What are the specific risks for fire?

The University has comprehensive arrangements in place designed to ensure students, staff and visitors are protected and safe from the risk of fire in any of its buildings.

The University’s fire safety arrangements include for example:

• fire detection and alarm systems installed to each building on the university estate and integrated into 24 / 7 monitoring by the Campus Security team and a third-party alarm monitoring company
• fire evacuation drills for each building are undertaken at least twice a year
• weekly fire alarm tests (usually on Thursdays)
• premises fire safety inspections
• stove guards installed to kitchens in all halls of residence
• planned maintenance of fire safety installations and equipment, including for example fire detection and alarm systems, smoke vents, electrical testing, fire doors, emergency lighting, fire hydrant.
• fire door inspections
• trained fire wardens
• the provision of Fire Fighting Equipment, such as extinguishers and fire blankets
• annual Fire Risk Assessment programme
• information for staff and students on fire safety awareness.

The Fire Safety Working Group meets monthly to review fire safety performance matters, including the monitoring of fire safety compliance standards across the university, reviewing new projects with fire safety implications, managing actions, and responding to new fire safety legislation. The Terms of Reference for the Working Group are available to read.

The Fire Safety Policy 2025 presents the university's corporate requirements and standards for fire safety.

Information for student residents in university properties is provided on-line when signing the tenancy agreement, and is in the Fire Information for Residents document. Students resident in university accommodation are also required to attend a 'Student Safety Talk' where fire safety information is presented with the support of the Fire and Rescue Service. 

Fire safety in sleeping accommodation

All university residencies have comprehensive fire detection and alarm systems installed with 24/7 on-site monitoring by Campus Security, who provide a first response capability to investigate an alarm activation. Emergency evacuation drills for each residency are undertaken through the academic year to ensure residents understand and are familiar with the actions to take in an emergency. 

Fire safety in non-sleeping accommodation

All teaching and professional services buildings have automatic detection and alarm systems installed, which signal to 24/7 monitoring by the on-site Campus Security team. Certain teaching activities present specific fire hazards with the detection and alarm systems configured to detect and respond to the hazard. All staff are required to complete mandatory on-line fire safety training, with fire warden training made available to all, and first responder training provided to certain job roles.

If you have a concern on any fire safety issue, then please contact safety@northampton.ac.uk

There is also a homepage that lists the range of Health and Safety risks identified as relevant to the University's activities and facilities, together with information on the University's policies and arrangements on how these risks are to be managed and controlled.