A fire alarm evacuated the Schmitt Academic Center Wednesday around 12:30 p.m.The alarm – which went off during the classes – was likely caused by an automatic heat sensor on the second floor of SAC, said Public Safety Director Bob Wachowski. The heat sensors in SAC are triggered by a sudden increase in detected temperature, Wachowski said.

Students were evacuated outside to the Quad and onto the sidewalks on Belden and Kenmore.

The alarm only affected SAC since automatic fire doors are lowered when the fire alarm goes off, sealing off both Levan and O’Connell.

The Chicago Fire Department, which gets alerted when the fire alarm goes off, double-checked SAC and ensure the building was safe.

The heat sensor has since been reset and 1 p.m. classes were on schedule.