Goldsmiths - University of London

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Health and Safety

Fire Safety

The Council and the College Warden are ultimately responsible for fire safety in respect of college premises and activities.

Fire risk assessments have been carried out for all buildings and will be kept up to date by the Fire Safety Adviser, who will also advise on building emergency plans.

The Head of Estates and Facilities has operational responsibility for the maintenance of fire detection and warning systems, fire fighting equipment and emergency lighting throughout the college and for ensuring that all college buildings are equipped with adequate means of escape and adequate means of access for emergency services in the event of fire. Records of fire alarm activations and system testing and maintenance are kept by the Estates and Facilities Department.

Heads of Department are responsible for ensuring that escape routes and exits in departmental areas are kept free of obstructions and that precautions are taken to eliminate or reduce risk of fire or explosion from activities carried out by departmental staff or students.  Heads of Department are also responsible for nominating sufficient fire wardens to cover departmental areas.

All staff, students and contractors are responsible for ensuring that they: do not create an uncontrolled fire risk; do not obstruct fire exit routes or doors; do not damage or deliberately misuse anything provided for fire safety; and do report faults and fire hazards.

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans will be prepared with students, staff and visitors who are unable to descend the stairs quickly or who cannot hear audible fire alarms. Refuge points will be identified in each building and these will be equipped with telephone communication to 24 hour staffed security point in Richard Hoggart Building. Where fire evacuation lifts are installed, appropriate staff will be trained to assist in the operation of these lifts when it is safe to do so in an emergency.

Training and information on fire safety arrangements will be provided for staff and students by the Fire Safety Adviser with the Training and Development Unit. Fire safety awareness is also included in induction information for new staff and students. Fire drills will be arranged annually by the Fire Safety Adviser, assisted by staff in Estates and Facilities Department and Accommodation, as appropriate. Records of fire drills are kept by the Head of Health and Safety.