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Message following Bolton Student Accommodation

18/11/2019

Following the fire at a student residence in in Bolton at the weekend the University of Wolverhampton has sought to reassure its students about the safety of its sleeping accommodation.

The University owns and manages a range of student accommodation across its estate in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Telford.

These buildings all undergo regular fire risk assessments and have fully integrated fire warning systems, emergency lighting and fire compartmentation which are all supported by thorough fire risk assessment procedures which are tested at regular intervals.

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire in London in June 2017, the University acted swiftly to carry out urgent checks of all of its buildings.

All of the University’s halls of residence were identified as being brick, block and concrete structures. All University buildings are regularly inspected and monitored as part of our Health and Safety, and specifically Fire Safety processes and procedures.

The University also sought to work with its academies, partner organisations with which it rents space and private providers of student accommodation to seek safety assurances.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “Our thoughts are with those who were affected by the fire in Bolton at the weekend.

“Following Grenfell we, along with other public bodies, sought to establish as soon as possible whether any of our own residential accommodation was affected.

“None of the University Halls of Residence across our campuses were identified as being a risk and we hope that provides reassurance.

“The safety and security of our students, staff and visitors is always our primary priority.”

An official donation page has been set up for students affected by the fire. The Just Giving page is being managed by Forever Manchester as part of the Greater Manchester Disaster Relief Fund. www.justgiving.com/campaign/BoltonStudentFlatsFireAppeal

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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