UCL Christmas and New Year closure 2013-2014

UCL will be closed for Christmas and the New Year from 5.

30pm on Friday 20 December 2013 to 7am on Thursday 2 January 2014.

The following procedures apply to the UCL's main Bloomsbury site defined as all buildings except those of the post graduate medical institutes, the Hampstead and Archway sites, and sites away from Central London.

Before leaving on Friday 20th December 2013, Laboratory Superintendents and others where appropriate, unless otherwise instructed by the Head of Department should ensure that:

• All lights and heaters are switched off in their department.
• All gas and water taps are turned off and that hoses connecting apparatus to water taps are securely wired both to the water supply and to the apparatus.
• The Security Office has received by 12 noon on Friday 20 December a copy of a list of places, such as laboratories with constant operating equipment, where there is a possible danger from flooding or fire.
• The Security Office has received by 12 noon on Friday 20 December written details of persons who can be contacted in cases of emergency (Other than those already on the Control room database)

In order to increase the level of security over the quietest part of the holiday all CARDAX access control systems will be on lockdown on the 25 and 26 December 2013 and on 1 January 2014. Access to those departments affected will still be available but will only be granted to those persons who have been individually authorised in writing by their Head of Department to the Security Office by 12 noon on Friday 20 December 2013 and who report to the Security Operations office in Foster Court. Special access cards will be issued, on signature, to persons so authorised.

The co-operation of all Heads of Departments in keeping the number of such persons to an absolute minimum is requested.

Heads of Departments are asked to bring the contents of this message to the attention of members of their department and to remind them of the need to take care when working during periods of closure and that any procedures which have been assessed as having a significant level of risk should not be carried out by persons working alone.

We would like to stress the importance for individuals to maintain internal security within their departments. Any incident which appears suspicious should be reported to the Security Control Room on the UCL Emergency Number - 222.

Finally we would ask all Estates project officers to submit weekend/out of hours work forms for all contractors requiring access during the college closure by 12 noon on Friday 20 December 2013.

Thank you in anticipation for your help and co-operation in implementing these arrangements and take the opportunity of wishing you a happy Christmas, Festive Season, and New Year.

UCL Security