As temperatures increase during the summer months, some colleagues and students may experience discomfort in warmer areas of the University's estate.
Over recent years, the University has invested significantly in improving environmental conditions across its buildings through a range of cooling and ventilation enhancements. As a result, the estate now benefits from more permanent cooling provision than at any point in the University's history.
The University is committed to managing the risks associated with high temperatures and supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students through practical and proportionate measures. We encourage colleagues and managers to remain aware of the effects of heat and to consider the needs of individuals who may be more susceptible to higher temperatures.
In addition to permanent building improvements, the University maintains a limited number of portable cooling units that can be deployed where there is a genuine operational or wellbeing need during periods of exceptionally hot weather.
As these units are a shared resource, they are managed through a booking process to ensure they are available where they are needed most while supporting the University's sustainability objectives.
Because demand may exceed availability during periods of hot weather, requests will be assessed and prioritised against agreed criteria.
Before submitting a request, colleagues and managers should consider whether practical local measures can help reduce the impact of high temperatures. Those using a space are often best placed to identify adjustments that can improve comfort without requiring additional equipment.
Examples include:
If a significant issue remains after reasonable mitigation measures have been considered, a request can be submitted through the Helpdesk.
Temporary cooling will generally only be considered where:
If you believe additional support is required, please submit a request through the Helpdesk. To help us assess your request, include:
Each request will be reviewed against the University's prioritisation criteria, and advice will be provided on the most appropriate next steps.
Requests will be assessed based on a range of factors, including:
Priority will generally be given to situations where high temperatures have a significant impact on teaching, examinations, student-facing services, wellbeing or other critical University operations, and where practical alternatives are no longer available.
Where activities can continue through reasonable adjustments or alternative arrangements, temporary cooling may not be provided. This helps ensure the University's portable cooling resources remain available for those areas where they can make the greatest difference.