Regulations - Fire and General Safety
Fire Safety System
Each single study room/studio/flat and all communal areas are equipped with smoke detectors. These provide good safety cover, but also require a sensible approach from all residents in order to avoid false alarms. Smoking in the room, aerosols, steam, talcum powder, etc, are all things that can set off a full scale fire alert and cause the Hall to be evacuated unnecessarily. Residents who do accidentally cause such alarms may be fined for the inconvenience they cause to everyone. Repeat offenders may be asked to leave Hall.
Personal Responsibility
Residents should be alert to fire hazards at all times. Flammable liquids must be kept away from heat sources and aerosol cans away from direct heat or sunlight. Linen, towels and other fabrics must be kept away from all electrical appliances. Candles, incense burners and oil lamps of all kinds are strictly banned in Hall.
All residents must acquaint themselves with the location of their nearest fire exits and extinguishers. Fire doors must never be propped open and exits and corridors must always be free of obstruction. Access to fire extinguishers must not be inhibited.
Residents are asked to assist with all aspects of safety in the Hall by reporting any matters of concern to the Bursar’s Office or to the night-time Duty Officer.
Fire Procedure
This is detailed on every resident’s handbook and on the notice in each room. It is also outlined below.
IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE
ON HEARING THE ALARM
Residents must acquaint themselves with the procedure and be prepared to act accordingly. Whenever the fire alarm sounds, residents must leave the building immediately by the nearest exit. This includes leaving your meal and evacuating the restaurant. Lifts must not be used. During fire emergencies, staff or Senior Members may issue instructions to facilitate the safe and speedy evacuation of the Hall; these must be followed by all residents.
Fire Drills
These will be held during the year. As in all evacuations, residents should leave as quickly as possible by the nearest exit. If the response is not deemed speedy enough, further fire drills will follow within a few days.
Sounder Tests
The fire system will be tested each Monday at 1:00 pm and the sounders will go off twice for a short time. There is no need to evacuate at this time unless the sounders continue for more than 20 seconds.
Deliberate Tampering with Fire Safety Equipment
Anyone who deliberately causes a fire alert or who tampers with any fire safety equipment in any way whatsoever, including the covering of fire sensors, can expect to be expelled from Hall without delay. As in all matters, residents will also be held responsible for the actions of their guests in Hall. Tampering with fire safety equipment is also a criminal offence and in serious cases the matter may also be passed to the police.
Electrical Equipment
Residents may bring low wattage electrical items into their rooms provided they have been manufactured for use in the United Kingdom and not modified in any way. If Hall staff sees unsafe items in rooms, they may confiscate them without warning. Acceptable, low wattage items include computers, hi-fi and electrical shavers. High wattage items are not allowed. Electric kettles or any types of heating/cooking appliances are not allowed unless provided by the hall. Adapters and extension cables are not permitted.
Residents are asked to turn off lights, heaters and all other electrical appliances when not required in their rooms or common areas.
Electrical Appliance Testing
Each year, Hall maintenance contractors must inspect all Hall owned electrical equipment. Residents will be notified of the date for their flat in advance.
Each single study room/studio/flat and all communal areas are equipped with smoke detectors. These provide good safety cover, but also require a sensible approach from all residents in order to avoid false alarms. Smoking in the room, aerosols, steam, talcum powder, etc, are all things that can set off a full scale fire alert and cause the Hall to be evacuated unnecessarily. Residents who do accidentally cause such alarms may be fined for the inconvenience they cause to everyone. Repeat offenders may be asked to leave Hall.
Personal Responsibility
Residents should be alert to fire hazards at all times. Flammable liquids must be kept away from heat sources and aerosol cans away from direct heat or sunlight. Linen, towels and other fabrics must be kept away from all electrical appliances. Candles, incense burners and oil lamps of all kinds are strictly banned in Hall.
All residents must acquaint themselves with the location of their nearest fire exits and extinguishers. Fire doors must never be propped open and exits and corridors must always be free of obstruction. Access to fire extinguishers must not be inhibited.
Residents are asked to assist with all aspects of safety in the Hall by reporting any matters of concern to the Bursar’s Office or to the night-time Duty Officer.
Fire Procedure
This is detailed on every resident’s handbook and on the notice in each room. It is also outlined below.
IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE
- RAISE THE ALARM BY BREAKING ONE OF THE NEARBY GLASS CALL POINTS ON CORRIDORS OR STAIRWAYS
- ALL THE FIRE BRIGADE BY DIALLING 999 ON ANY PHONE IN THE BUILDING (no cash or card required on payphones)
- ALERT RECEPTION
- TACKLE A SMALL FIRE WITH THE NEAREST APPROPRIATE EXTINGUISHER OR FIRE BLANKET, IF YOU CAN DO SO WITHOUT ANY PERSONAL RISK
ON HEARING THE ALARM
- CLOSE ALL WINDOWS
- LEAVE THE BUILDING BY THE NEAREST SAFE EXIT. DO NOT USE THE LIFTS.
- CLOSE, BUT DO NOT LOCK, ALL DOORS BEHIND YOU
- DO NOT STOP TO COLLECT ANY PERSONAL BELONGINGS
- PROCEED TO THE ASSEMBLY POINT (BY BRUNSWICK SQUARE, OPPOSITE THE NORTH WING)
- REMAIN AT THE ASSEMBLY POINT UNTIL GIVEN THE ALL-CLEAR BY THE FIRE OFFICER IN CHARGE
Residents must acquaint themselves with the procedure and be prepared to act accordingly. Whenever the fire alarm sounds, residents must leave the building immediately by the nearest exit. This includes leaving your meal and evacuating the restaurant. Lifts must not be used. During fire emergencies, staff or Senior Members may issue instructions to facilitate the safe and speedy evacuation of the Hall; these must be followed by all residents.
Fire Drills
These will be held during the year. As in all evacuations, residents should leave as quickly as possible by the nearest exit. If the response is not deemed speedy enough, further fire drills will follow within a few days.
Sounder Tests
The fire system will be tested each Monday at 1:00 pm and the sounders will go off twice for a short time. There is no need to evacuate at this time unless the sounders continue for more than 20 seconds.
Deliberate Tampering with Fire Safety Equipment
Anyone who deliberately causes a fire alert or who tampers with any fire safety equipment in any way whatsoever, including the covering of fire sensors, can expect to be expelled from Hall without delay. As in all matters, residents will also be held responsible for the actions of their guests in Hall. Tampering with fire safety equipment is also a criminal offence and in serious cases the matter may also be passed to the police.
Electrical Equipment
Residents may bring low wattage electrical items into their rooms provided they have been manufactured for use in the United Kingdom and not modified in any way. If Hall staff sees unsafe items in rooms, they may confiscate them without warning. Acceptable, low wattage items include computers, hi-fi and electrical shavers. High wattage items are not allowed. Electric kettles or any types of heating/cooking appliances are not allowed unless provided by the hall. Adapters and extension cables are not permitted.
Residents are asked to turn off lights, heaters and all other electrical appliances when not required in their rooms or common areas.
Electrical Appliance Testing
Each year, Hall maintenance contractors must inspect all Hall owned electrical equipment. Residents will be notified of the date for their flat in advance.
