Our Resident Engagement Strategy (RES) applies to residents living in University of Birmingham-owned buildings. To view the RES for our partner accommodation, please visit each provider's website:
Building Safety Act
The Building Safety Act 2022 is legislation in England and Wales that plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of buildings – particularly residential buildings. In line with the new law, we’re required to keep comprehensive documentation of how our buildings are designed, built, maintained, and changed.
There are additional regulations for tall buildings, which include those exceeding 18 meters in height or comprising seven or more floors. Not all of our student accommodation buildings fall into this category, but some of them do.
As part of the requirements under the Building Safety Act, we have nominated a Principle Accountable Person (PAP) who is responsible for ensuring compliance with safety regulations. The PAP is University of Birmingham and the key contact is Timothy Owen, Interim Director of Accommodation and Operations. You can get in touch with him through the Student Living Helpdesk.
A key part of the Building Safety Act is establishing a Resident Engagement Strategy. This strategy, as outlined below, sets out how we will inform you about building safety decisions and any necessary works, plus how we will engage with you to ensure your voice is heard before we make any changes.
Our Resident Engagement Strategy
At University of Birmingham, your safety is our top priority. We are dedicated to keeping you informed about our safety protocols and will clearly communicate any unforeseen circumstances. This includes comprehensive measures for fire safety, electrical safety, structural safety, and overall security.
The Resident Engagement Strategy is formed of three key elements:
- To engage with residents whilst living within our accommodation
- To keep residents informed of any relevant updates or works taking place
- To empower residents to share their queries or concerns
Engage
- Staying up to date – we will engage with you through email, the Accommodation Portal, and our website. We will also ensure key messages are shared across our noticeboards to ensure that information is readily available and easily accessible.
- Speak to the team – each accommodation building has a Customer Service Manager (CSM) who you can contact to discuss any queries or concerns you may have. Our accommodation is staffed 24/7, 365 days a year, so there will always be someone around to help.
- Share your opinions – we will be actively seeking your opinions in order to shape this strategy; look out for 'Meet your CSM' sessions, which will be advertised in your monthly Student Living newsletter, as well as the opportunity to join focus groups. Outside of these, you can share your opinions by talking to your reception team or CSM. You can also contact us through the Student Living Helpdesk.
We also meet quarterly with representatives from the Guild of Students and will discuss this Resident Engagement Strategy at each meeting to ensure your student voice is heard.
Inform
We will keep you updated on all information relating to the safety of the building you live in. We carry out regular safety checks throughout the year, including testing of fire alarm systems and smoke detectors, fire door checks, and patrols of fire escape routes.
Where these works involve entering your accommodation, you will always be informed in advance. Most activity will not disturb you; we will let you know before work takes place if we believe it will.
Relevant information
We will only share information with you relating to the building you live in. This way you can be sure you are only seeing information that's relevant to you.
Request information
If there is further information you would like regarding the building you live in, please contact us and we will share this with you as soon as possible. Depending on the nature of the request, we will confirm what timeframe you will receive this in. We are always available to talk through the details of any information we hold if needed.
Empower
We will ensure you have all of the information you need to keep yourself safe within student accommodation. This includes details of evacuation routes, how to prevent a fire, and what to do in the event of a fire.
If you have any concerns, you can get in touch with your CSM, contactable through your village reception, at any time. If you have a complaint you would like to make in relation to building safety, please complete our Accommodation Complaints Form.
Look out for our student satisfaction surveys in autumn and spring where you can share your views about your accommodation. We will use your feedback to inform our strategy, so please let us know what you really think.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that our accommodation remains safe.
Our responsibilities
We will:
- Promptly tell you if we identify any issues with your building’s structure, electrical components or safety systems. We'll share timelines for resolutions, as well as what we are doing to keep you safe whilst repairs take place.
- Share fire safety and prevention information with you both before you move in and whilst you are living with us, and we will share any updates in relation to fire safety.
- Carry out regular Fire Risk Assessments for each building, as well as audits on all our safety systems. These include smoke detectors, fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors and escape routes.
- Ensure fire escape routes are kept clear and clearly identify emergency exit routes. We will also ensure an evacuation plan is available in every flat.
- Carry out annual fire drills to ensure you are aware of the evacuation process and route
- Keep your safety as our priority when making decisions
Your responsibilities
Please:
- Read and understand the fire safety information provided in your Accommodation Pass, building's Code of Practice documents, and the fire safety emails we send you
- Understand the evacuation procedures and ensure your guests are also aware
- Leave the building whenever you hear the fire alarm
- Immediately report any faults or concerns with equipment – including fire fighting equipment, fire doors and smoke detectors – through the Accommodation Portal
- Do not tamper with safety equipment or prop open fire doors
- Ensure your flat and room is kept clear of rubbish
- Tell us if you have any safety concerns