Page 55 - 2025 JCH Student Handbook

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Emergencies & Safety in College
In the event of a life-threatening event or injury (e.g., Anaphylaxis), ring 000 immediately. For other
emergencies outside office hours, contact the Duty Tutor. If the emergency is sufficiently serious, the
Duty Tutor may then contact the Deputy Principal or Dean of Studies who are on call as ‘Senior
Back Up’.

All students and staff members residing onsite are required to have ambulance cover as a condition
of residence. If in doubt, call for help. If asked by Emergency services, the closest intersection to
the College is Prescott Close (which separates JCH from Ormond College) and Royal Parade.
Finally, make sure to send someone outside to flag down the ambulance and guide them into the
College.

Fire safety
Because the actions or omissions of any other individuals may affect the safety of others, you must
ensure that you understand and comply with the restrictions and regulations below. Every floor has
trained Student and Staff Fire Wardens, who will direct you during an emergency. All have been
trained by the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board. In an emergency, they will all be
wearing hard hats denoting their status as Fire Wardens – listen to their instructions and follow them
promptly.
Fire Regulations

1. The only heaters permitted in student rooms are those supplied by the College. We have an
electrician check all of our appliances annually for any faults.
2. Any electrical appliance, such as an electric kettle and power board, must incorporate
appropriate safety devices, such as an automatic thermal overload shutdown device or
safety switch.
3. Janet Clarke Hall is tobacco free. Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside the building
and grounds, including on the rooftop and in the garden. This includes the use of e-
cigarettes.
4. No person may use fireplaces without the permission of the Principal, who sets the dates for
use from 1 May (the annual Festival of Chimney Sweeps and Milkmaids) until the beginning
of the mid-semester break in second semester. Any students using their room’s fireplace will
incur a firewood fee of $170. We are the only Melbourne College in which open fires are still
permitted by Council and the FRV, and failure to take caution with the fireplace will likely
mean that we lose the right to use them.
5. Cooking is not allowed in bedrooms, including the use of toasters and rice cookers. Please
use the kitchenettes in College.
6. All bedrooms are fitted with smoke detectors, and heat-activated sprinklers that we cannot
turn off once activated. Please advise the Facilities Manager if the battery goes flat (and
starts beeping) or contact the Duty Tutor after hours.
7. Burning candles, incense, oils and sparklers in bedrooms is not permitted. We also encourage
residents to be aware that some aerosol sprays (deodorant, air freshener, hairspray) can
trigger detectors if used in very close proximity.
8. Familiarise yourself with the locations of fire extinguishers.
9. If you hear a siren, you need to evacuate the building. At such times, please follow the
instructions of any Fire Warden in the College. Leave the building immediately and calmly,
and ensure you get your name marked off the evacuation list at the College’s designated

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Janet Clarke Hall Student Handbook 2025