Students at the University of Lincoln have been told to vacate their privately owned accommodation amidst fire safety fears. Around 500 students at the University of Lincoln have been told they need to leave their university accommodation following the results of a recent fire risk assessment.
Several issues at the privately owned residential building, The Gateway, were uncovered by independent fire consultants. In particular, they found there was a need to make “improvements to fire stopping and stairwells to enhance internal fire compartmentation.”
Assessment results
The university, which leases the building, received the results of the assessment on 10 October 2022, following which it took immediate action, including adding additional fire safety inspections and marshals.
However, it commented that this was not a long-term solution, and students would need to be relocated until remedial works had been completed by the landlord.
fire safety issues
We have concluded it is in the best interests of our students to vacate the building"
The university confirmed the fire safety issues in an email to students, which read, “Student safety is our utmost priority and, while other mitigation measures can manage fire safety risks in the interim, having consulted with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.
"We have concluded it is in the best interests of our students to vacate the building while we liaise with the building owner to make the necessary improvements.”
fire safety measures and evacuation review
On the FAQ page of the university website, staff added, “The University regularly reviews fire safety measures and evacuation procedures in all our academic and residential buildings to ensure they are of the highest standard."
"We routinely test fire alarms, conduct evacuation drills and provide fire safety guidance, with a fire marshal system in place across the University.”
alternative living arrangements
The university has stated that it is unlikely that students will be able to return to The Gateway for the academic year as the remedial works are expected to take several months and have yet to be scheduled by the landlord.
In the meantime, students have been offered alternative living arrangements from the university’s portfolio and “third-party student accommodation providers in the city”.
student accommodations
Students living on the top two floors were asked to vacate on 21 October
To offset the disruption that students will face, the university has said it will “arrange removals at no cost to students when they move to their new residence,” and help will also be available for packing and unpacking. It is estimated that the university will pay upwards of £250,000 to students for their relocation, which includes a £500 one-off payment to each student as an “apology for the inconvenience.”
Following discussions with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, students living on the top two floors were asked to vacate on 21 October. All remaining students will need to move out by 28 October.
concern and frustration
Unsurprisingly, students have expressed their concern and frustration at being asked to leave their accommodation so soon after moving in at the beginning of the academic year. One student told The Lincoln Tab, “We got an email at about 10:30 am yesterday out of the blue telling us we were having to leave the building."
“Many people in Gateway live in studio apartments so being told we would be moved and not knowing where was a scary thought,” they added. Another student told Lincolnshire Live, “It's been more than stressful, everyone's just got settled in and used to it. People are angry and upset."
minimizing inconvenience
"I and my friends have all been crying because we have to move. Everyone here has a studio that they wanted for whatever personal reasons, and now we're moving to shared accommodation and getting what's left elsewhere.”
A spokesperson for the university said, “We completely understand this is an unsettling time for students. Please be assured that we are doing all that we can to minimize any inconvenience to them in the present circumstances. Staff from across the university, working with the Accommodation Services team, are relocating students into alternative accommodation.”
