Fire Safety In Universities

Helping you achieve effective fire safety in universities and deliver the best value by streamlining fire safety specifications, planning and coordinating project completion with the consideration for education timetable and sustainability objectives.

ENQUIRE

Delivering Effective Fire Safety for Universities

Group of students sitting on grass and talking outside near historic and modern buildings with trees on a sunny day.

STREAMLINING SPECIFICATIONS

Universities usually manage a varied portfolio of building types – commercial (educational facilities) and residential (student accommodation). Both types of buildings have different uses and associated fire risks that must be considered. We work together with you to streamline the specifications across both types of facilities and apply common principles across all buildings. Using consistent and unified specifications for fire safety equipment and requirements for contractors helps deliver the best value.

CONSIDERING SEASONALITY AND TIMETABLE IN ADDRESSING FIRE RISKS

It is clear that unnecessary interruptions during term time are unwanted. We help you plan the works and coordinate with stakeholders to fulfil fire safety projects around education timetable or during term breaks.

EQUALITY

We are committed to providing effective fire safety solutions for universities while ensuring that our strategies and practices promote equality and inclusivity. This means considering the diverse needs of all and ensuring that everyone has equal access to fire safety information and provisions for safe evacuation, regardless of their background or abilities.

SAFEGUARDING AND DBS CHECKS

We fully understand the Health and Safety requirements that need to be met when operating in University facilities and adhere fully to safeguarding protocols. All our operatives have a DBS check, and we conduct regular safeguarding awareness training.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is a key requirement in education, and it penetrates requirements for fire safety, too. We always look at the balance of value vs cost and consider sustainable methods in design (minimal amount of cabling, equipment with sustainability credentials), waste management and ensuring minimal logistical footprint (using local contractors and manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions for goods delivery).

Anticipating And Managing Fire Risks

It is typical for universities to have commercial (educational facilities) and residential (student accommodation) properties present in the university campus. Both types have different challenges and fire hazards.

Educational facilities:

⚠️ Commercial kitchens.

⚠️ Laboratories.

⚠️ Electrical and plant rooms.

⚠️ Complex design and large occupancy (makes evacuation management challenging).

⚠️ High fire load.

Student accommodation:

⚠️ Cooking-imposed hazards: Misuse of cooking appliances, cooking equipment left unattended, build-up of oil, and use of tin/foil in microwaves.

⚠️ Blocked fire escape routes.

⚠️ Unauthorised electronic appliances: faulty electronics, heaters.

⚠️ Smoking / Vaping: as a source of ignition.

⚠️ Type of occupants: lack of awareness to fire safety.

Student accommodation is also prone to false alarms due to the way it is used, coupled with a lack of awareness of fire safety. Frequent false alarms lead to unnecessary evacuations and fines. They can also reduce vigilance and impact student safety. Due to the frequency of false alarms, some FRS (Fire and Rescue Services) do not automatically attend fire signals unless they are confirmed by a person.

We support and assist you in implementing effective fire safety measures to create a safe environment for students and help you feel confident in the quality and compliance of your system.

Taking A Holistic Approach To Managing Fire Safety

When approaching fire safety management, we always start by understanding your objectives. Then, we work together to develop a plan for achieving them, considering the available resources, accessibility and other requirements specific to your facility.

OUR APPROACH:

Review policies and procedures for Fire Safety and Health and Safety
Understand your facilities and fire safety management arrangements
Determine and review areas of risk (where our assistance is required)
Recommend optimal and standardised solution to achieve the desired outcome
- Streamline specifications across the property portfolio
- Consider DEI and sustainability requirements
- Secure against false alarms
Collaborate with your contractor
- Clear technical specification of the works to be carried out
- Assistance with competence assurance (if required)
Support implementation
- Technical query support
- Alignment of contractors and other stakeholders to deliver to a required specification
Assure quality and compliance to ensure the work has been delivered to the required standard and specification.
Provide feedback and recommendations for continuous improvement