Safeguarding Students with Specialist Student Accommodation Fire Protection
Student accommodation buildings can be home to thousands of students leaving home for the first time, and whilst many are no doubt having the time of their lives, the threat of fire is ever present.
People can leave ovens on, and forget to close fire doors, creating the perfect backdrop for potentially deadly fires to spread. This combined with the density of students within these buildings, makes fire protection in student accommodation a non-negotiable.
The challenges of fire compartmentation in student accommodationÂ
Student accommodation buildings are high density areas that see a lot of everyday use. With many inexperienced residents, learning to cook for the first time.
This presents obvious fire risks. Additionally, large student blocks of flats contain many bedrooms, all housing their own Electric Appliances. It only takes one faulty connector, plug socket or battery to malfunction, generating heat and potentially providing the initial spark for a fire.
Plus many accommodation buildings have complex service layouts, with shower pumps, HVAC vents, and holes for wiring. These complexities need to be considered when delivering passive fire protection to student accommodations.
Importance of fire doors in student housing
Fire doors are so important in student accommodation buildings, that we often recommend specific additions to fire doors for student housing.
One addition are automatic closers on all internal fire doors. In order to function as intended, most fire doors need to be kept closed at all times to maintain proper compartmentation. So these closers add an extra layer of protection on top of the average fire door. By making sure that even in the event of someone forgetting to fully close the door, they still remain functional.
Fire stopping in student communal areas
Fire protection for student accommodations encompasses so much more than installing a fire door to a flat.
Another important consideration when completing fire stopping works in student buildings, are communal areas. From the corridors connecting flats, to shared kitchens and common rooms, communal spaces are an important part of the university experience for many students.
Also many escape routes may also rely on using communal spaces, especially corridors, making them potentially deadly evacuation bottle necks, should any fire stop becoming damaged.
That’s why alongside fire door installation, we often carry out full Fire Risk Assessment for student accommodation, ensuring all gaps, pipes, ductwork and walls are fit for purpose.
Keep your student accommodation buildings compliant with Pre-Planned Maintenance (PPM)
Our PPM packages give landlords and universities a better way to manage fire door compliance. With regular servicing, you stay ahead of compliance - while protecting your budget from avoidable surprises.
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Protect your budget from surprises
Our scheduled approach means fewer emergencies and better forecasting
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Catch issues before they escalate
We resolve minor issues before they cause compliance failures
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Reduce long term repair costs
Regular maintenance reduces the need for major replacements
