellence in facilities and services for our university community

Fire escape repair projects

Repair work on the west stairs and fire escape of Agricultural Hall began on May 12, 2025 and is now complete. Similar repairs on the north- and south-facing fire escapes near Lot 11 of Bascom Hall began on May 21, 2025. This work is part of a wider update to the fire escapes that will also make repairs, replace stair treads to provide safer footing, and repaint the escapes.

The first part of this project includes lead paint abatement, using multiple methods, including a liquid remover, manual scraping, and drills with wire brushes in enclosed spaces. No sandblasting will be needed to remove the paint. The project is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of Facilities Development (DFD) in partnership with the Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M). The project team includes an experienced, state-certified lead abatement subcontractor who will ensure that all applicable federal and state guidelines for the safe inspection, removal and disposal of lead are followed. They will adhere to protocols and checks to ensure that procedural standards are upheld.

10/15/2025 Update: The Bascom Hall project is currently delayed, pending delivery of new fire escape stair treads that are needed to complete the project. In the meantime, temporary landings are in place, and the escapes remain safe and usable. After the new treads arrive, crews will complete their installation. This work is not expected to impact building occupants aside from occasional elevated noise levels. Scheduling will be coordinated to avoid disruptions during exams. In the meantime, over the next weeks, the contractor plans to complete a small amount of priming and painting.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Project overview

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Why is this project happening now?

  • This project will replace stair treads to provide safer footing. Ensuring buildings have safe and reliable escape routes is critical for providing egress during fires and other emergencies. Properly maintained fire escapes and exit pathways provide a clear, accessible means of evacuation.

When is the work happening at Agricultural Hall?

This project has been completed.

When is the work happening at Bascom Hall?

  • The phases of work and approximate* timeline are identified as follows:
    • Phase I:  Abatement / Paint Removal, May 21 – June 12, 2025
    • Phase II: Tread Removal / Stair and Masonry Repairs,  June 9 – September 23, 2025
    • Phase III: Tread Replacement, Priming and Painting, August 11 – December 31, 2025

10/15/2025 Update: The project is currently delayed, pending delivery of new fire escape stair treads that are needed to complete the project. In the meantime, temporary landings are in place, and the escapes remain safe and usable. After the new treads arrive, crews will complete their installation. This work is not expected to impact building occupants aside from occasional elevated noise levels. Scheduling will be coordinated to avoid disruptions during exams. In the meantime, over the next weeks, the contractor plans to complete a small amount of priming and painting.

*Timelines are subject to change:

During phase I, only those rooms located closest to the work area will be affected.
More information on impacts for future phases will be shared closer to the start of the phase.

Project safety

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What steps is the campus taking to ensure safety during the lead paint removal process?

FP&M and the university are committed to protecting the health and safety of its staff, faculty, students, and visitors during this work. The safety and wellbeing of our campus community is our top priority. FP&M, in concert with the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of Facilities Development, will work with the contractors (including a state-certified lead abatement subcontractor) to see that  applicable federal and state guidance on the safe inspection, removal and disposal of lead are followed. When a building or its exterior is renovated or removed, FP&M staff adhere to a thorough set of protocols and checks to ensure that procedural standards are upheld, guaranteeing the safety of the building to workers and occupants.

The following precautions will be taken before the project begins and continue throughout the project:

  • Building managers are notified of the date, time and location of the work.
  • Signage that reminds occupants to remain outside the work zone is placed.
  • The fire escapes will remain open in case of emergency.

During the project:

  • Abatement work is performed  by a state-certified lead abatement contractor.
  • Nearby windows may be covered.
  • Nearby building air intakes may be turned off and covered.
  • Waste bags are doubled, sealed, and checked.
  • A certified lead abatement inspector from UW-Madison EH&S  will be on-site daily to review work.

After abatement, the following checks will be made before signing off on the contractor’s work:

  • All materials are abated as needed.
  • All abated surfaces are cleaned with lead-safe practices or encapsulated as an extra form of containment. 
  • No material has leaked or been tracked out of the project area.
  • The project area for the contractors is clean.
  • All horizontal surfaces and pipes in the regulated area  are adequately cleaned.
  • The equipment used for the abatement has all been cleaned. 
  • The abatement area passes visual inspection.

Who should I contact if I have safety questions?

Please contact FP&M’s Environment, Health & Safety at  ehs@wisc.edu or call 608-265-5000.

Why do I see people in masks and suits?

