Each year, Student Fire Safety Week serves as an important reminder of the unique fire risks present in student accommodation. With young people living independently for the first time, often in shared housing, the combination of busy lifestyles, cooking accidents, and unfamiliarity with fire safety procedures can create a higher risk of fire incidents.
The need for reliable fire safety systems in student accommodation cannot be overstated. Beyond compliance, it’s about creating a safe living and learning environment where students can thrive without unnecessary risk.
Why Fire Safety in Student Accommodation Matters
Students often live in multi-occupancy residences, where a single fault or incident could quickly escalate. Statistics from fire services highlight that cooking remains the leading cause of student fires, but electrical appliances, unattended candles, and even vaping equipment add to the risks.
For accommodation providers, the responsibility of fire safety in this environment doesn’t just stop when they get a fire alarm panel installed. They must also ensure that the fire systems are tested, maintained, and monitored effectively, so that faults or alarms never go unnoticed.
Case Study: Jesus College, University of Cambridge
At Jesus College, Cambridge, the safety of over 1,000 members - including around 500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students was a pressing priority. Spanning 33 acres with multiple occupancy houses, the College needed a way to monitor the fire alarm conditions across its varied estate.
The Challenge
Each student house was equipped with a conventional Gent Xenex fire alarm panel, connected to the College’s IT network. However, without visibility of these alarms, faults and testing statuses could go undetected - particularly in unoccupied houses. This left the College vulnerable to delays in responding to potential fire risks.
The Solution
Drax Technology provided a simple but powerful monitoring solution:
A basic AMX system was installed in the Security office, giving real-time reporting of fire and fault events from remote student houses.
Each house was fitted with a SmartWatch four-input module, connected to the existing Gent Xenex panel via upgraded relays.
The College’s existing IT infrastructure was leveraged to transmit fire event data directly to the AMX PC.
This gave the team clear visibility of fire alarm conditions and weekly testing, reducing risks and ensuring nothing was overlooked.
The Broader Impact
The solution at Jesus College demonstrates how technology can make a real difference in student fire safety:
Visibility across multiple sites – No more missed alarms or undetected faults in remote houses.
Streamlined weekly testing – Ensuring compliance and peace of mind for estate managers.
Better protection for students – Creating a safer environment for both residents and staff.
By taking a proactive approach, the College has set a benchmark in safeguarding its community while maintaining operational efficiency.
Supporting Safer Student Communities
At Drax Technology, we understand that fire safety in student accommodation is about having reliable monitoring solutions and actionable insights. Our AMX and SafeVue solutions provide the visibility operators need to manage complex estates, ensuring that alarms are never missed and compliance is always maintained.
As Student Fire Safety Week reminds us, the wellbeing of students depends on the right combination of education, awareness, and technology. At Drax Technology, we’re proud to play a role in keeping students safe, giving colleges and universities the tools they need to stay one step ahead.
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