UCL Christmas and New Year closure 2016-2017

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

30pm on Friday 23 December 2016 to 7am on Tuesday 3 January 2017.

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

Before leaving on Friday 23 December 2016, Laboratory Superintendents and others where appropriate, unless otherwise instructed by the Head of Department should ensure that:

• All lights, heaters and computers 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 UCL Security Office has received by 12 noon on Wednesday 21 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 UCL Security Office has received by 12 noon on Wednesday 21 December written details of persons who can be contacted in cases of emergency (Other than those already on the Control room database)

Access

In previous years special arrangements have been in place for complete lock down periods during the break, namely Christmas day, Boxing & New Year's day where an alternative access card would be needed, but as times and departmental requirements for Access have changed we feel this is no longer necessary and are treating the whole College closure as an extended Weekend. Any members of staff who are unsure of their personal access rights can clarify by contacting Security Systems. 

Heads of Departments are asked to bring the contents of this letter 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.

Heating

As part of the Christmas Switch Off, buildings will only be heated to the legal minimum level.  Staff and students who need to work over the closure period should bear this in mind and dress appropriately. Areas that require constant temperature control for experimentation will be heated as normal.  Find out more about the Big Christmas Switch-Off here: www.ucl.ac.uk/greenucl/get-involved/big-christmas-switch-off/

Out of hours contractor working

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 Wednesday 21st December 2016 in order to give the Security Team adequate time to evaluate and collate access requirements. It is also to be noted that the Contractor welfare facility will only be open on 24th, 28th, 29th, 30th & 31st December during the closure period. Cloak room staffing will not be available.

UCL Libraries Christmas opening hours

Most of our Libraries will close on Friday 23 December and re-open on Tuesday 3 January 2017. Please see our Christmas opening hours page for more information.

Alternative study spaces will be available as follows:

• Wilkins Cloisters
• Chadwick B04
• Graduate Hub (Graduates only)

Please note:

All general access to campus during the closure period will be via the main Gower Street entrance on production of a UCL ID card.

Let us please 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, UCL Estates