Emergencies & safety in student residences
Identify the situation first. Calling the emergency services and protecting yourself take priority over a technical report or documentation.
Fire or heavy smoke
- Warn others and leave the building by the marked escape routes.
- Do not use a lift or go back inside.
- Call 112 and state the location and situation.
- Close doors only where it is safe to do so.
Smoke alarms must not be removed, covered, opened or tampered with. Report repeated beeping with no visible smoke as a technical fault; the responsible specialist will inspect it.
Medical emergency
Call 112, describe the person’s condition and follow the control centre’s instructions. Give first aid within your abilities and do not put yourself in danger.
Violence, threats or an immediate police emergency
Keep your distance, find a safe place and call 110. Do not confront the person if doing so increases the risk. After a distressing situation, the advice overview can guide you to suitable further support.
Burglary or suspicious activity
Do not enter a potentially unsafe area or disturb evidence. Call 110 if an incident is in progress or there is immediate danger. Also report non-urgent damage to a door or lock through the technical route; residence management coordinates repairs and any further contractual matters.
Smell of gas, electrical danger or major water leak
- Leave the area and warn others where there may be danger.
- Do not operate electrical switches and avoid ignition sources if you smell gas.
- For immediate danger or an injured person, call 112.
- Where nobody is in danger, use the local on-call or contractor contact from the current notice.
- Do not open or repair any installation yourself.
Buildings, escape routes & smoking
Corridors, stairwells, entrances and escape routes must remain clear. Fire doors and safety equipment must not be blocked. The official house rules prohibit smoking in communal spaces; wider local or contractual restrictions may apply. 1)
Do not leave entrance doors permanently open or pass on keys or access devices.
Non-urgent safety defect
A damaged external door, faulty smoke alarm or blocked safety device may be urgent. Where there is no immediate danger, use the local technical route or tenant portal according to urgency and give the exact location.