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Fire & Safety & Security

Fire safety & Residential Orientation Presentations

At the beginning of the first term, usually early in October, a series of Fire Safety and Orientation presentations are held for all residents on campus and at Trinity Hall. The presentation includes an introduction to living in College, advice on crime prevention and the security of personal property. The main element focuses on fire safety. Because of the importance of fire safety in residences attendance is compulsory and non-attendance may result in a fine being imposed by the Junior Dean or the Warden at Trinity Hall.

Further details on Fire Safety, Fire Prevention and Action in the Event of a Fire are contained in the Residents' Handbook:

Fire Safety & Emergency Procedures

You should familiarise yourself with the fire escape routes for your building and the designated assembly points. This information is posted on room doors within apartments and additional information is available in the Residents' Handbook. Escape routes are provided usually in modern or renovated buildings in the form of a protected single staircase, otherwise alternative escape routes are provided (see below). Keep fire doors closed and keep fire exit doors unobstructed. All doors leading on to stairwells must be kept closed at all times and under no circumstances should doors be wedged open for any reason. Doors that are found to be propped open on a regular basis should be closed and the matter reported to Front Gate or the Accommodation Office. Please note that in Goldsmith Hall, the doors between apartments marked as fire doors are not designated escape routes and are kept locked at all times. Please also note that in House 81 at Trinity Hall, the interconnecting doors separating apartments are designated escape routes and will open in the event of a fire alarm activation.

Escape Routes

In Goldsmith Hall, Botany Bay, Pearse Street Houses 47 to 52 and House 28 the main staircases act as escape routes. Houses 33 and 34, Houses 36 and 37 (New Square) interconnect with alternative exit routes at several levels. Houses 38 to 40 have escape routes connecting to House 39. House 35 has two internal staircases. Houses 7, 8, 9 and 10 (Front Square) are linked to adjoining houses at the third floor level. Houses 22 to 24 (Rubrics) are linked at top floor level. Houses 25 to 26 (Rubrics) are also linked at top floor level. House 30 (GMB) has an emergency staircase at the inner end of the corridor.

Fire Precautions

Take all necessary fire safety precautions as advised in the Residents' Handbook. In particular do not overload plugs, use chip pans that are not thermostatically controlled, or light candles or incense burners. Do not dry clothing on radiators or leave combustible materials nearby (such as piles of newspapers etc.). Do not leave gas heaters, electric/gas ovens or hobs switched on when unattended. Never leave furniture in front of or touching electric or gas heaters. Be aware that wardrobe or other doors can swing open onto gas heaters and should always be tightly shut to prevent this occurring. When using gas heating or cooking appliances ensure that there is adequate ventilation at all times.

Fire Extinguishers and Fire Safety Equipment

All residences are equipped with a selection of fire safety systems that includes fire alarms, smoke detection systems, fire extinguishers and fire blankets. It is important that if you notice any fire safety equipment, extinguishers, blankets or smoke detectors that look as if they may have been tampered with report it immediately - for Campus, please contact the Front Gate security at 8961999 and for Trinity Hall residents. please contact the Accommodation Office at 4971772. Servicing of fire extinguishers/fire blankets in residences takes place on a rolling programme throughout the year. To prevent fire alarms being accidentally activated, residents are asked to ensure that extractor fans in the kitchens are turned on when using cooking appliances. Similarly, extractor fans in bathrooms should be turned on when bathrooms are in use and all bathroom doors kept closed to ensure that fire alarm equipment is not activated due to excess steam build-up. Needless to say, it is a serious offence to tamper with any fire safety equipment and as a resident it is important to remember it is in the interest of everyone living on campus to ensure that these items are not tampered with.

The cost of refilling a kitchen powder extinguisher is €40 and replacement is €100.
The cost of refilling a water extinguisher is €50 and replacement is €80.

Fire Drills and Fire Alarm Testing

The College Safety Officer regularly carries out fire drills and the Buildings Office undertake fire alarm testing in residences. It is expected that all residents fully co-operate with and respond to signals to evacuate buildings. All alarm activations should be considered as real and residents should proceed to exit the building immediately. Residents must not return to their buildings until informed that it is safe to do so by a person in authority.

Security Advice

The website of the Irish Police, An Garda Siochana, contains very helpful information on crime prevention and on violence against women.

Pearse Street Garda Station is responsible for a large part of the Dublin 2 area including the campus and the surrounding streets.

Rathmines Garda Station is responsible for Trinity Hall as well as much of the surrounding area :

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Last updated: February 23 2012
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