Fire Safety
Ensuring the University maintains a working environment safe from risks of fire.
Introduction
The University recognises that fire is a major risk to the lives of its staff, students and members of the public who visit the University. The loss of buildings and infrastructure due to fire also poses significant risks to the continuing research and teaching functions undertaken within the University.
The University will, therefore, ensure that fire safety is a priority in all areas under its control, ensuring so far as reasonably practicable, that the risk from fire will be managed in compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, and other relevant legislation.
Policy and guidance
The University also has a number of additional guidance documents relating to fire safety, which can be found below:
Fire Evacuation Protocol Fire Alarm Response Protocol Fire Evacuation Drills
Co-operation and Coordination for Shared Premises Security Fire Alarm Protocol
Staff training
The University provides core training modules for all staff, as well as for staff wishing to become Fire Marshals for the buildings they occupy. Please find links to the relevant training below:
For assistance with online training, please contact hsservicedesk@port.ac.uk.
For More Information
Fire is a major risk to the lives of staff, students and members of the public who visit the University. The loss of buildings and infrastructure due to fire also poses significant risks to the continuing research and teaching functions undertaken within the University. As such, fire safety is a priority in all areas under its control.
All University buildings are subject to a fire risk assessment and regular review, undertaken by the Fire Safety Manager. Please see the fire risk assessment frequency schedule below:
The Health Safety and Compliance Team works with members of staff from every building (including Halls of Residence) to ensure there are sufficient numbers of Fire Marshals across the campus.
In order to become a Fire Marshal, please see the training schedule.
Please see the complete list of Fire Marshals across the campus below:
Complete List of Fire Marshals
Fire drills are an important aspect of fire safety management and all occupied University buildings will undertake at least one fire drill per academic year.
Fire evacuation drills must be carried out twice a year in high-risk buildings, as identified by Health Safety and Compliance. Lower risk buildings must carry out a fire drill once per academic year, preferably within the autumn term so that the maximum number of staff and students are made aware of the procedure early on.
As the aim of the drill is to ensure that staff and students are familiar with the procedures to be followed and with the means of escape in their relevant buildings, every effort should be made to encourage the buildings occupants to use all the exits, including those less commonly used.
Further guidance on fire drills can be found below:
A PEEP is a bespoke 'escape plan' for individuals who may not be able to reach an ultimate place of safety unaided or within a satisfactory period of time in the event of an emergency evacuation.
PEEPs may be required for staff or students with:
- Mobility impairments
- Sight impairments
- Hearing impairments
- Cognitive impairments
In other circumstances a temporary PPE may be required, such as:
- Short term injuries (i.e. a broken leg)
- Temporary medical conditions
- Those in the later stages of pregnancy
PEEP Guidance for Staff Members
If staff members require assistance evacuating from a building, it is their responsibility to inform and complete a PEE via Service Manager, with their Line Manager. Once submitted, the Fire Safety Manager will review it for suitability and once agreed upon, will send a copy of the PEEP to the staff member, their line manager and the Security Lodge.
All PEEPs need to be reviewed annually. Further guidance on the PEEP procedure for staff can be found below:
PEEP Protocol for Staff PEEP Example
PEEP Guidance for Students
Student that have disclosed a potential requirement for an evacuation plan will be contacted by the Fire Safety Manager at the beginning of the teaching block. It is the student's responsibility to respond to this email if they require assistance.
If a PEEP is required, the Fire Safety Manager will complete this with the student and once agreed upon, will send a copy to the student, Head of School/Department and the Security Lodge to be kept in the building's premise information box, if applicable. Further guidance on the PEEP procedure for students can be found below:
PEEP Protocol for Students Guidance for completing a student PEEP
What is DMS?
Digital Message Service (DMS) is a mobile phone based fire safety system used to alert people who are deaf, or hard of hearing, that the fire alarm has been activated.
The system can be used by any person on campus, including staff, student and visitors. It is also not restricted to hard of hearing persons.
How does DMS Work?
DMS allows individuals to receive fire alarm alert messages directly to their mobile phone or other internet enabled devices. It can notify by text message, WhatsApp, voice call, email, or any combination of these formats.
Signing up to DMS
There are 3 methods of registering to the service:
- Send a text message with the relevant building code to the DMS number: 07480 486966.
- Download a free app (available on both Android and IOS devices) which gives instant access to the user preferences.
- Scan the QR code on DMS signage, which is located in building entrances.
For more details, please see the following user guide:
Please see the Fire Evacuation Notices for all University buildings below:
Evacuation chairs (evac-chairs) are designed to enable the safe and comfortable evacuation of mobility impaired people in the event of an emergency. In the event if an emergency, Security Staff will operate the evac-chairs to safely evacuate staff and students, as required.
Evacuation chairs can be found in the following locations:
- Bateson Centre: Floor 1 - Stairwell (A Block)
- Buckingham Building: Ground Floor - South Stairwell
- Dennis Sciama: Floor 2 - Rear Stairwell (lift lobby)
- Eldon: Floor 3 - West, Stairwell Lobby
- IMS Building A: Floor 1 - Stairwell
- King Henry Building: Floor 4 - South Stairwell
- Neptune Building: Floor 4 - Stairwell
- Mercantile House: Floor 2 and Floor 8 - Floor 2 (north staircase), Floor 8 (lift lobby)
- Ravelin Sports: Floor 1 - Service Corridor Fire Escape
- Rees Hall: Ground Floor - Ground Floor Stairwell
- Richmond Building: Ground Floor - Foyer by Caretaker's Office
- St Andrew's Court: Unit 5, Floor 2 - Outside Staircase in Unit 5
- St George's Building: Between Ground Floor/Basement - Mezzanine floor between ground floor and basement
- St Michael's Building (New): Ground Floor - Foyer by Caretaker's Office
- Technopole: Third Floor - Rear Stairwell
- University House: Floor 1 - Waltham Street Side Stairwell
- University Library: Floor 2 - East Stairwell
- Security Vehicle - This vehicle will attend fire alarm activations