Fire Safety: Halls of Residence and Student Accomodation

In our halls of residence and self-catered accommodation, we have procedures and processes in place to help keep residents safe from fire. These include:

• 24-hour fire alarm systems
• Trained staff living onsite in halls
• Smoke detectors in all bedrooms and corridors
• Hand-held firefighting equipment strategically located throughout
• Fire and smoke doors in each building
• Fire action signage provided in each bedroom including corridors, active reminder/guidance in the event of the fire alarm sounding or upon discovering a fire
• Safe exit routes throughout each building
• Regular fire drills to ensure evacuation procedures are safe, and timely with all regulations met 

Note: If you will require assistance to hear and respond to audible building alarms and/or evacuate a building in the event of a fire or other emergency please let your resident manager or resident advisor know as soon as possible.

• Smoking, including vaping, is not permitted within accommodation premises. The UoA has a smoke and vape-free policy across all campuses, facilities and grounds
• Candles, incense or any open flamed items are not permitted onsite any accommodation. Safer alternatives are battery-operated candles and reed diffusers
• Do not use paper light shades or paper masking on any light fitting
• Empty waste paper bins every day
• The use of portable heating and cooking equipment in your room/study room is strictly forbidden
• Never cover or interfere with fire or smoke detectors
• Make yourself familiar with all of the evacuation routes from your floor and building
• Do not bring hazardous substances into your room even from laboratories or other UoA premises
• Never dry clothing on top of the heater
• Never dry clothing near heaters, use the laundry rooms
• Never block access or fire exits, cover fire signs or misuse fire-fighting equipment
• Never prop open fire doors or place anything in the way of automatic doors which will prevent them from closing

• The storage and/or charging of electric scooters, bikes or similar personal transport devices, including their batteries is not permitted in your room
• Do not store scooters or bikes or anything else in corridors, stairwells or foyers, as they can cause an obstruction in the event of an evacuation

• Electrical devices, cables and plug sockets can cause a fire! If your charging cable is
  cracked, severely twisted or has exposed wires, do not use it.  This could result in a fire
• Do not overload electrical sockets
• Do not plug extension cords into each other
• Whilst we test the electrical goods we provide, it is your responsibility to ensure your own goods comply with the safety regulations. If in doubt please ask a member of staff for advice
• Always, switch off every electric charged device or appliance including lights when you leave your room, as well as before bed
• Do not charge your phone or laptop on a bed or any other surface that could catch fire, instead opt for a work surface or table

Always, take care when cooking! To minimise the risk of fire and avoid unnecessary fire alarm activations, please follow these guidelines:

• Never leave cooking unattended (this includes rice cookers). Do not be distracted by devices or by others  
• Cooking, including the use of a toaster, is strictly prohibited in your bedroom, except for studio apartments
• Keep the oven, grill and hob clear of accumulated grease and ensure they are switched off after use
• If you are frying food, take care not to let the oil get too hot – if the oil starts to smoke, turn the heat down as it could burst into flames
• Kitchens, including grills, pans and toasters must be kept clean at all times
• Open the window or run the mechanical extraction to clear the cooking smoke
• Wash extractor hood filters on a regular basis
• Keep the kitchen door closed
• Keep loose clothing, tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob

Note: Avoid cooking if you are under the influence of alcohol. You are more than likely to have an accident, so plan takeaways or Uber Eats.                

• Never ignore the fire alarm
• When it sounds, immediately leave the building via the nearest safe route.  Delayed evacuation can result in becoming trapped or seriously injury
• Shout 'FIRE’ and knock on any bedroom doors on your escape route out of the building
• If safe, turn off any appliances you are using that could be a potential hazard e.g. oven, microwave, sandwich toaster etc...
• Close doors as you leave
• Do not use lifts (most lifts will return to ground level and will not operate when the alarm sounds). Walk to the nearest stairwell or other exits located on your floor
• Leave the building and move safely to your designated evacuation assembly point
• Follow staff directions
• Move away from the main entrance as access will be required by Fire & Emergency NZ
• Return to the building only when instructed by a member of staff

• Do not tamper with the smoke detector installed on the ceilings of each resident’s room and common room spaces
• Sufficient smoke or excessive steam or vapours will activate an alarm
• Residents should take the following precautions to avoid false alarms:
  • Keep the bathroom door closed when showering in en-suite rooms and communal bathrooms
  • Ventilate the room and stay away from detection devices when using aerosols, hairsprays, hair dryers, curling and hair straighteners    

Self-Catered Apartments only

• There are alarm hush buttons located next to the front entrance door. Should your apartment alarm go off in a non-emergency situation, please press the hush button to stop the alarm and open your windows to clear the air, do not open the main room door as smoke will travel into the corridor and activate the alarm

• If the fire alarm is not sounding, shout ‘Fire, Fire, Fire’ and activate the nearest fire alarm call point
• Shout 'Fire’ and knock on any bedroom doors on your escape route out of the building Close doors as you leave
• Leave the building and move to your building's designated meeting area and wait for further directions
• Move away from the main entrance as access will be required by Fire & Emergency NZ Do not use lifts (most lifts will return to the ground level and will not operate when the alarm sounds). Walk to the nearest stairwell. If the stairwell is blocked by smoke or fire, use the other exit(s) located on your floor
• Only return to the building only when instructed by a member of staff

• Keep doors and windows locked, especially when sleeping or not in the room
• Secure valuables out of sight, in a secure location and password protect your computer
• Be aware of tailgaters when entering or exiting your building
• Report suspicious people or events to security and accommodation staff
• Keep your keys in a safe place; remove any address labels from them
• Report the loss or theft of a key immediately to accommodation staff
• Do not give your keys or student ID to anyone including guests
• Report lost keys and/or ID’s immediately to your resident management team and security
• Do not prop doors open or leave doors/windows open as this provides access for intruder
• It is vital that you secure the property before going out. Ensure all windows are closed and doors locked
• At night, keep to well-lit areas and ensure you are not alone
• If you see anything suspicious, you should immediately phone (in this order):
  • The Police
  • Security
  • Accommodation team
• Please report all incidents, accidents or hazards to your Resident Advisor or accommodation team
• Immediately report any health and safety concern whether minor or major to your accommodation team
• Ensure your room and common spaces are clean and tidy

Document Control
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: Oct 2023
Next Review: Oct 2026
Owner: hsw@auckland.ac.nz
Approver: Associate Director, Health Safety & Wellbeing