Article - Fire safety in halls of residence

This article provides information regarding fire safety in halls of residence.

On the fire alarm sounding:

• Vacate your hall of residence immediately but do not run.
• If you are in your room, close the door when you leave.
• Knock on your fellow students' doors to alert them as you vacate the building (but do not delay your evacuation).
• Do not use lifts at any time while the fire alarms sound.
• Gather at the appropriate Fire Assembly Point (see Fire Notice on the back of your bedroom door).
• All students should remain at the Fire Assembly Point until the Fire Brigade or University Security has given the all clear.
• Failure to comply, including but not restricted to non-evacuation or late evacuation, may result in required attendance at the University Remedial Fire Safety Workshop and an invoice for the attendance fee.

On discovering a fire:

• If the fire alarm is not sounding, break the glass at the nearest alarm point.
• Knock on your fellow students' doors to alert them as you vacate the building (but do not delay your evacuation).
• Do not use lifts at any time while the fire alarms sound.
• Gather at the appropriate Fire Assembly Point (see FIRE NOTICE on the back of your bedroom door).
• All students should remain at the assembly point until the Fire Brigade or University Security has given the all clear.

Remember: Get out and stay out

Avoiding fire incidents:

The University Halls of Residence have clear guidelines to assist in fire prevention.

DO NOT:

• leave cooking, toasters or microwaves unattended: this is the cause of nearly all fires in halls
• use a deep fat fryer: they are prohibited in halls
• use portable heaters
• rest hot tongs or irons on the carpets
• use candles, jossticks, oil burners or incense
• obstruct exits, staircases and corridors
• wedge open fire doors
• cover smoke/heat detectors
• wrongfully discharge fire extinguishers
• remain in your accommodation during a fire alarm

You agree that deliberate or negligent behaviour resulting in a fire or activation of the fire alarms is a breach of contract. Action will be taken against those found responsible, which will result in required attendance at the University Remedial Fire Safety Workshop and may result in a consideration of major misconduct under disciplinary procedures, plus full replacement costs to the University. In addition to University disciplinary proceedings, criminal acts will normally result in information being passed to the police for criminal proceedings and could include a fine of up to £2,000.