Fire alarm tests moving to during working hours

Weekly fire alarm tests will be carried out between 09:00-17:00 from 1 October 2024.

Our tests are currently carried out before 9am. However a change is needed to meet current fire safety requirements, which state tests should be during normal working hours.

Testing during the working day allows building occupants to become familiar with the sound of the alarms and to report any issues with them.

The timing of the fire alarm tests will vary between buildings but, once set, will take place on the same day and at the same time each week.

Notices will be permanently displayed next to entry points to buildings, stating the day and time of that building’s fire alarm test.

Tests will not occur during scheduled semester assessment periods.

Consideration has been given to those with sensory stresses and to the impact on Yuja lecture recordings. The tests will therefore only last for approximately 5 seconds.

It remains best practice for lecturers to inform their students at the start of the lecture of any scheduled fire alarm tests.

This change will also be communicated to students so they are aware of potential interruptions.