Fire Safety and Emergency Evacuation

For your safety, all members of staff are familiar with fire safety procedures.  In the event of an emergency follow their instructions.  To help you become familiar with emergency evacuation procedures a practice fire drill will be held early in September.  Other drills will be scheduled throughout the year, but remember every alarm must be treated as if a real danger of fire exists.

Fire Action notices are posted near fire alarm points throughout the premises.  Take the time to familiarise yourself with these instructions. 

It is particularly important that you follow all instructions from members of staff and designated fire marshalls during emergency situations, who will oversee emergency evacuations.  In emergency situations you must follow emergency instructions (especially if you are not under direct supervision at the time of the alarm):

If you discover a fire:

  • Raise the alarm by shouting ‘fire’ and breaking the glass on the nearest fire alarm point (located at intervals in corridors and near final exits);
  • Never attempt to extinguish a fire!
  • Leave the building immediately by the nearest safe exit.

Upon hearing the alarm:

  • Leave the building immediately by the nearest safe route and exit (do not run and try to remain calm)
  • Do not use the lifts
  • Do not stop to collect personal belongings
  • Go to the nearest assembly point
  • Report any fellow students who you think should be at the assembly point but have not arrived to the Assembly Point Co-ordinator or Fire Marshall (the person in the hi-viz vest);
  • Do not re-enter the building until you have received the ‘all-clear’ instruction from the Assembly Point Co-ordinator;
  • Do not leave the College site unless authorised to do so;
  • If you are unable to negotiate stairs, ‘safe areas’ have been identified with evacuation chairs and trained members of staff to assist;
  • Do not operate a vehicle while an evacuation is in progress.  Immediately stop your vehicle, leaving access for emergency vehicles. 

General Evacuation Arrangements

Individuals with temporary mobility difficulties, like crutches for a sprained ankle, should wait behind until the rush of people have gone so that can negotiate the stairs safely, i.e. reduce the risk of being pushed accidently by a crown of people descending the stairs in a hurry.

All individuals with known disabilities like wheel chair users, hearing or visual impairments must have the benefit of a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan.  Please contact student services or your faculty office if you feel the need for a personalised evacuation plan.