The University of Sheffield
Information Commons

Evacuation Statement for the IC

Access to the Information Commons - important information for staff and students who need assistance to evacuate the building in the event of fire.

The University has a legal obligation to take due care for the safety of everyone who uses its buildings. This includes ensuring that everyone is able to leave the building quickly and safely in the event of fire.

The safe evacuation of people who require assistance to leave the building in the event of fire relies fundamentally on sufficient trained staff being available when the alarm is raised. During certain `out of hours´ periods it is not possible for the University to maintain staffing at a level which ensures that assistance is available if required. As such access will need to be restricted during these periods.

During semester* unrestricted access is available:

At all other times the Concierge team will only allow access to people who they believe are able to leave the building by their own unaided effort in the event of fire.

Staff and students who have mobility issues but who are able to escape the building in the event of an emergency without assistance should contact Lois Burt (0114 22 27294)in the Information Commons to discuss their specific situation in order that arrangements can be made to ensure that access restrictions are not imposed for them.

*During vacation, arrangements may differ – please check the IC website or speak to a member of IC staff for more information.

Safety Services, September 2007