Are Students Well Educated Enough In The Basics Of Fire Safety
It is clearly the students who are the most vulnerable group on any campus, particularly first year students, experiencing their first time away from home. Living in halls has huge risks ? for example, when students arrive they certainly will not have considered, especially with the excitement of Fresher?s Week, the increased risks of living in their Halls of Residence. Smoking in bed, candles in the rooms, overloading electrical circuits with computers, hi-fi, television, DVD and so on, and cooking with chip pans are amongst the most prominent dangers. Blocking escape routes with bikes, boxes and other gear is also tempting. A recent discussion with a prominent fire officer raised the alarming point - when sufficiently intoxicated with alcohol, and other recreational substances, smoke alarms are ineffective, as students under such influences just do not hear them.
The other main risk is with the students who live outside the main campus. Student houses are well known for being basic, and minimally maintained. The new regulations concerning HMO (Houses of Multiple Occupation) at least offer some reassurance of a level of safety. These houses must register with a local council and upgrade to a general fire safety standard. However, my research shows that in some highly populated student areas, councils are just not interested in imposing these standards. To advertise a property on the University?s accommodation list is however, a different matter, as the accommodation officer will require an HMO standard certificate. These include landlord?s gas certification on all gas appliances, smoke alarms throughout, appropriate furniture meeting fire retardant standards and clear escape routes. But, many of our students live in sub-standard housing and are at huge risk.
Other than current University Fire Safety procedure, how can the student have a better form of awareness? Well, ironically it?s education that?s needed. Enrolment day should include a fire safety module, including all types of student accommodation. This could be done by the showing of a film, a small lecture, or an interactive CD.
Clear and constant signing should be used throughout the whole campus and in student halls. When visiting a local institute I was aware that many buildings contained different designed signs. Consistency is absolutely critical when an international public uses a whole series of buildings.
Student halls should have clear fire action notices. My view is that the usual signs used are totally insufficient. They should be more conspicuous, and offer clear instruction specific to a student block. Clear warnings of unsafe behavior should be displayed including smoking in rooms, the use of candles; chip pan use and keeping escape routes clear.
I have constructed a student fire safety guide ? have a look and tell me what you think!
Click here >>
Finally I believe one of the most lacking elements in Halls of Residence is the use of low location evacuation systems. These should without doubt be installed throughout all of university residencies.
In conclusion, the UK government has a target for 50% of young people to go through the university route. If this is the case, a more focused approach to educating them in fire safety should be a great part of this education for life!
Warren Hickson
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