How we keep you safe from fire
There are several proactive ways we ensure all our homes and buildings are safe from the risk of fire.
Fire risk assessments
We undertake regular checks, known as fire risk assessments (FRA), on all our homes. This means that if you live in a block of flats, a qualified professional will have carried out an FRA for your property. If they find anything that poses a risk, we will act quickly to fix it.
If any work is identified within your property, we would appreciate your assistance in gaining access so we can resolve the issue.
Currently, we have instructed a third-party contractor, Frankhams, to carry out fire risk assessments up until March 2022 in all our homes. Find out when they will visit your home by clicking the button below.
View the FRA schedule [pdf] 101KB
Fire doors
Fire doors are installed throughout our buildings to contain any fires. Front entrance doors also hold back the spread of smoke and fire.
You must keep fire doors closed at all times and don’t prop them open. You should also avoid tampering with the main front door to your home as this could reduce its effectiveness as a fire door. If there is any damage to your front door, including a faulty door closer, or if you don’t have a door closer fitted to your front door, please report this to your customer relations partner (tenancy).
Alarms
Make sure that your home has working smoke or heat detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors that you test regularly. If you don’t have a heat or smoke detector, please report this and we will arrange installation.
Fire exit strategy
The instructions for what you need to do in the event of a fire varies between homes. You must read and understand the information for your home carefully.
If you live in a block of flats, you will find a fire action notice on your communal notice board. If you can’t find one, please contact your customer relations partner (tenancy).
An evacuation policy
If your building operates an evacuation policy, you should leave in the event of a fire no matter which part of the building it is in. Go to a safe place outside away from the building, and dial 999. Check your fire action notice for details of which policy is used in your home.
A stay-put policy
A stay-put policy is recommended for purpose-built blocks designed to contain fires. If the fire is not in your home, but in another part of the building, you will be safer staying in your home with your doors and windows shut. Homes with a stay-put policy are designed to hold back flames and smoke for up to 30 minutes.
Those who are not directly affected by the fire should remain in their flat until told otherwise by the fire brigade. The main reason for this is so firefighters can access the building quickly and safely to put out the fire. However, it is important to use your judgement and you are not required to remain in your flat if you or your household feel unsafe.
If there is a fire or smoke in your home, get everyone out and leave the building as calmly as possible, closing the door behind you and not using the lift. Once you are outside, call 999.
When we review our buildings' fire safety measures, we also review the stay-put policy based on the findings of the inspection. We will also install appropriate fire detection and alert systems if required.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP)
The purpose of a PEEP is to provide people who would have difficulty self-evacuating in the event of a fire with a tailored evacuation plan. The PEEP will enable us to consider the available options and how safe evacuation can take place.
If you self-identify yourself to us as unable to self-evacuate, you have a right to a PEEP. To arrange a PEEP, contact your customer relations partner (tenancy).