This page has information about health, safety, and security while you are staying in University accommodation.
Health
When you arrive at St Andrews, you must register with a doctor at the St Andrews Community Hospital.
If you are taken to hospital through injury or illness and are required to remain there over one or more nights, you must contact Student Services or your wardennial team. They can provide you with assistance while you are in hospital, and it is important they know you are not in hall for fire safety purposes. Please also inform your wardennial team once you return to hall.
There are first-aid boxes in each residence, and a first-aider will always be present on site. There will be a notice close to your room stating who the first-aiders for your hall are.
The University does not condone the use of any prohibited substances. All staff involved in running accommodation have a legal duty to report any information about illegal drug use. If you feel you are having problems with drugs or are worried about a friend, please do not hesitate to seek advice from your wardennial team.
Alcohol is not essential to enjoy the experience of student life, and when consumed in excessive amounts it can have a negative effect and could lead to unexpected and unwanted consequences.
If you want to enjoy alcohol, please bear in mind your personal safety and the safety of others while under the influence. Look after yourself and your friends, and remember that if you have guests or visitors, you are responsible for them.
You will be charged for any damage or cleaning required by yourself or one of your guests while under the influence.
If you feel that you are experiencing a problem with alcohol, or know someone else who is, please do not hesitate to contact a member of your wardennial team or Student Services.
If you have chosen to accept alcohol-free accommodation, you have agreed not to drink alcohol in the apartment. If you do, you will receive a written warning. If you drink alcohol for a second time, you will be moved to another residence at the University’s discretion. You will be held responsible for your guests and visitors complying with these conditions while they are in your apartment.
Smoking (including with e-cigarettes) is strictly forbidden in any University building, including student bedrooms.
If you smoke, allow your guests to smoke, or tamper with any smoke detectors or fire safety equipment within the residence, you will be required to attend a disciplinary meeting with your residential services manager and be subject to a charge and a written warning.
If you or your guests are caught smoking for a second time or breach any other health and safety regulation within your residence, you will be referred to the Director of Residential and Business Services (or delegated person) who will review your contract. At this stage, you may be asked to leave your University accommodation and be banned from re-applying.
In the case of significant health and safety breaches, a first warning will not be given and your residence service manager has the authority to refer you straight to the Director of Residential and Business Services for a contract review.
Under the Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Premises (Scotland) 2006, it may be against the law to smoke in enclosed areas such as doorways. Please ask your wardennial team about where it is appropriate to smoke.
Security
All efforts are made to ensure the premises of your accommodation are secure.
Please lock your bedroom at all times when your room is not occupied. The University cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal property.
The main doors to your residence will be locked at all times. If you are entering or leaving the building, please make sure that the door is closed properly and locks behind you.
Please do not allow anyone to enter the residence unless you are sure that they are a resident, a guest of a resident or are there with the University’s permission. This is to ensure both your own security and that of others.
If you see someone near the residence and are concerned about their presence or see them acting suspiciously, please contact a member of the residence management or wardennial team immediately.
Students are prohibited from bringing dangerous or offensive weapons into halls of residence or any other University-owned property. Any item of this nature will be confiscated, and you will be subject to disciplinary action.
Certain sports equipment (for example, fencing foils or archery equipment) can be classified as offensive or dangerous. You may only bring these items into the residence once your residential services manager has received confirmation from the Sports Centre that you are a member of the appropriate official University Club.
All emergency and fire escape routes must be kept clear of all obstructions at all times.
Rooms and kitchens are fitted with fire doors, and these are in place to prevent smoke and fire spreading; they should never be wedged open.
Anyone tampering with fire safety equipment – including covering or disconnecting smoke detectors, call points, extinguishers, fire blankets or fire exit signs – is endangering your life and the lives of fellow residents and will be reported to the University authorities. Anyone caught doing so will undergo disciplinary procedures and may be evicted from their residence, permanently banned from returning to student accommodation, and referred to the police.
You are not allowed to have certain items (such as candles) in your room because they are a fire hazard. If you are caught with these items in your room, even if they are being used purely for decoration, they will be confiscated and you could face a charge. See a list of prohibited items.
If you discover a fire
If you discover a fire, break the glass on the nearest red fire alarm call point.
Once safe to do so, call 999 (or 9999 from an internal phone) and give the operator details of the cause of fire and location.
Vacate the building in a safe and sensible manner.
Details of the fire alarm and evacuation procedures can be found on the Fire Safety Information poster in your room. You should familiarise yourself with all the fire exits as soon as possible.
All bedrooms in the residences are fitted with smoke detectors. If the fire alarm sounds, you must exit the building by the nearest fire exit in a safe and sensible manner.
Do not stop to collect personal items, and do not use the lift.
If the alarm sounds at night, you must go to your assembly point as quickly and quietly as you can and wait for a register of residents to be taken before you seek shelter elsewhere. Registers are only taken during the night as you are in class during the day.
You are not permitted to re-enter the building until a member of staff or the fire service tells you it is safe to do so.
There will be at least one compulsory fire drill during each semester.
This is to make sure all residents are aware of the fire evacuation procedures and the sound of the fire alarm.
During a fire drill, all students must vacate the building in a prompt and safe manner and are asked to cooperate with the staff on site.
The fire alarm systems are fairly sensitive and are easily triggered by steam from cooking or showers. You are asked to exercise caution when using hair dryers, straighteners, aerosols and when cooking.
Never leave your cooking unattended. Line grill pans or trays with foil which helps to prevent the build-up of fat which generates a lot of smoke.
The fire service attends several false alarms throughout the year to the various University residences, and while they are doing so, they may not be able to attend a genuine emergency. It is the responsibility of all residents to do all they can to prevent false alarms.