Abatement workers wear safety glasses, masks and suits as personal protective equipment because they work inside the abatement area, in close proximity to the stripping solution and the lead paint being removed, often for extended periods of time. This level of protection isn’t needed outside the abatement area.

Logistics

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Will these buildings be accessible during the project?

The buildings will be accessible through doors outside of the project area.

Can I open a window or turn on AC units in a building being worked on?

Windows in the project work area should remain closed and AC units should remain off, in specified areas during phase one.

For Bascom Hall, these areas are indicated in red on the maps below, on the first basement level, first, second and third floors.

Map of rooms with light blue and red boxes and detailed labeling or room numbers. Text reads: First Basement Level - Indicated rooms to keep windows closed in Phase One
First Basement Level
Map of rooms with light blue and red boxes and detailed labeling or room numbers. Text reads: First Floor - Indicated rooms to keep windows closed in Phase One
First Floor
Map of rooms with light blue and red boxes and detailed labeling or room numbers. Text reads: Second Floor. Indicated rooms to keep windows closed in Phase One
Second Floor
Map of rooms with light blue and red boxes and detailed labeling or room numbers. Text reads: Third Floor. Indicated rooms to keep windows closed in Phase One
Third Floor

Windows outside of the project work area in Bascom Hall may remain open and most room AC units and building. 

HVAC will be operable throughout the project.

More specific guidance for using windows and AC units in potentially impacted spaces will be issued in advance of each phase.

7/10/25 Update: Please note that now that abatement/paint removal  is complete,  any uncovered windows/AC units may be opened/used, until the painting phase of the project begins. 

8/5/2025 Update: Odors from painting may enter the building through open windows or window air conditioning units that are close to the project area. If you received an email in May indicating your space is within the project work area, we ask that you keep your windows closed and window AC units off while the fire escapes are being painted to aid in this effort.

10/15/2025 Update: The project is currently delayed, pending delivery of new fire escape stair treads that are needed to complete the project. Unless notified otherwise, you can use windows and AC units as needed.

Can I open a window or turn on AC units in an adjacent building?

It is not anticipated that the impacted area will expand much beyond the loading dock or bay area of Bascom Hall, but the exact boundary is unknown. Signage is placed reminding individuals to remain outside the work zone.

More specific guidance for using windows and AC units in potentially impacted spaces will be issued to the impacted building occupants in advance of each phase.

What should I do if there is a fire/alarm in the building during this work?

Fire escapes will remain accessible in the case of emergencies. Alternate exit routes are also available.

Will it be noisy?

Generally, there  will be some noise from equipment, but it is not expected to exceed safe sustained levels (70 bBA), similar to the sound of a household vacuum. These noise levels will also be infrequent. There may be shorter duration periods of higher noise associated with some project tasks.

Is nearby landscaping work being done on trees near the project area, and how will these trees be impacted?

FP&M Grounds crews will assist with trimming trees and shrubs impacting the project area. It is not expected that this work will have a negative impact on nearby trees or plants.

Can I still park in Lot 11?

It’s possible this work may impact several parking spaces next to the project zone. Transportation Services will communicate any impacts to parking permit holders.

More information about lead

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Is lead dangerous?

Exposure to lead can cause adverse health effects, but when managed properly, the risk it poses to people is minimal. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, lead-containing materials that are contained (aren’t damaged or disturbed) are not likely to pose a health risk. When materials containing lead have the potential to impact health through age, wear or remodeling projects, we schedule them for abatement projects like this one.

How might lead affect my health?

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, lead is toxic to humans and animals. It can damage the brain, causing cognitive damage, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and reduced IQ/attention span. Lead poisoning can also damage the body’s cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, musculoskeletal and reproductive systems.

Why was lead used in paint, pipes and other materials?

Lead was used in paint because of its moisture resistance, durability, quick drying time and enhanced color pigmentation. It was used in plumbing because it is malleable, corrosion resistant and durable. These traits also made the material useful for roofing, ammunition, fishing weights, stained glass leading, cable sheathing and some batteries. Lead was also added to gasoline to improve engine performance. Despite these advantages, the harmful nature of lead led to significant health concerns, resulting in its phased-out use, or ban, in many applications.

When was lead banned from paint, plumbing and gasoline?

Lead-based paint was banned in 1978. The phase-out of leaded gasoline began in the 1970s and was completed by 1996. The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986 banned the use of lead in public water systems and plumbing.

Where can I find more information about lead?