Fire safety

Action on discovering a fire

• Fight the fire only if you have been trained and it is safe to do so​
• Activate the nearest fire alarm, i.e. the red break glass box on the wall in corridors and near exit doors
• Leave the building by the nearest available exit
• Use the stairs not the lift
• If you can't use the stairs, go to a Refuge Point which will be indicated by signs, and use the call/answer button on the refuge equipment or telephone Campus Security (Ext. 666 or 020 7896 2121) to call for help
• Go to the evacuation assembly point
• Report the location of the fire to Campus Security or Fire Marshals (wearing high visibility tabards) at the assembly point
• Do not re-enter the building until it is declared safe by Campus Security or the Fire and Rescue Service (if in attendance)

Emergency Evacuation Plan

Ensure you familiarise yourself with alternative fire exits and fire escape routes from the building/floors you are ​using, in case the normal entry/exit route you use is compromised by the fire.

Action on hearing a continuous fire alarm

• Stop what you are doing
• In workshops, laboratories and studios - switch off/isolate equipment if it is safe to do so
• Leave the building by the nearest available exit
• Use the stairs not the lift
• If you can't use the stairs, go to a Refuge Point which will be indicated by signs, and use the call/answer button on the refuge equipment or telephone Campus Security (Ext. 666 or 020 7896 2121) to call for help
• Go to the evacuation assembly point
• Do not re-enter the building until it is declared safe by Campus Security or the Fire and Rescue Service (if in attendance)

Evacuation (Fire) Marshals

The role of an evacuation marshal primarily involves:

• Searching their designated area to ensure a full evacuation. This may include toilets and disabled refuge points
• Advising occupants in that area of the need to evacuate
• Directing occupants to the nearest available exit​​​. If individuals refuse to evacuate, marshals must report this and not remain with them
• ​Inform Campus Security (on Ext. 666 or 020 7896 2121) of location of anyone remaining in the area; all-clear; anything suspicious e.g. burning smell or smoke
• Accompanying physically disabled occupants to the refuge area, then establishing communication with Security via the refuge communication panel to seek assistance with evacuation
• Go to the evacuation assembly point​​
• Carrying out secondary duties, e.g. encouraging people to assembly points; directing others away from the building; monitoring exits for any unauthorised re-entry before the all-clear

​Students are requested to follow any instructions given by fire marshals to ensure a safe and thorough evacuation.  ​

Persons with Disabilities - Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP)​

The Health and Safety Office is notified of any student who is unable to use stairs or who cannot hear audible fire alarms for the purposes of assisting in the preparation of PEEPs for these individuals.  Students are encouraged to liaise with the H&S Office in the preparation of their PEEPs in order to ensure safe evacuation from teaching spaces or Halls.

A refuge is a place of relative safety where people whose abilities or impairments might result in delayed evacuation can await assistance from Campus Security with the next part of their movement to a place of ultimate safety. 

To facilitate the effective evacuation of people from refuges, an emergency voice communication (EVC) system is provided. Occupants of each refuge are able to alert Campus Security that they are in need of assistance and they will be reassured that this assistance is forthcoming. 

Evacuation chairs are installed in case of evacuation lift breakdown or where lifts are not compliant for evacuation use. These will be operated by trained Security staff.

If you have a physical disability or require assistance with evacuation in an emergency please contact the Health and Safety Office - healthandsafety (@gold.ac.uk) / 0207 919 7516 - so that a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) can be prepared for you.

Students and visitors with impaired hearing

Goldsmiths has a Deaf Messaging System (DMS) in a number of buildings across campus where a personal mobile phone can receive text messages informing you of a fire alarm evacuation.  

To enable the DMS system, text the below building codes to 07797 870 999: 

• PSHB (for Professor Stuart Hall Building)
• RHB (for Richard Hoggart Building)
• WHB (for Whitehead Building)
• GULR (for the library and Rutherford Building)

There are also strategically located visual warning devices located throughout the main buildings; including the public toilet areas.

For students with a hearing impairment who are resident in Halls, a vibrating pillow pager can be made available to ensure you are woken if the alarm sounds while sleeping.  This will be provided as an adjustment within your PEEP.

Visitors with impaired sight

Students with impaired sight will under normal circumstances be able to self-evacuate with minimal assistance provided by a staff member. However adjustments to teaching rooms and within Halls can be arranged through an individual’s PEEP.  Facilities for assistance dogs are also available on campus.

Fire Hazard Control

Every student is responsible for reporting faults and fire hazards and making sure you don’t create fire risks or obstruct fire exits. 

As part of the Goldsmiths Smoke Free Policy​ there are designated smoking shelters on campus. 

Evacuation Assembly Areas

Familiarise yourself with the location of fire assembly areas around campus.

For main campus buildings: Fire Evacuation Assembly points

Evacuation assembly points by residencies: Halls fire evacuation assembly points

Building	Assembly area
Loring Hall	Initially outside the adjacent block. Then move to Loring Hall management Centre
Chesterman House	Outside the building.
Raymont Hall	Outside the respective building(s)
Surrey House	Outside entrance (Shardeloes Road)

Fire Alarms and Equipment

The Department of Estates and Facilities manages and maintains Goldsmiths fire alarms, fire-fighting equipment and emergency lighting. Contact the Estates helpdesk about any faults with the equipment.

Fire Fighting Equipment

Firefighting equipment (extinguishers) are provided across campus.  Students are requested not to tamper with, move or use the extinguishers unless it is an emergency. 

Please contact healthandsafety (@gold.ac.uk) / 0207 919 7516  with any questions.