Fire regulation breaches

19 June

Routine health and safety inspections often identify fire regulations breaches.  Such breaches put staff and students at risk so they need to stop.  The most common breaches are detailed below. 

Wedging of fire doors 

This practice is dangerous and a serious breach of university fire regulations.  Fire doors are provided to prevent the spread of fire/smoke and to protect fire escape routes.  If they are wedged open, they will not do this. 

Fire doors may only be wedged open in exceptional circumstances and only in a well-managed way. 

Inappropriate storage in corridors and lobbies 

The practice of storing combustible materials (paper publications, etc) in corridors and lift lobbies is inappropriate and potentially unsafe.  These areas invariably form part of a fire escape route or are designated as safe refuges for people in wheelchairs. 

Corridors and lobbies should always be kept free of obstructions.  If you are arranging or expecting a delivery of materials (whatever they are) please ensure that you are notified on their arrival and that they are placed in a more appropriate storage location without delay. 

See the link below for more details: 

https://staff.shu.ac.uk/HealthandSafety/RoutineBreaches.asp