Fire procedure

If you discover a fire

• Sound the fire alarm.
  
  
• Notify the University Emergency Control Centre by dialling 4444 from any University internal telephone. Give the location of the fire and other details clearly and concisely, and do not ring off until you are told to do so.
  
  
• If safe to do so, fight the fire using appliances provided.
  
  
• If you leave the fire, close the door on it.

If the fire alarm sounds

• Render your equipment safe and evacuate the building at once.
  
  
• Close your office or laboratory door behind you.
  
  
• Leave the building by the nearest safe exit. Do not use the lift.
  
  
• Go to the evacuation assembly point on the concourse outside the Student Union.
  
  
• Do not assemble in front of the main entrance. Clear access is needed for the emergency services.
  
  
• Do not under any circumstances re-enter the building until you are told it is safe.

All staff and research students must attend a fire training session annually. These are arranged regularly throughout the year and details are circulated by e-mail.

Familiarise yourself with emergency procedure NOW – once an incident arises it is too late. In particular make sure that you know your shortest escape route from the building and alternatives, and how to raise the alarm.

There is a fire alarm test each Monday afternoon at about 15:00, when the alarms will sound for up to 30 seconds. There is no need to evacuate the building unless the alarms continue to sound after 30 seconds have passed, in which case you must evacuate at once. If you notice that an alarm sounder near you is faulty, you should report this to Alan Bateman or one of the porters.

A fire drill is arranged once a year, usually in October.