Students & partiesThe shortage of student rooms is also bringing rogue landlords back out of the woodwork. They often let rooms that do not comply with fire safety rules at all.
A fire can start anytime, anywhere, including in student rooms! That’s why it’s essential for students to realise how important it is to have enough smoke alarms and a well-rehearsed escape plan.
As a parent, are you sure your son or daughter’s student room is (fire-)safe?
Recent incidents
2014 – A major fire broke out in a student house in Leuven this morning; the fire brigade is still damping down. Two female students were killed in the fire; they were living on the top floor. According to the mayor of Leuven, the building had not been inspected for fire safety. Source: Het Nieuwsblad
2018 – Five students were taken to hospital this morning after a major fire in Leuven. Around ten fellow residents had to be evacuated from the student house on Parkstraat. Source: Het Laatste Nieuws
2020 – Pan of oil on cooker causes fire in student residence on Brusselsestraat in Leuven. The fire brigade arrived quickly and soon had the blaze under control. Nobody was injured, and nobody was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation. It is not yet known how much damage the fire caused. Source: Het Laatste Nieuws
2021 – A fire broke out in a student house in Saint-Gilles last night. One student was overcome by the smoke, the Brussels fire brigade reports. Source: Bruzz
2022 – At around 5.30 on Wednesday morning, the Leuven fire brigade received a fire alarm from a student building on Mechelsestraat. When firefighters arrived, they noticed a smell of burnt food. All residents had been evacuated except one, whose studio was still locked. The fire brigade had no choice but to break the lock. The smoke turned out to be coming from a pan on the hob. The resident was asleep in the room. The pan was taken outside and the room was aired. Source: Leuven Actueel
Some students have their say
Lieselotte (19) has her doubts about the safety measures in her student house. “My landlord has never said anything about prevention. Officially we’re not allowed to smoke, but people do. The smoke alarm is broken and my landlord never comes to check.” Lieselotte’s house does have a fire escape ladder, but she doubts it would lead her to safety. Source: VRT
Rachelle (21) rents a student room in central Brussels. She feels her landlord has taken sufficient fire safety measures. “We were given a tour, and the landlord showed us all the smoke alarms. There’s one in every room and every corridor. There are also several fire extinguishers on every floor. There are even emergency exit signs,” the student says. Source: VRT
Joppe (26) shares a student house with a few friends in Molenbeek. He didn’t consciously look at fire safety, but rather at the price and location of his accommodation. “If there was a fire, I wouldn’t immediately know the best way to get out safely,” he says. Source: VRT
Your student years are the best years of your life. Don’t let them go up in smoke!
A fire-safe student room
Smoke alarms and a well-rehearsed escape plan make sure that you and your housemates can get out of the building in time if there’s a fire. Go through the fire safety checklist for your student house with your housemates. Ask your landlord for the fire prevention report. If in doubt, it’s best to contact the housing department of your local council or the prevention department of your fire service zone.
Is your student room fire-safe?
You can also check for yourself whether your student room is fire-safe, and keep the risk of fire as low as possible. Think especially of the pan forgotten on the hob, parties in your room with candles, the e-bike or e-scooter charging in the entrance hall, the smartphone charging in bed overnight, …
Check your student room
Are there enough smoke alarms?
Is there a fire escape ladder in place?
Are there fire doors in place?
Are the stairs at least 70 centimetres wide?
Is there a fire alarm control panel (call points and siren)?
Is there emergency lighting in the corridors and the stairwell?
Is there a fire blanket in the kitchen?
Are there (annually inspected) fire extinguishers in place?
Are the fire safety instructions clearly displayed?
Do you have an escape plan, and are the escape routes clear?
Is there a safe second escape route?
A room on the street side has a window through which the fire brigade can evacuate you. If the room is not on the street side, there must be an escape route directly accessible from the room, e.g. a fire escape ladder or flat roof…Do you recognise all the pictograms in your student room?
You’ll find more tips at www.leefbrandveilig.be
Fire safety starts with you
Test and dust the smoke alarms in your student room?
Are the corridor and stairwell clear of flammable objects?
Stay alert when cooking and always switch off the hob when you’ve finished.
Never disable a smoke alarm.
Don’t smoke in your student room.
Be careful with candles.
Take care when using power strips.
If there’s a fire, call the emergency services on 112.
Never charge overnight!
Never charge overnight!
Charging the batteries of your e-bike, smartphone, laptop or tablet overnight?
Charging devices overnight is not a good idea. When you’re asleep, your nose is asleep too, so the chance of being woken quickly by a smouldering smartphone in bed is very small. In principle, this advice applies to all electrical devices. If you don’t use something at night, unplug it. That way you avoid a lot of hazards.
Charging tips
Always read your device’s manual before using it.
Always charge during the day, under a smoke alarm.
Charge on a non-flammable surface and make sure the device or battery can ‘breathe’.
If you really have no choice but to charge overnight, make sure your smartphone isn’t lying in your escape route and that there’s nothing flammable nearby.
Unplug the charger after use.
Make sure the battery can cool down sufficiently.
Regularly check the battery and charging cable for damage.
Always use good-quality chargers and cables.
Be careful with electricity!
Short circuits are one of the main causes of fire.
Electrical appliances cause a great many fires. Often these involve older or damaged appliances, overloaded power strips or damaged electrical cables. If you don’t need an electrical appliance at night, unplug it. That way you avoid a lot of hazards.
Tips for use
Always read your device’s manual before using it.
Always use equipment bearing the CE and CEBEC marks.
Televisions with a cathode-ray tube are not allowed in student housing.
Avoid overloading: connect only one appliance or adapter per socket, and don’t use high-consumption appliances such as electric heaters.
Prevent short circuits by not damaging plugs, cables and appliances.
Never run electrical cables under a carpet or loose across the floor.
Don’t use electrical appliances near a washbasin or shower. Electricity and moisture don’t mix.
This article appeared in Leuven Actueel online and Hageland Actueel online.