Fire safety
If in doubt, get out and call the fire service on 999
What to do in a fire
Know your escape route
Make sure you've thought about how you would escape from any part of the property in advance. Studies in human behaviour have shown that they often don't make the most rational choices in an emergency, often opting for an escape route that is more familiar over one that is nearby.
If your room has a labelled escape window, make sure you keep it clear, that it opens properly and that you are physically able to use it if necessary. Let us know as soon as possible if you think there is an issue with this.
If an alarm goes sounds or you suspect a fire
Don't attempt to tackle a fire
Evacuate the building if it is safe.
If it is night, shout to wake everyone up.
Check doors with the back of your hand. If they are warm, do not open them as the fire is likely to be on the other side.
If there is smoke, crawl low to the ground where the air is cleaner.
Don’t go back inside
Call 999 for the fire service from outside the property.
Don’t stop or return for anything.
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.
Fire doors
Fire doors are extremely important for keeping you and your housemates safe from fire. They are designed to hold back fire and smoke from the rest of the property, giving you enough time to escape and for the rest of the property to hopefully be saved.
Never wedge open fire doors
We appreciate that self-closing doors can be a bit annoying, but it is essential that you do not wedge them open. Not only does it undermine their purpose and put you and your household at risk, it can often cause damage to the closers.
The University takes fire safety very seriously as a key consideration in our commitment to keeping our students safe and well. We don't like to do it, but we can and will take disciplinary action against student that puts themselves or others at risk by wedging doors open.
Tell us if there is a problem with your fire door
Your fire door should swing neatly shut when you let go of it. This is important as it needs to form a seal to prevent smoke from getting past it. If there is any problem with how your fire door closes, or it is damaged in any way, please let us know as soon as possible.
Closed fire doors contain the fire, preventing it spreading.
Keep escape routes clear
You may get used to stepping over shoes and around boxes during the day, but will you be so deft having been woken up at 3am to a dark, smoke filled house? And even if you are, what about the fire officers that have to attend to the fire?
The common areas in a student house (an HMO) are subject to some specific legislation, part of which is that they will usually be considered fire escapes that need to be kept clear of any obstructions. So not only is it important to keep common areas clear, it is our legal responsibility to ensure that they are. For this reason, we may need to take some firm action if we find escape routes blocked.
Please do not keep anything in escape routes. Shoes should not be piles by the front door, mail should be dealt with promptly and not allowed to build up, no bikes should be taken inside, no clothes dryers, trailing wires, or any other objects in the communal passageways.
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.
Keep distribution boards clear
The distribution board, also known as fuse board, fuse box or trip switches, has the potential to act as an ignition source. Fire, of course, needs fuel to burn, so make sure you do not leave any fuel sources around the distribution board. For example: if the distribution board is in an under stairs cupboard, don't fill it full of items like carboard boxes.
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
E-bikes or e-scooters
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
E-bikes and e-scooters
E-scooters are illegal
Please be aware that under no circumstances should you bring an e-scooter to University accommodation.
What is an e-scooter?
Electrical scooters (also known as e-scooters) come under the category of “powered transporters”; this covers a range of personal transport devices which are powered by a motor.
E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. Which means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence, insurance and tax.
It's not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters, which means it's illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces. Hired e-scooters are legal in Oxford, but obviously should not be taken into University buildings.
Despite being illegal, there have been over 300 serious fires associated with e-scooter in the UK so far this year, with 8 fatalities.
Fires occur rapidly and explosively, usually as a result of charging damages batteries.
What about e-bikes?
E-bikes are legal, but also have the potential to cause the same disastrous fires. Note that any kind of bike is not permitted in our accommodation and should be kept outside at all times.
A fire caused by an electric scooter battery failing in 2003
Don't cook intoxicated
Drinking alcohol and cooking is not a good recipe. If you have been drinking alcohol, are under the influence of drugs or are just really tired, please treat yourself to a take-away/ delivery rather than attempt to cook for yourself.
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