Fire safety
If there is a fire alarm
Leave the building You need to leave the building if you hear the alarm and gather away from the building on the grass area at the front if it is safe to do so.
Read the fire notices You will see fire notices throughout the building giving details on what to do if there is an alarm activation. Note that if there is a fire, students will need to call the Fire Service themselves (999) and Security to attend if there is a false alarm.
Alarm testing will be done regularly. We appreciate this can be annoying, but it's something we can't avoid.
Fire drill We will be running a drill at some point- if full evacuation doesn't happen within a satisfactory timeframe, we'll need to repeat.
If your escape route is blocked, close any doors you can and stay put
Smoke and fumes are very dangerous. If your exit is filled with dense smoke, it is safer to stay where you are with the door closed.
Open the window and stay near it. This will let fresh air in, and may help alert people to your location.
If you cannot phone the fire service yourself, shout for help.
Items
Don't use these items
Chip pans/ deep fryers
Candles
Burning or electric plug-in incense
Any smoking materials, including cigarettes and vaping
Incandescent fairy lights
Door wedges
Any damaged electrical equipment
Convector (warm air) heaters
Be careful with these items
Never leave hair straighteners unattended, or put them down on soft furnishings like carpet or bedding
Don't use kitchen appliances, like kettles, toasters or fridges, in bedrooms
Don't leave phone/ battery chargers unattended, and always make sure they are undamaged
Inspections
We will inspect the building for various things at least monthly. The main thing we need to speak to students about are contravetions of fire safety (see below). Under the Student Conduct Regulations we are expected to issue on-the-spot fines for breaches of fire safety- so please remember to take it seriously as we hate having to give fines (almost) as much as students hate receiving them.
Safety when cooking
The main cause of fires in student accommodation is unattended food left cooking. Never leave the cooker unattended, particularly when the grill and hob are in use.
Never prop open the kitchen fire door.
Switch on the extractor fan or open the windows to help clear steam or smoke.
Always remember to switch off the oven/hob once you have finished cooking.
Never cook after drinking of if you're very tired.
Summary of key fire risks
Candles, incense, etc are strictly prohibited. These are key causes of fire.
Smoking is one of the biggest fire risks and is not allowed inside, or within three meters, of the building.
Trip hazards in communal areas. This means corridors and stairwells in particular. Corridors need to be completely clear- even a pair of slippers should not be left in the corridor.
Never prop open fire doors Bedroom, flat and kitchen doors at Friar Court are considered fire doors. Kitchens have a magnet to hold them open which will release when the alarm sounds, so there really is no reason to prop them (make sure nothing is in the way of them closing if necessary).
Don't dry washing in the communal areas We appreciate there are areas of open space in corridors and around the stairwell almost begging you to put clothes airers in them, put please don't be tempted as they will contravene our fire management plan.
Don't tamper with fire equipment Fire blankets and extinguishers should not be messed with.
Unsafe electrical items Do not used damaged electrical items/ cables. More information below.
Closed fire doors contain the fire, preventing it spreading.
The video below shows how effective this is.
Electrical safety
Extension leads
Overloading extension leads is one of the most common causes of electrical fires. If you use an extension lead, the plug will have a rating measured in amps (usually 13 amps). If you plug in items that collectively exceed that rating, the extension will become overloaded and at risk of causing an electrical fire. To safely use extension leads, check the rating of each item plugged into it and make sure it does not exceed the maximum. Note that some things will draw more electric than others- for example a hair dryer or kettle draws far more than a TV.
This website has a socket overload calculator which demonstrates this concept visually. Please take a minute to check it out: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/overloading-sockets/
Safe equipment
If you have any electrical equipment that looks unsafe or damaged, make sure you don't use it- it is not worth the risk. Certainly don't attempt a DIY fix, such as covering a frayed cable with electrical tape.
Be careful where you leave things
Be careful about leaving things on your bed or carpets. This can block fans and overheat laptops, or phone chargers can get hot, igniting bedding. Hairdryers or heating tongs are especially dangerous and can melt carpets.
How to use a fire blanket
Fires involving cooking
Turn off the heat source if it is safe to do so (NEVER move a container with burning liquid)
Pull the tapes to release the fire blanket from its box (Fig. 1)
Hold the blanket in a shield position and if possible wrap the blanket around your hands for protection (Fig. 2)
Place the blanket gently over the pan/container to smother the fire
Leave the pan to cool completely – do not attempt to uncover until it is completely cool
If the fire is too big to tackle evacuate the building immediately and call the emergency services (999)
Personal clothing fires
Pull the tapes to release the blanket from its box (Fig. 1)
Hold the blanket in a shield position and if possible wrap the blanket around your hands for protection (Fig. 2)
Wrap the fire blanket around the person who is on fire to smother the flames
Excerpts from the Student Conduct Procedure
5. Misconduct
5.6 (e) Negligent behaviour that presents a risk to health and safety for any member of the University community.
(f) Misuse or interference with any equipment provided in the interests of health and safety
Fixed Penalties General
(a) Smoking in a building. It is against UK law to smoke inside any property.
(b) Interfering with health and safety equipment, fire doors or other breaches of health safety requirements, e.g. not adhering to safety guidelines related to covid-19.
A first offence will result in a fine of £50
A second offence will result in a fine of £100
A third offence will be treated as a major breach of the general regulations