The University Council and Rectorate Team are committed to establishing and maintaining a fire safety management system to ensure that all staff, students and visitors are protected from the risks of fire. Ultimate responsibility for fire safety falls to the University as an employer, whilst day to day implementation of prevention and precaution measures is the responsibility of the Estates Department. Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility; all staff, students and visitors are expected to follow the established safety procedures to minimise the risk of fire. Download and read our Fire Safety Management Structure document.
It is the policy of the Liverpool Hope University, so far as reasonably practicable, to:
- safeguard all persons on University premises in the event of fire.
- minimise the risk of fire and limit the spread of fire if it occurs.
- minimise the potential for fire to disrupt teaching and routine University business, damage to buildings and equipment, and harm the environment.
- comply with the requirements of legislation relating to fire and fire safety.
Full details can be found in the University's Fire Safety Policy.
The University has appointed a fire safety team to ensure effective implementation of the Fire Safety Policy. The Fire Safety Team Remit details the team's responsibilities in full.
The University is committed to promoting fire awareness to staff and students by incorporating fire awareness as part of the Induction process and providing regular training sessions throughout the year. Further training is given to staff who are designated .
All University buildings are subject to fire risk assessments which help identify fire hazards and people at risk in each building according to its use; it will also ensure each building complies with current fire safety legislation. A fire risk assessment will also indicate appropriate fire safety measures to minimise the risk of fire as far a reasonably practicable and any damage that could be caused as a result. All fire risk assessments are reviewed regularly especially in light of alterations to buildings or changes in building use. Fire risk assessments are available upon request from the Legal Services and Health & Safety Assistant.
Fire prevention is central to the fire safety policy however if a fire should occur effective evacuation procedures are in place to allow an efficient response and liaison with the Fire Service. These procedures will continue to be tested regularly and include planned fire drills, weekly fire alarm tests and a wider testing schedule for all fire safety equipment.
Staff must make sure they know what to do in the event of a fire and are obligated to inform any visitors on campus of the fire evacuation procedures. Academic staff are responsible for the safety of their students when teaching and must make themselves aware of the fire evacuation procedures for the relevant building and any personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPS) that may be in place in relation to any of their students.
All staff and students must co-operate with Managers, Heads of Department and those with fire safety responsibilities and ultimately comply with the University’s Fire Safety Policy. Staff must always consider the risk of fire from their activities and reduce or control that risk by using risk assessments to document how hazards will be managed.
Staff should familiarise themselves with the following procedures as well as reading the University’s Fire Safety Policy. Staff should also make themselves aware of their nearest fire alarm call points, fire action notices and fire exits in their usual place of work, as well as an alternative means of escape.
On discovering a fire
Any person discovering a fire, irrespective of size, or suspecting a fire, shall:
- Raise the alarm using the nearest break glass fire alarm call point
- Do not attempt the fight the fire unless the fire prevents a safe means of escape, you are absolutely certain that it is safe to do so and you are confident in using the correct fire fighting equipment.
- Make sure other occupants within your vicinity are aware of the situation and assist those who are unfamiliar with the evacuation procedure or building.
On hearing the fire alarm
On hearing the continuous sounding of the alarm, all persons shall:
- Evacuate the building immediately using the nearest designated fire exit, closing doors and windows (if safe to do so) as you leave the building. DO NOT USE LIFTS.
- Assist those who are unfamiliar with the evacuation procedures or building. Any persons with a mobility difficulty should be escorted to the nearest refuge point to await instruction.
- Obey any instructions given by Fire Marshals or Campus Operatives and gather at the suggested assembly point as indicated on the fire action notices (located on exit routes) or campus map.
- Inform the Fire Marshal of any persons that may still be in the building.
- DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO by a Fire Marshal, Campus Operative or member of the Fire Service.
Staff who are not at their usual place of work on hearing the fire alarm must leave the building and go to the nearest assembly point. They must not attempt to return to their own Department.
Staff are reminded to be vigilant with regards to housekeeping within their area of work in order to maintain the effectiveness of fire safety measures. This includes ensuring fire doors are kept closed at all times, corridors, walkways and stairways are kept clear, any materials that are likely to cause or assist the spread of fire are to be stored and disposed of safely. All fire safety equipment must be kept free from obstruction.
Emergency Assembly Points
Emergency Assembly Points - Hope Park
Emergency Assembly Points - Creative Campus
Fire Marshals are members of University staff with additional responsibilities in relation to Fire Safety.
In the event of a fire, Fire Marshals are responsible for:
- Raising the alarm, where this has not already been done.
- Making sure staff are using appropriate fire exits to make their way safely out of the building.
- Sweeping an agreed area of the building to ensure that a full evacuation has been completed.
- Assisting Disabled students or visitors if appropriate.
- Liaising with the Campus Operatives at the suggest Emergency Assembly point.
Please see the University's Fire Marshal's Guide for further information.
For information on who your local Fire Marshal is, please see the current list of Fire Marshals.
Staff interested in becoming a Fire Marshal or would like to discuss the role in greater detail should contact the Health and Safety Advisor for more information.
As part of the University's duty of care to all staff, students and visitors, a system of assisted escape is in place to support anyone with a disability should an emergency evacuation occur whilst they are on University campus.
All staff working in reception areas and those likely to receive guests or visitors to the University should familiarise themselves with the emergency evacuation information specific to the building they are based in. This information should be provided to ALL guests on arrival.
If guests declare that they or another member of their party would require any assistance during an evacuation then then relevant buildings Generic Emergency Evacuation Plan (GEEP) should be provided;
All staff and students with a disability should have a Personnel Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) in place. If you feel you would require assistance in the event of an evacuation, please don't hesitate to contact the Personnel Department (staff) or the Student Development and Wellbeing team (students) for further information.
If any of the above information, including the listed GEEPs are required in an alternative format please speak to the University's Health and Safety Advisor.
