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Blackfriars Hall > Routine Fire Safety Checking by Blackfriars Staff in Our Accommodation

Routine Fire Safety Checking by Blackfriars Staff in Our Accommodation

Last reviewed: January 2026

  1. Purpose

This procedure provides guidance for Blackfriars Hall staff conducting routine on-site visits to student accommodation, but we are publishing this guidance within our fire safety information for residents so that they can understand when we might remove items or take further action. This process is intended to ensure that common fire risks and emerging concerns about fire safety in our housing can be identified early, recorded appropriately, and escalated through the correct channels.

 

  1. What areas do we check?

This procedure applies to all Blackfriars Hall staff / permitted contractors entering:

  • Communal areas
  • Circulation areas (corridors, stairwells, lobbies)
  • Shared kitchens and bathrooms
  • External areas adjacent to buildings
  • Student bedrooms (only where permitted under policy)

 

  1. Staff Responsibilities

During each routine visit, staff must:

  • Observe general fire safety conditions in all accessible areas.
  • Identify behaviours or conditions that may increase fire risk.
  • Take immediate action only where safe (e.g., removing a fire door wedge).
  • Record and escalate all non-compliances or hazards.
  • Follow Blackfriars Hall access and lone working procedures.

 

  1. Fire Safety Checks to Conduct

4.1 Obstructed Fire Exit Routes

Check for:

  • Items blocking corridors, stairwells, or designated escape routes.
  • Fire exits obstructed by bicycles, refuse bags, bins, or furniture.
  • Improper storage in escape corridors.

Action:
Remove small items where safe; report all significant obstructions immediately.

 

4.2 Smoke or Heat Detectors Covered or Tampered With

Look for:

  • Detectors covered with tape, plastic, cloth, or decorations.
  • Deliberate disabling, damage, or removal of detector heads.
  • Objects hung too close to detectors.

Action:
Treat as an urgent hazard and report immediately for follow up.

 

4.3 False or Malicious Activation of Fire Alarms

Be alert to:

  • Damaged, obstructed, or tampered manual call points.
  • Steam or aerosol use intentionally directed toward detectors.
  • Behaviour suggesting alarm misuse.

Action:
Document and escalate for investigation.

 

4.4 Fire Doors and Safety Equipment Tampering

Check:

  • Fire doors wedged or propped open.
  • Doors failing to close correctly (damaged closers or seals).
  • Missing or damaged fire door signage.
  • Misused or missing extinguishers, blankets, or call points.

Action:
Remove wedges immediately; report defects or repeated misuse, which triggers disciplinary procedure under Blackfriars regulations.

 

4.5 Cooking-Related Negligence

In shared kitchens, identify:

  • Unattended cooking.
  • Items stored on or near hot hobs.
  • Excessive smoke/steam with kitchen doors propped open.
  • Oil left near active heat sources.

Action:
Address immediate hazards (e.g., switch off hobs if unattended); escalate repeated behaviours according to policy.

 

4.6 Unsafe or Prohibited Electrical Appliances

Check for:

  • Non approved heaters or cooking devices in bedrooms.
  • Overloaded adaptors or daisy chained extension leads.
  • Damaged or scorched cables and plugs.
  • Electrical items placed on soft furnishings.

Action:
Record all concerns; isolate and remove hazardous appliances as required by policy.

 

 

4.7 Smoking or Vaping in Prohibited Areas

Look for:

  • Cigarette butts, ash, rolling materials, or lighters indoors.
  • Odour of tobacco or vaping in prohibited areas.
  • Detector tampering linked to smoking.

Action:
Record and escalate as a breach of accommodation rules.

 

4.8 Candles, Incense, and Naked Flames

Identify:

  • Candles, tea lights, wax burners, incense sticks.
  • Matches/lighters next to burn marks or evidence of recent use.
  • Flame based items near curtains or bedding.

Action:
Confiscate prohibited items (if authorised), document, and escalate.

 

**4.9 Lithium Ion Battery Hazards (Emerging Sector Concern)

Staff must specifically check for:**

  • E bike/e scooter lithium ion batteries charging indoors – note e bikes and e scooters are prohibited by our accommodation agreement.
  • Power banks, laptops, and devices left on charge unattended, especially on soft furnishings.
  • Bulging, swollen, or damaged batteries (phone, laptop, scooter, etc.).
  • Multiple high wattage chargers plugged into a single multi adapter.
  • Charging on beds, sofas, or under pillows, where heat cannot dissipate.
  • Unregulated or unofficial chargers used with devices.

Action:

  • Treat damaged or swollen batteries as urgent hazards and report immediately.
  • Request removal of prohibited devices (e scooters, e bikes, etc.) in line with Hall policy.
  • Record and escalate unsafe charging behaviours for resident follow up.

 

  1. Documentation and Reporting

5.1 Immediate / Urgent Reporting

The following require same day escalation:

  • Covered or tampered smoke/heat detectors
  • Obstructed fire exits
  • Fire doors disabled or damaged
  • Hazardous or prohibited appliances
  • Damaged lithium ion batteries, or e bikes or e scooters stored on site
  • Unsafe charging practices posing immediate risk

 

5.2 Logging

Observations are routine for every visit and do not require logging unless significant or repeated hazards are observed and removed that require further follow-up.

Issues and actions taken should be notified to the Bursary for logging, including date and time, hazards observed, actions taken, required follow-up, and whether there are repeated behaviours or patterns of risk.  Repeated behaviour should be logged within the Hall’s welfare reporting procedures.

 

  1. Escalation Pathways
  • Urgent building safety risks: Maintenance or Bursary
  • Resident behavioural issues: Dean / disciplinary lead
  • Emerging or complex risks: Bursar
  • Equipment faults: Maintenance and Bursary

 

  1. Staff Conduct During Visits

Staff should:

  • Be respectful and avoid confrontation.
  • Never touch personal belongings unless addressing an immediate safety hazard.
  • Leave written notice when action has been taken in a resident area.
  • Follow lone working and access protocols at all times.

 

  1. Review of Protocol

This protocol will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

  • Fire safety regulations change
  • Sector wide risk patterns evolve
  • Internal audits highlight new concerns
  • Changes in student behaviour introduce new hazards