Accommodation Health and safety

You are not permitted to smoke anywhere within student residences - this includes e-cigs and vaping.

Designated smoking areas are provided and residents are asked to use these appropriately rather than door entrances, and also to extinguish and dispose of cigarettes in the cubicles provided.

Residents should ensure that all your personal electrical equipment (e.g. computers, hair dryers, toasters, etc.) have been tested and are electrically safe before bringing them into residences. These will be removed if they are suspected of being unsafe.

Please do not overload electrical sockets, and please ensure that all plugs are wired correctly and in good condition.

All electrical appliances must be used carefully, taking note of the electrical loading limits of the wiring and the danger of fire. On campus, only use appliances rated less than 2 amps.

The University regularly tests all electrical items supplied.

Electric heaters, irons, cooking appliances must in no circumstances be used in study bedrooms.

Make sure that trailing cables of table lights, radios, etc., do not constitute a hazard, and do not to attempt to repair any faulty appliance or remove special light fittings.

1. follow the advice given by ‘Campus Watch’ and similar initiatives
2. use window locks, restrictors, door chains, and peep-holes, where available
3. report any fault with the above security measures as soon as possible
4. if your residence is fitted with an intercom/door entry system and/or proximity card systems, please use these wisely, and do not allow access to people who are not known to you
5. always check the identity of all persons calling at your door
6. keep front doors locked at all times
7. lock your bedroom door and close your window when leaving your room (even for a few minutes)
8. draw your curtains at night
9. if you have a car, keep it locked and check that all windows are closed. Lock any items of value in the boot where they cannot be seen
10. if you have a bicycle, make sure that it is secured in a bicycle shelter/rack
11. exercise caution when walking off the beaten track, and at all times after dark (and keep to footpaths and well-lit areas where possible)
12. report stalking or harassment, or any suspicious activity
13. tell someone where you are going and when you will be back
14. carry your mobile phone with you at all time

SafeZone Provides is a Free APP that helps you feel safe on campus 24/7 by connecting you directly with our Security Services team if you need help, first aid or have an emergency.

You can check in when working alone or in high-risk areas, receive important notifications and get help quickly if you need it.

Visit for more information

Preventing fires is everyone’s responsibility and your co-operation is essential. Notices explaining what to do in the event of a fire are prominently displayed in your study bedroom and throughout the residences.

Fire exits and escape routes (i.e. landings and corridors in residences) must be kept clear at all times. Nothing must be stored or temporarily left in these areas. Please do not obstruct fire exits and escape routes. Please pay special attention to the following:

1. smoking is not permitted in any University buildings. Use designated smoking areas.
2. do not tamper with fire safety equipment
3. if a fire extinguisher is discharged for any reason, the occurrence must be reported to Residential Services as soon as possible
4. do not leave any electrical appliance unattended i.e. cooker, toaster, hair straighteners etc.
5. do not obstruct or prop open fire doors

Fire Alarms

You should familiarise yourself with the Fire Regulations for the location of your accommodation, and to participate in any fire drills which may be held. Also familiarise yourself with the location of fire exits, fire alarm systems and firefighting equipment.

No matter how many ‘false alarms’ have occurred in your residence, you must treat every alarm as an emergency. If you act as if it is a false alarm and fail to evacuate, or take longer than 3 minutes evacuating the building, you could lose your life.

Failure to observe this rule will result in disciplinary action: and an automatic £50 fine. Testing of the fire alarm systems is carried out periodically.

You also have a duty to report any instances of abuse of the fire safety equipment, this is in the interests of all residents who may rely on the equipment in an emergency.

Please follow these simple guidelines

1. keep kitchen doors and corridor doors closed when you are cooking. They are fitted with a self-closer for obvious reasons, and must never be wedged open or the self-closer disconnected
2. if available, use the extractor fan when cooking, or open a window
3. if your cooking does create a lot of steam or smoke, open a kitchen window but avoid opening the kitchen door until it has disappeared
4. if you do burn your food (e.g. toast) do not take it out of the kitchen whilst it is still smoking
5. if you have a bath or shower, avoid opening the bathroom door until the steam has disappeared
6. do not use aerosol sprays, incense sticks, or anything that will create dust near a detector

Kitchen Safety

Never leave a cooker or electrical appliance unattended when in use. In the case of a cooker fire please:

1. sound the fire alarm
2. turn off the ring or hob
3. carefully place the lid or a damp cloth or fire blanket on the pan
4. leave the kitchen and shut the door
5. never put water on an oil or fat fire
6. never try to carry or move a burning pan

In some accommodation the buildings are heated using gas.

If you suspect a gas leak then please bring to the attention of the Night Support Assistant (NSA), Resident  Assistant (RA), Residential Services staff or main security.

All gas appliances are annually inspected in compliance with statutory regulations.

Students can request a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate from the Residential Services office.

Legionella

As part of the Legionella management plan, Residential Services will access vacant rooms and flush through the water systems on a weekly basis.

As part of the plan student residents are required to instruct Residential Services when they will be absent from their accommodation for more than a seven-day period so that water systems within the room can be flushed.

You’re also required when you return to your accommodation after a seven-day period to flush water systems within your bedroom and/or apartment