Health & safety
ACE staff manage and monitor health and safety through the University’s Health and Safety Policy, and our Response Team is available 24/7. Using the following guidance helps protect you, your friends, and your belongings.
When you arrive in Edinburgh, register with a doctor.
If you feel unwell, contact your doctor. If it’s an emergency, call an ambulance.
Keep your doors locked at all times.
Always close your windows when you leave.
Keep your keys in a safe place.
Remove any address labels on them. If your keys are lost or stolen, report it immediately.
Store personal items like laptops, phones, and passports in a secure place.
Make sure your insurance covers valuable items such as bikes, phones, and computers.
Please read the fire safety notices in your room/flat.
On hearing a fire alarm, you must evacuate the building immediately. You may not re-enter until the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service give you permission to do so. It is a criminal offence to fail to evacuate the building when the alarm sounds. Any student who fails to evacuate will be fined up to £250 under the Code of Student Conduct.
Stay safe at night.
Stick to well-lit routes and don’t allow strangers to follow you into the building. Challenge politely or report concerns to staff.
Do not tamper with window safety features.
Where fitted, security chains or safety catches should not be removed or interfered with.
Dispose of rubbish properly.
Take rubbish to the designated bin areas regularly. Take extra care with sharp items. If you need special disposal (e.g. broken glass), ask a member of staff for advice.
Store food in sealed containers.
This will avoid attracting pests. Clean up spills straight away to keep the area hygienic and prevent slips.
Report repairs.
Let the Property Team know about any repairs as soon as possible.
Ask for help when you need it.
Our Residence Life Team, Property Team and Response Team are all here to help you. Report anything suspicious to our Response Team or University of Edinburgh's Central Security.
When you arrive in Edinburgh, register with a doctor.
If you feel unwell, contact your doctor. If it’s an emergency, call an ambulance.
Keep your doors locked at all times.
Always close your windows when you leave.
Keep your keys in a safe place.
Remove any address labels on them. If your keys are lost or stolen, report it immediately.
Store personal items like laptops, phones, and passports in a secure place.
Make sure your insurance covers valuable items such as bikes, phones, and computers.
Please read the fire safety notices in your room/flat.
On hearing a fire alarm, you must evacuate the building immediately. You may not re-enter until the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service give you permission to do so. It is a criminal offence to fail to evacuate the building when the alarm sounds. Any student who fails to evacuate will be fined up to £250 under the Code of Student Conduct.
Stay safe at night.
Stick to well-lit routes and don’t allow strangers to follow you into the building. Challenge politely or report concerns to staff.
Do not tamper with window safety features.
Where fitted, security chains or safety catches should not be removed or interfered with.
Dispose of rubbish properly.
Take rubbish to the designated bin areas regularly. Take extra care with sharp items. If you need special disposal (e.g. broken glass), ask a member of staff for advice.
Store food in sealed containers.
This will avoid attracting pests. Clean up spills straight away to keep the area hygienic and prevent slips.
Report repairs.
Let the Property Team know about any repairs as soon as possible.
Ask for help when you need it.
Our Residence Life Team, Property Team and Response Team are all here to help you. Report anything suspicious to our Response Team or University of Edinburgh's Central Security.
Fire safety in your accommodation
Most fires in student accommodation are preventable. Follow our guidance below while living with us. Serious breaches of fire safety, including tampering with smoke alarms, may result in action under the Code of Student Conduct and legal action.
Leave the building straight away and follow the instructions on the Fire Action Notice.
Never use a lift when the fire alarm is sounding.
You are legally required to evacuate when the alarm sounds. Failing to leave the building can result in a fine of up to £250 under the Code of Student Conduct.
Do not re-enter the building until the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service says it’s safe.
To safely evacuate those who are mobility-impaired:
Pollock Halls
In the event of a fire alert, if a mobility-impaired person is on an upper floor, the student they are visiting must call the ACE Response Team on 0131 651 4083 to advise that they have a mobility-impaired person who requires evacuation from the building.
John Burnett House
In the event of a fire alert, if there is a mobility-impaired student in house, the student who they are visiting must ensure that:
the person is taken to the central staircase
that they wait with the student and for instructions via the communications panel.
If it is unsafe to get into the central staircase, the person should be taken to another staircase and should both stay there communicating via the communications panel.
Other residences
It is the students' responsibility to evacuate the mobility-impaired person. In the event of a fire, they should contact the ACE Response Team on 0131 651 4083 and inform them.
Prohibited items in all accommodation areas:
Gas/oil heater or other fuel-burning appliances, including candles, deep fat fryers, fireworks and joss sticks.
E-bikes, e-scooters, hover boards, e-skateboards, electrical mopeds, drones and any other similar items cannot be stored or charged in your accommodation unless in a dedicated charging or storage facility.
Prohibited items in bedrooms:
Personal kettles, fridges or other cooking or food storage equipment
Irons and clothes washing/drying equipment
Electric heaters and dehumidifiers
3D printers
Breaches of fire safety will be dealt with under the Student Code of Conduct and may result in fines of up to £250. If prohibited items are found, you’ll be asked to remove them. Any damage caused may be charged to you.
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Keep hobs, grills, and pans clean and free from grease
- Always close the kitchen door while cooking
- Use extractor fans or open windows for ventilation but never wedge fire doors open
Burnt food, toast, or dirty grills are one of the main causes of fire alarms.
Never tamper with:
- Smoke or heat detectors
- Door closers
- Fire alarms or extinguishers
Interfering with fire safety equipment is extremely dangerous and can lead to fines of up to £250, charges for repairs, and further disciplinary action. Keep fire doors closed at all times.
- Check appliances are switched off before leaving your room or flat
- Don’t overload plug sockets
- Only use electrical items that meet safety regulations
- Never charge phones or laptops on your bed or sofa, always use a hard surface
- Don’t cover heaters or place furniture close to them
- Keep flammable items well away from heaters
- Any soft furnishings you bring must meet fire safety regulations
- Posters near cookers or grills are a fire risk, keep these areas clear
- Guests should sleep in bedrooms only, not kitchens or shared areas
- You are responsible for your guests’ behaviour while they are visiting
- Store bicycles only in designated bike storage areas
- Bikes must not block corridors or fire exits
- Ask staff if you’re unsure where bike storage is located