Unite Students

The Project

Unite Students is the UK’s leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation, housing over 70,000 students across more than 160 properties in the UK’s most vibrant university cities. As part of their continued commitment to student safety and regulatory compliance, Unite Students partnered with The Safety Letterbox Company to install Secure Information Boxes (SIBs) at across their accommodation sites – starting with Bristol and Birmingham.

These strategically located SIB’s (previously known as Premises Information Boxes) were implemented to strengthen fire safety protocols and ensure both properties adhered to current building and fire safety regulations, under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. The installations support Unite Students’ commitment to providing safe, compliant, and secure environments for students and staff alike.

The Challenge

In the wake of evolving legislation and heightened industry scrutiny surrounding fire safety, Unite Students recognised the importance of proactively enhancing site compliance. With high footfall and multiple occupancy, student accommodations present complex challenges when it comes to access and emergency preparedness.

The solution had to integrate seamlessly with existing building infrastructure, be easy to use in high-pressure emergency situations, and meet the requirements set out for Responsible Persons under UK fire safety law.

Our Solution

The Safety Letterbox Company supplied and installed a Secure Information Box (SIB) at each site – a fully compliant, purpose-designed safety solution that ensures vital building and fire safety information is accessible to emergency responders at all times.

As the UK’s only manufacturer each SIB:

• Is tested and certified to meet Secured by Design STS205 BR2, the requirements of the latest legislation
• Is fitted with a robust multi point lock system, with a universal key for use by fire services
• Offers tamper-proof construction and weatherproof design for long-term durability

By choosing The Safety Letterbox Company and integrating the SIB into their safety infrastructure, Unite Students have taken a forward-thinking, compliant approach ensuring that their properties are not only compliant but also future-proofed in terms of safety and emergency preparedness. The installations demonstrate a wider industry shift toward safety-led, proactive property management – a standard Unite Students is helping to lead by setting a benchmark for student accommodation nationwide.

Who Needs an SIB?

The Secure Information Box (SIB) is now a critical safety requirement for many types of buildings under updated fire safety legislation. It is especially essential for buildings over 11 metres in height, high-rise residential blocks, student accommodation, and mixed-use developments—essentially any building where access to emergency information could save lives.

Property owners, building managers, developers, and duty holders have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure emergency services can access key information such as building layouts, evacuation procedures, and safety system details—immediately and securely.

Whether you are managing a single site or an extensive portfolio, installing a Secure Information Box is not only about ticking the compliance box—it’s about protecting lives, reducing risk, and demonstrating leadership in safety standards.

Who needs an SIB? If you’re unsure whether your building qualifies or how to meet compliance, don’t leave it to chance. Download our handy infographic now to stay informed and make sure you’re setting the benchmark for safety in your industry!