Review of building cladding is being undertaken at Mayflower

Mayflower Halls Cladding Review programme FAQ

Why are investigations required? 

An initial review of the cladding system at Mayflower Halls will be undertaken over the coming months to ascertain compliance with updated building safety regulations.  

Under Building Safety Act regulations, the University is obliged to notify you, our residents, and the regulatory body if any potential fire safety issues are identified.   

Why are the investigations being carried out now? 

The University leases the building and at taking possession of the building in 2014, all information that was provided to us indicated that cladding was in accordance with the building regulations at the time of construction. Building Safety regulations have been updated in recent years and as part of regular programme of compliance checks university investigations have been progressed to ensure the cladding meets current standards. 

Disruption to residents with investigations being non-intrusive initially and latter works requiring panel checks being external.  

Separate to the above investigations annual routine cladding works remedial works will be undertaken via abseiling teams between 23 March and 30 April. These works will address loose fixings and some render repairs and are separate to the investigation works. These works will be conducted between 9:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday. There may be some minimal noise disruption during these works and abseiling contractors will be working on areas outside bedroom windows at times. 

Living in Mayflower Halls 

·       Is Mayflower Halls safe to live in right now? 

Yes, the building has robust fire strategies in place so that swift action can be taken in the incidence of a fire. This includes: 

• Smoke and heat detection devices located in all occupied areas (rooms, kitchens, corridors and communal areas) with a fully linked alarm system that notifies locally and signals to our Central Control room and Mayflower reception. 

• Sprinkler system in place that will suppress a fire should there be an incident. 

• Staff on site 24/7 to react to any incident that may arise. 

• Fire doors located on all bedroom, flat and kitchen doors with Essential Information notices with details of fire assembly points. 

• Fire escapes are maintained and inspected throughout any works on site to ensure all students can escape the building should an alarm activate. 

• Weekly testing of all fire detection equipment alongside monthly inspections of fire blankets and fire extinguishers. 

• Fire drills during periods of occupation alongside fire safety education for residents in pre-arrival induction and materials available on the Halls Life site. 

Fire safety is a vital part of life in halls, and safeguarding our residents remains our top priority 

What would happen if there were a fire before the works are completed? 

We have robust procedures in place should a fire occur. If there was a fire in the building before the works were completed, all systems would work as designed to keep residents and visitors safe.  We have responsive heat and smoke detection systems in place, along with sprinkler systems to suppress a fire. If one of the detectors is activated the alarm will sound, remain calm and exit the building as soon as you can making your way to the designated fire evacuation point for the building (This information can be found on Essential Information notices on the back of all room doors and building entrances). The fire evacuation point for Mayflower Halls is Wyndham Court (what three words location: ///before.woods.area). Our fire wardens will quickly assess the area and take any actions that are needed. Residents will remain at the fire evacuation point until it is deemed safe to return to the building by the fire warden on duty. 

Please note that in instances of a detector being activated lifts will return to the ground floor, doors will open and the lift and will remain out of action until the activation investigation has been completed. 

Full details on fire safety in halls, including how to prevent fires and false alarms, can be found on the Halls Life site. 

Support and Wellbeing 

Who can I speak to if I’m anxious or unsure about the situation? 

We will be hosting a drop-in session in Mayflower A block common room on Thursday 19 March from 16:00 to 17:00. This is an opportunity to speak to staff about the upcoming works. 

The Student Hub and Student Wellbeing team are available 24/7 and can be contacted for any worries or concerns you have regarding this.