Heath and Safety, Security & Fire Safety

Fire Safety

Please make sure you understand the fire instructions in your College accommodation and familiarise yourself with your nearest escape routes and assembly point.

If you discover a fire:

• Sound the Fire Alarm immediately by pushing the ‘break glass’ on a call point.
• Evacuate the building.
• Inform the Porters’ Lodge 0n 01223 335660.
• Report to the assembly point.

You must only attempt to put out the fire if it is safe to do so. Do not put yourself or others at risk.

All corridors, stairwells, landings etc, must be kept clear at all times. Any items found in these areas will be removed immediately (only the hoover and ironing board are allowed to be stored in the designated area). Door closers are not to be disconnected and fire doors must never be wedged open.

It is a criminal offence under UK law to tamper with or disable fire-alarm equipment or fire extinguishers.

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Fire Prevention

Please be aware that the most common causes of fire or fire alarm activations are:

1. Cooking in student rooms – this is not permitted.

2. Steam from kettles hitting the alarm.

3. Wedging fire doors open while cooking in gyp rooms – smoke from cooking then sets off the smoke detectors in corridors.

4. Heat and smoke from candles – use of candles is forbidden in all College properties.

5. Illegal smoking anywhere in the College whether in rooms or in corridors can set off the alarms – smoking is forbidden in all College properties.

6. Smoke or sparks caused by the overloading of electrical circuits by operating too many electrical appliances and using too many adaptors.

7. The use of aerosols near smoke detectors.

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Fire Extinguishers

Different fire extinguishers are intended for use on different causes of fire.

WATER (Red Label) 
Suitable for wood, paper and textiles (not electrical).

FOAM (Red/Yellow Label)
Suitable for wood, paper, textiles and flammable liquids (not electrical).

POWDER (Red/Blue Label)
Suitable for wood, paper textiles, flammable liquids, live electrical equipment & gases.

CARBON DIOXIDE GAS (Red/Black Label)
Suitable for flammable liquids and live electrical equipment.

FIRE BLANKETS (in Red Container) 
Suitable for extinguishing burning clothing and small, contained fires involving burning liquids.

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Electric scooters and electric bikes

These should not be brought inside College properties. It is against our fire safety rules to charge these anywhere on College grounds.

In light of recent incidents, the safety of our members is of utmost importance.

Please read here for further details:

https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/electric-bike-le…

https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambridge-fire-c…

Any electric scooters found inside properties, whether being charged or not, will be removed.

E-scooters and electric bikes are not permitted to be charged on College premises including in accommodation buildings.

They may be parked on the main site outside under the Dining Hall. They may not be parked in the underground bike parking next to the Study Centre.

Below is a video showing the sudden and catastrophic nature of lithium battery fires:

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General Health & Safety

In accordance with Health and Safety legislation and the College’s own policies, you are required to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for that of others who may be affected by your actions. You must not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided by the College.

A breach of any of these or other instructions may result in disciplinary action. Residents should make every effort to maintain the safe condition of their property and surroundings.

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First Aid

If First Aid is required, please contact the Porters’ Lodge on 01223 335660. There are trained first aiders in various departments and the Porters’ Lodge is a central source of information.

A number of members of staff have also trained to become Mental Health First Aiders. A list of First Aiders and Mental Health First Aiders can be found on the noticeboard outside the Porters’ Lodge.

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Personal Security

Petty theft is unfortunately not uncommon in the Colleges, mainly because it can be difficult to establish whether all visitors are legitimate. Therefore it is essential that rooms and windows are locked when left unoccupied, and valuables should never be left unattended in public rooms. Keep valuables hidden and out of sight of the main door and/or window, and only permit people you know onto College premises.

Intruders and security breaches should be reported to the Porters’ Lodge.

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Personal Safety

For your own personal safety, try to avoid walking or cycling in poorly lit parts of the City after dark. Where possible do not travel alone, particularly off the main roads, late at night.

Personal alarms are provided free by the DCSA to all members who request them. Helpful tips on personal safety for students can be found here.

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Insurance

You are responsible for the security of your own property and personal possessions while resident in College. The College does not accept liability for loss or damage to such property.

You should arrange your own insurance for the contents of your room (the DCSA may be able to recommend a company). Please be sure that it offers the appropriate form of cover.  Some companies will not pay compensation for items stolen from your room unless there is physical evidence of a break-in. There may also be a clause insisting that all losses are reported within 21 days from the date they occurred, which could present problems if losses occur during vacations.

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Room and Property Keys

Your keys are issued to you personally and should not be given to other people under any circumstances. Doing so is a breach of your accommodation terms and conditions.

Please ensure your door is locked when you are not in your room.

Please ensure external doors to properties are firmly closed and locked at all times for the safety and security of all residents.

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