4.3.1 Fire Safety
Fire is probably the biggest single danger in multiple-occupancy buildings. Failure to observe the College’s fire regulations and procedures can have potentially catastrophic consequences, for you and for many others.
On a personal level, this means that you should be aware of potential dangers and follow some basic guidelines:
- Familiarise yourself with escape routes and assembly points.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- Cooking in your room is strictly prohibited.
- The use of candles, joss sticks or other naked flames is also strictly prohibited. (Battery powered fairy lights only are permitted).
- Fire doors, especially in gyp rooms, should never be wedged open or obstructed, especially whilst cooking.
- It is a criminal offence to tamper with the fire detection and alarm systems, or with fire extinguishers.
- Keep flammable materials (clothes, books, papers etc.) away from heat sources such as plug sockets, radiators and light bulbs.
- Do not use electrical appliances (especially kettles) on the floor, or leave laptops on beds, where blocked fans can cause batteries to overheat.
- Do not obstruct fire escape routes in any way. In the event of a fire, you will want a clear route from your room to the exit door...
- Do not change the College curtains or lampshades, which are fire retardant and meet current fire regulations.
Chargers and batteries
- There has been a significant rise in the number of fires in the UK caused by faulty chargers or batteries within electrical devices. Please ensure you use the original charger or a genuine factory replacement, and check for indications of overheating regularly.
4.3.2 Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are fitted in communal areas to assist staff to deal with small fires. The College views with concern any interference with fire safety equipment, which is provided and maintained for the safety of all members of the College. This includes letting off, or tampering with, fire extinguishers (except in the event of a fire), the jamming open of fire doors, covering up smoke or heat detectors, the improper use or removal of keys to emergency exits, and interference with, or improper use of, fire escapes and fire exits. Tampering with fire safety equipment is a criminal offence.
Given the potentially serious, and possibly fatal, consequences of the wilful misuse of fire equipment, severe penalties will be imposed on those found responsible for such misuse or damage, or for encouraging others in such misuse or damage. Penalties may include the withdrawal of the privilege of living in College, or College-owned accommodation. Payment in full will be demanded for all damage caused. Under no circumstances would a plea that alcohol or other substance misuse reduced an individual’s judgement be entertained as a mitigating factor. Severe penalties will also be imposed on those who infringe the regulations regarding the use of candles in College accommodation, or who, by other acts or through articles stored in their room, increase the risk of fire.
4.3.4 Fire Detection and Alarm
All areas in College are equipped with automated fire detection and alarm equipment linked to the Porters’ Lodge. The fire detection system is necessarily highly sensitive. Leaning against call points, unattended cooking, burnt toast, steam from showers and spraying deodorant directly underneath a detector are just some of the actions that can trigger a ‘false’ alarm. Each alarm which sounds MUST be treated by all as a potential fire. Students are required to evacuate the staircase or hostel. Porters must respond to all alarms. It is in everyone’s interests to work to reduce the number of false alarms.
4.3.5 Fire Escapes
Each staircase has its means of escape clearly marked. It is important that escape routes are kept clear of flammable material, such as paper, cardboard boxes, clothing, etc. Smoke from items burning in corridors would spread throughout a building and potentially impeded escape. Escape routes must also be kept clear of personal property, furniture and other items. Regular inspections will be made of these areas, and disciplinary action will be taken if escape routes are blocked.
All members of College need to understand how to act in the event of a fire alarm. Instructions are provided in each student room. Everyone should know their escape routes, fire exits and fire assembly point. Information about these is posted on notices around the College and is usually the nearest lawn or footpath.
Fire doors in the College (including doors to all student rooms) are designed to withstand smoke and fire for at least 30 minutes. If your escape route is cut off, you should remain behind a fire door until rescued.
4.3.6 Fire Alarm Tests
Weekly fire alarm tests are carried out in all College buildings and test times are posted on notice boards around the College. Fire alarm tests are not completed during the two examination quiet periods.
4.3.7 Fire Drills
The Head Porter is responsible for arranging fire drills for each staircase and hostel, and a log is kept of all drills. Generally, drills will take place once during the Michaelmas and Lent Terms, although re-testing may take place if responses have been slow or incorrect (e.g. going to the wrong assembly point). ALWAYS respond promptly to fire alarms, even if you suspect it may be a false alarm, or a drill. Students have a legal duty to co-operate with College staff during fire drills.
4.3.8 Cooking
Selwyn is not a self-catering College and the facilities on each staircase are intended for the preparation of light snacks only. Each gyp room (or mini kitchen) has a sink, microwave oven, kettle, toaster, hob and fridge. Some hobs and electrical sockets in gyp rooms have 5-minute timers as a fire prevention measure. For safety reasons, no cooking or heating appliances other than kettles may be used in your room, and deep-frying in not permitted in gyps. Small appliances may be used in gyp rooms at the user’s own risk, provided they meet applicable standards and can be stored in the user's cupboard.
4.3.9 Electrical Safety and Fittings
Power points on staircases are of the 3-pin, 13 amp fuse variety. The following rules are intended to safeguard personal safety and prevent overloading of the supply:
- One multi-way extension lead may be used in each room, provided it is of the distributor block with trailing lead type and is fused. Cable reels are dangerous and must not be used.
- Never attempt to force 2-pin or other non-UK compliant plugs into 3-pin sockets or use any equipment that is not rated for 250 volts or for use in the UK. The use of 2- or 3-pin adaptors with electrical cooking appliances is prohibited.
Under no circumstances must anyone tamper with College electrical equipment or supply. If you are in any doubt about these rules, you should seek advice from College Staff.
