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Maintenance

Contact

Please report any repairs or faults in your accommodation by filling out a maintenance request slip in the Porter's Lodge) and placing it in the Maintenance pigeonhole. Alternatively call the Porter's Lodge on: 01223 (3) 35660 or Maintenance on: 01223 (3) 35688 Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm or email the Clerk of Works on: maintenance@darwin.cam.ac.uk. For emergencies out of hours please call the Porter's Lodge on: (3) 35660.

Electrical Equipment

All appliances used in common areas (e.g. kitchens) should conform to a British Standard and should be PAT tested before use. If you are unsure of whether any electrical equipment you have conforms to this standard please speak to the Clerk of Works. The College can arrange for PAT testing to be carried out for an administrative charge which will cover testing and any repairs and subsequent retesting. Unsafe items will be removed by College staff.

Items such as fridges & freezers (in addition to those supplied by the College), microwaves, hobs or rice cookers are not permitted in College properties or individual rooms. Washing and drying (condensing) machines are allowed in certain areas subject to prior permission from the Clerk of Works. Square electrical adaptors are no longer legal for use in College properties 4-way extensions are allowed but Fire Regulations ban multiple usage (i.e. extensions plugged into extensions). If you are travelling from overseas, you are advised to bring the minimum of personal electrical equipment because it may not conform to British Standards. This applies to leads, adaptors and plugs as much as to appliances

Furniture

Do not replace or remove any furniture from your room unless you have the prior written permission of the Clerk of Works. Any furniture or soft furnishings that are introduced into rooms must comply with current Fire Safety Regulations in respect of fire-retardant materials.

Low Energy Bulbs

Remember to turn off all lights and electrical equipment when not in use or when leaving your room. Replacement low energy bulbs are available free of charge from the Porter‘s Lodge or from the Clerk of Works office. Bulbs which are difficult to reach or in public areas will be replaced by the Maintenance department once reported.

Parties - Guidelines For Parties In Hostels

These guidelines are useful to avoid problems with the College, your neighbours and flatmates. Darwin College is first and foremost an academic institution and we therefore ask you to think of others before organising a party. Only residents of a hostel may host a party.

The College expects every member to behave in a responsible manner, and to hold parties in accordance with the guidelines below. Please remember that you have colleagues who may be studying and neighbours who may have good reasons for objecting

1. The host/s is/are responsible for ensuring that fire and safety regulations are fully complied with. You must not allow the maximum noise level at any time to exceed the figures laid down in the regulations of the County Council Fire and Environmental Health Offices. The number of guests at any party is limited to 6 times the number of residents except in the case of Gwen Raverat House and Frank Young House - where the number of guests must not exceed 60 people.

2. It is in your own interest to be polite and considerate to neighbours. Therefore please give at least one day's notice to your neighbours of your intention to hold a party. This might increase their tolerance levels! In addition you should be considerate towards any resident who may have genuine reasons against the holding of a party (e.g. exams, illness, etc.)

3. Hosts are responsible for cleaning up the residue left after a party and for any intentional/unintentional damage to hostel property. Any extra cleaning or damage costs incurred by the College will be levied on the host/s.

Room Checks

The maintenance staff will normally carry out room checks several times a year, including in the first term. Whenever possible students will be told in advance when access to their rooms is required to ensure privacy. Any possessions not allowed in rooms, as stated in the accommodation contract, such as fridges, cooking appliances, candles, square adaptors, additional mattresses (including air mattresses) and futons, will be removed. The Clerk of Works should be contacted if this situation arises.

TV Licences

It is your personal responsibility to purchase a TV licence for any television receiver brought into College, including for the use of your computer to watch broadcast programmes. Your home licence will not cover you and there is no College-wide cover. TV licensing authorities make checks on a regular basis and you are personally liable for any fines imposed.