How to keep yourself, your flatmates and our staff safe

When living in halls, it is important that you are aware of your fire safety obligations. ⛑️📝

Please watch the latest UAL Fire Safety videos below to remind you of our procedures. It has a lot of useful tips on how to use equipment correctly and how to keep yourselves, your flatmates and our staff safe. 

Watch UAL Fire Safety Video (with English captions)

Watch UAL Fire Safety Video (with Mandarin captions)

Further to our UAL Fire Safety videos, here are some important fire safety measures that are in place to help keep everyone safe. 

Fire drills

Fire drills will be conducted at the start of every term. You must follow management instructions. You must exit immediately on hearing the alarm. Staff will not enter the building to aid your escape.

What to do if you spot a fire

If you discover a fire, raise the alarm at once by:

1. Sounding the nearest fire alarm (break glass call point)
2. Leave the building immediately and report to the duty officer or security when outside.

What to do when a fire alarm sounds

When the fire alarm sounds, do not hesitate to leave the building as quickly as possible, closing doors behind you, and go outside to the nearest assembly point. Delaying your evacuation is dangerous to you, your flatmates and staff as fire and smoke spreads very quickly.

• Leave the building quickly and calmly by the nearest exit

• Do not stop to collect personal belongings

• Do not use lifts

• If an exit is blocked, find an alternative route

• When clear of the building report to your assembly point

• Do not obstruct access points. Routes must be kept clear for emergency vehicles/personnel

• Do not re-enter buildings until a member of staff gives you permission.

• Plan your escape

• Familiarise yourself with your nearest escape routes.

• Know your assembly points

• Check your smoke detectors

• Ensure your friends/visitors are aware of evacuation plans and assembly areas.

Personal evacuation plans

If you have difficulty getting in and out of buildings during an emergency such as a fire (for example due to a disability or medical condition) and you feel you need some assistance, please let your Hall manager know immediately. They will make a plan for your escape in advance.

Unattended cooking

Please do not leave the kitchen when you are cooking food. Please ensure you remain in the kitchen when you are cooking and if you have to leave the room, switch off the appliance you are using

Lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have the ability to cause fires. This is usually because the battery is either damaged, used incorrectly or of substandard design and manufacture. These batteries can be found in phones, laptops, e-bikes and scooters. Please follow this advice:

● Check devices are not damaged before using

●  Switch off after charging 

●  Don’t leave devices on beds or in direct sunlight

●  Always buy devices from a reputable high street retailer and make sure they are CE marked 

Heating and appliances

Residents should not use any form of additional heating in their room or in any other part of the hall unless such additional heating is supplied by the University where halls heating has failed.

Residents should not use cooking appliances (which includes kettles, microwaves, toasters and rice cookers) in any part of the hall, except in the kitchen areas of Halls.

Residents must not use cube adapters.

Electric blankets

Electric blankets are not allowed in our halls. Please do not bring or use an electric blanket at our halls.

If you have any questions related to fire safety in your hall, please speak to your Residence Manager, Halls Team or please attend a Resident Engagement Forum when they occur in your hall.  

Thank you for helping us to keep everyone safe in our halls. 

🚭 Smoking policy 

It is a criminal offence to smoke in shared areas inside halls. Since 1 July 2007 all University of the Arts London halls of residence have been smoke-free. Smoking is not permitted in any part of the building including study bedrooms, corridors, kitchens, bathrooms, and communal areas.

We will treat any breach of this policy as a serious breach of the Resident's tenancy agreement which could lead to disciplinary action being taken under the University’s Accommodation Services Disciplinary Code.

We recommend you take some time to read through the Fire Safety section of your Tenancy Regulations and read the fire rules below. If you have any queries, please speak directly to your Residence Manager.  Their contact details can be found in your Halls' Guide.