Verdure Psychology Ltd | Fire Safety, Evacuation and Lone Working | Public overview, Version 1.2 | Updated 13 November 2026 | Next routine review: June 2027
This page summarises Verdure Psychology Ltd’s fire-safety, evacuation and lone-working arrangements for office 1.03 at the Innovation Centre, Innovation Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DG. It is a public summary, not the full internal fire-risk assessment or the landlord’s building-wide assessment. The practice maintains its own risk-assessment records and works with York Science Park on matters involving the building.
Responsibilities
Verdure Psychology Ltd is responsible for fire risks arising from its use of the leased office, including its own furnishings, electrical equipment and working practices. York Science Park and the landlord control the building’s communal spaces, fire alarm, emergency lighting, escape routes and other building-wide systems. Practitioners using the office, including independent associates, follow the relevant building procedures.
Prevention and safe premises
Practitioners keep exit routes and access areas clear, limit combustible materials, switch off non-essential equipment when leaving and report hazards appropriately. Electrical equipment is checked and maintained in line with its risks and the landlord’s rules. The building’s tenant guidance prohibits convector heaters in the relevant office areas and allows university-approved oil-filled radiators; appliances are subject to those restrictions. Open flames and candles are not permitted.
What happens in a fire
When the fire alarm sounds or a fire is suspected, practitioners and visitors should evacuate promptly using the safe exit routes identified in the current building Fire Action Notice. Activate the nearest alarm call point if needed and call 999 for a fire or immediate danger. Do not stop to collect belongings. Practitioners should prioritise safe evacuation, rather than attempt firefighting without the appropriate training and conditions.
The building’s published fire instructions govern the current exits and assembly area. Practitioners make visitors aware of relevant evacuation arrangements and consider whether anyone will need assistance to leave. Where additional evacuation support is required, an appropriate arrangement should be agreed with York Science Park before a face-to-face appointment takes place.
Lone working and out of hours
Clinicians working alone or outside reception hours use a suitable pre-agreed check-in/check-out arrangement, keep a charged mobile telephone available and follow York Science Park’s access, security and lock-up procedures. Appointments are considered individually for lone-working suitability, taking account of relevant clinical or physical safety risks. If a situation becomes unsafe, the practitioner should end the appointment and seek help.
For urgent incidents involving immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency out-of-hours building security matters, University Security can be contacted on 01904 324444.
First aid and review
York Science Park identifies first-aid equipment and a defibrillator at the Innovation Centre reception. Tenant organisations are responsible for their own proportionate first-aid arrangements, taking account of working patterns and the needs of people using their space.
The company’s fire-risk assessment and related arrangements are reviewed when relevant circumstances change, including equipment, occupancy, client access needs or landlord procedures. This public summary is supported by the practice’s internal safety records and the landlord’s building instructions.
Related information: Health and Safety Policy and Safeguarding Policy.