Life Safety Systems
The University has statutory requirements for life safety systems across the estate. These include:
Fire alarms
We operate 50 fire alarm panels covering the entire site 24/7. Across the estate smoke, heat, air sampling and interfaces devices connected to these panels, which provide early indication of smoke or fire and notify the building users and security of the production of smoke, which occasionally is from a toaster!!
Smoke Ventilation
There are 9 smoke clearance systems in buildings through the campus, which vary in style and nature depending on specific needs. These ensure the building escape routes are clear for escape and for fire fighting purposes as required.
Gas Extinguishing systems
Some of the critical systems and facilities on site have automated fire fighting systems using FM200 or Novec gas. The systems are designed to detect the early evidence of a fire starting and discharge the gas to extinguish the fire and stop damage to delicate or valuable equipment.
Emergency lighting
In the event of emergency, power to a room, area or building may be lost. At home you would use a torch, phone or moon light to continue your activity, or leave the house. The University has an extensive range (1000s) of self-contained, or centralised emergency lighting systems, which will maintain a lighting level within the buildings to allow escape from all areas, even if the mains fails, or significant damage has occurred to a part of the building.
Emergency Evacuation Phones
We have a number of refuge points in the more recent buildings which have fire rated communication systems for part escape purposes, for those with limited mobility. Should a full evacuation be required these systems allow communication from a control position.
Lightning Protection systems
The high rise building on site have a network of earthed metallic tapes which in the event of a thunder and lightning storm would direct the energy down to the ground rather than through the conductive elements of the building, causing fire or explosion.