Fire SMS – Accessible Fire Alarm Alert System
Fire SMS is a new fire safety service designed to ensure deaf and hard-of-hearing people are alerted immediately when a fire alarm sounds.
Overview
Installed across many University buildings, the system supports compliance with the Equality Act 2010 by providing an inclusive and reliable way for all building users to receive emergency evacuation alerts.
The service works by sending a text message to registered users as soon as the fire alarm is activated (except during planned tests). This allows individuals to move freely around the building with confidence that they will be informed in the event of an emergency.
Key benefits
- No specialist devices required
- Works with any mobile phone capable of receiving text messages
- Easy to register and simple to use
How to register
- When entering a building equipped with Fire SMS, look for the signage at the entrance.
- Follow the instructions displayed, which include the number to text.
- Send a message containing: textme <your mobile number> (eg textme07123456789)
- Once received, the system will register your number and send a confirmation message reading “OK:)” to let you know you are connected for that location.
- To stop using the system text the words: ‘remove me’ (all lower case) to the number above. You will receive an ‘Ok’ text confirming you are now removed from the system.
- Texts to register and remove yourself from the system are charged at your normal network rate – one text charge to register and one text charge to deregister.
During an alarm
If the fire alarm is activated, the system automatically sends a text alert to all registered users in that building. The message will notify you that a fire alarm has sounded and that you should evacuate immediately.
This service ensures that everyone, including deaf and hard-of-hearing users, receives timely and accessible fire alarm notifications while on campus.
University of Sheffield Fire SMS Contacts
| Location | Phone number |
|---|---|
| Alfred Denny | 07888864521 |
| Arts Tower | 07888864703 |
| Bartolme House | 07888865066 |
| Broad Lane Building | 07888865121 |
| Chemistry Complex | 07888865625 |
| Diamond Building | 07888864970 |
| Ella Armitage Building | 07888863560 |
| Elmfield House | 07888862357 |
| Firth Court | 07888868736 |
| Firth Hall | 07888869920 |
| Florey Building | 07888861984 |
| Geography Planning Building | 07888862117 |
| Glossop Road, 301 | 07888867200 |
| Hadfield Building | 07888860478 |
| Harry Brearley Building | 07888867430 |
| Hicks Building | 07888866325 |
| Hoyle Street, 78 | 07888867866 |
| Information Commons | 07888869252 |
| Jessop West | 07888869245 |
| Kroto Research Institute | 07888866419 |
| Management School | 07888862964 |
| Mappin Street, 38 | 07888865780 |
| Mappin Street, 9 | 07888861710 |
| Nanoscience & Technology Centre | 07888863062 |
| Pam Liversidge | 07888863185 |
| Perak Building | 07888862501 |
| Portobello Building | 07888869923 |
| Sir Frederick Mappin Building | 07888868027 |
| Solly Street, 3 | 07888862497 |
| St George Church | 07888864676 |
| Students Union Building | 07888865450 |
| The Edge | 07888863914 |
| The Octagon | 07888863240 |
| The Ridge | 07888865182 |
| The Wave | 07888867791 |
| Western Bank Library | 07888861753 |