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Now that you are away from home and living independently, your personal safety becomes a priority, but you must take responsibility for this; the prevention of fires and other hazards is everyone’s responsibility, and your co-operation is essential.

Safety Information

  • Fire Prevention
    • Do not tamper with the safety equipment, door closures or signage.
    • Do not leave a cooker, microwave, toaster, barbeque, or any cooking appliance unattended whilst cooking.
    • Cooking between 12 midnight and 6am is prohibited.
    • If a fire extinguisher is discharged for any reason, the occurrence must be reported to Residential Life as soon as possible.
    • Do not obstruct or prop open fire doors.
  • Fire Safety
    • You must comply immediately with any requirement served orally or in writing by the University in connection with Fire Safety, including the safe use of electrical equipment, in accordance with the relevant legislation.
    • You must familiarise yourself with the location of fire exits, fire alarm systems and firefighting equipment.
    • You must participate fully in any fire drills which are held.
    • You must treat every alarm as an emergency. If you act as if it is a false alarm and fail to evacuate, or you take your time evacuating the building, you could lose your life.
    • Testing of the fire alarm systems is carried out periodically.
    • Activating a false alarm, or tampering with any fire safety equipment, fire doors or emergency telephones is irresponsible, and puts every Resident’s life at risk.
    • Failure to evacuate in the event of alarm activation (whether a drill or real activation) or being too slow to evacuate will result in disciplinary action and an automatic £50 fine. Evacuation should take a maximum of three minutes.
    • You have a duty to report any instances of damage or abuse of the fire safety equipment, in the interests of all Residents who may rely on the equipment in an emergency.

    If you are removed from accommodation for fire offences (or those committed by your guests/visitors), you will be required to pay costs of accommodation including a contract cancellation charge as outlined in section 3.8.3 You may also be subject to criminal prosecution.* If you or your guest/visitor is responsible for abusing fire notices or equipment you may be referred to the Director of Campus Life or the Disciplinary Committee.

  • Electrical Appliances
    • All electrical appliances must be used carefully, taking note of the electrical loading limits of the wiring and the danger of fire.
    • On campus, only appliances rated fewer than 2 amps should be used.
    • The University regularly tests all electrical items it supplies.
    • Irons and cooking appliances must in no circumstances be used in study bedrooms.
    • You must make sure that trailing cables of table lamps, radios, etc., do not constitute a hazard.
    • You must not attempt to repair any faulty appliance, remove light fittings, or light bulbs.
    • The University reserves the right to enter any study bedroom to investigate or repair an electrical fault, and to remove and/or confiscate any electrical or other equipment if it is deemed that its use is likely to cause a fire or other health and safety hazard.
    • To comply with legislation, any personal items of electrical equipment must be certified as safe by a qualified electrician and have a valid portable test certificate. The University reserves the right to remove items that have not been tested.
  • Personal Safety/Building Security
    • All external doors should be kept closed. You and your guests/visitors must enter only via the front or main entrances. Other doors are for emergency use only.
    • Do not allow people whom you do not know to enter any part of the accommodation. You are responsible for what happens within the accommodation and will be liable for any damage by person’s unknown.
    • Do not prop open doors.
    • Keep your own bedroom door locked, even if you will only be away a brief time.
    • When leaving your house/flat, make sure that all ground floor windows are secured.
    • If you jeopardise the security of a building by loaning your ID cards or keys, entering or exiting via windows, propping open doors, or letting in strangers, you may be subject to disciplinary action.
  • Hazardous Items/Behaviour
    • Real or replica firearms, air-powered guns, offensive weapons, fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics are not permitted in University accommodation or grounds.
    • Candles, incense burners, barbeques, electric fairy lights, electric blankets, heaters, grills and other naked flames are hazardous, and their use is not permitted in University accommodation.
    • The use of any type of chip pan or deep fat fryer is prohibited.
    • Barbeques may only be used in external, specially designated areas.
    • The playing of ball games, or using projectiles, etc. is not permitted within accommodation or close to residential areas.
    • The throwing of any objects from windows in residential areas is not permitted.
    • We may remove from the accommodation items that we consider to be hazardous or dangerous. If an item is removed, you will be contacted and advised how you may recover the item however such items cannot be brought back into accommodation.
  • Use of Alcohol
    • Being under the influence of alcohol does not justify or excuse irresponsible behaviour.
    • If you choose to consume alcohol, you are expected to do so in a responsible way. If the general permission to consume alcohol is abused, it may be limited or withdrawn at the discretion of the designated University Officer.
    • Guests/visitors under the influence of alcohol may be refused permission to enter or remain in accommodation.
    • The use of alcohol in public areas in some campuses is prohibited however, special written permission can be provided for alcohol consumption at special events. Where the approval to consume alcohol in public on University property is abused the University may withdraw that privilege.
    • Designated alcohol-free areas are available within University accommodation and should be respected by residents, their guests and visitors. Failure to do so may result in residents being transferred to non-alcohol-free areas and/or sanctioned via the Disciplinary Procedures.
  • Substance Misuse
    • The illegal possession of, or misuse of illegal/prescribed or any other drug related substances is illegal and against University policy. Any action that breaches any drugs-related legislation will be regarded as a serious disciplinary matter.
    • On all occasions, Residents found using drugs will be referred automatically to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Director of Campus Life who may refer to the University’s Disciplinary Committee.
    • Immediate action (which may include removal) may be taken if the safety or well-being of residents is affected, or the supply of drugs is involved.
    • This includes the use of any substance intended to produce a legal high, hallucinogenic or similar effect, as it may result in the termination of this agreement and your removal from University accommodation.
    • If you have information in relation to an arrestable offence you must inform the PSNI within a reasonable time. It is a criminal offence to occupy premises and knowingly allow drug related offences to take place.
  • Smoking Policy
    • In line with University policy, accommodation is completely non-smoking.
    • Smoking is prohibited inside buildings.
    • It is also prohibited at the entrance to some buildings.
    • Residents are asked to smoke at the designated smoking areas only.
    • This policy includes the use of e-cigarettes.
    • If you breach this policy, you will be subject to disciplinary action.
    • Residents who decide to smoke in designated areas externally are responsible for the appropriate disposal of used cigarettes in the ash bins provided.
  • Legionnaires
    • The University ensures that accommodation meets its statutory obligations under Legionella by inspecting, flushing, and sterilizing water outlets.
    • Students who have been away from accommodation for more than 7 days at any time should flush their toilets and run their shower/wash hand basins on returning.
  • Covid-19
    • You agree to abide by any Government and/or Public Health Agency guidelines that may operate and apply within Northern Ireland during the period of occupancy. Reference to Government within these Terms and Conditions shall mean local, regional or central government as applicable.
    • As the guidance issued by the Government and/or Public Health Agency is evolving and changing you agree to keep yourself informed and up to date with latest guidelines.
    • You agree to abide by the rules and guidance in relation to Covid-19 set out within these Terms & Conditions and available on the University website. View our Covid-19 information