Fire Safety in Blocks of Flats

Fire Safety in Blocks of Flats A Guide for A1 Tenants and Leaseholders

Fire Safety Do’s & Don’ts Your flat has been designed with fire safety in mind. The walls, certain doors and the floors are designed to withstand fire and slow the spread of smoke. We need your help to maintain fire safety in and around your block of flats.

We ask that you do: 1. Keep the communal areas clear of obstacles. (Bikes, pushchairs, mobility scooters etc.) Should a fire break out in any part of the building, you and your neighbours may have to get out via the corridors and stairs.

A1 Housing has a policy on what can be kept in communal areas. A copy of this policy is online at www.a1housing.co.uk or from 0800 590 542.

2. Place all your rubbish directly into any external bins provided.

3. Report any fly-tipping around the flats. Dumped rubbish provides arsonists opportunities to start fires. Call 0800 590 542 for the removal of any flytipped items.

4. Test your smoke alarm regularly in line with the guidance issued with when they were installed. Never remove electric smoke alarms or place any cover over them that will stop them from detecting smoke.

2 | www.a1housing.co.uk

We ask that you do not: • Prop or wedge open any doors in the communal areas.

Closed doors slow the spread of smoke and fire.

• Under any circumstances leave mopeds, motorcycles or machinery with a petrol tank in your flat or communal area. If it catches fire, residents may become trapped.

Keeping machinery or flammable liquids in communal areas increases the risk of fire and is very dangerous.

• Leave bags of rubbish in the communal areas, outside the bin rooms or outside your flat.

• Remove internal doors or closers inside your flat.

• Place or store any items or belongings (eg pushchairs, bikes etc) in any communal electric/gas meter cupboard that you have access to. You may only store your belongings in a cupboard/store that has been specifically provided for that purpose. If you are unsure please contact your Housing Officer.

A1 Housing reserves the right to remove without prior notice any item stored in unauthorised areas

tel: 0800 590 542 | 3

Making your flat a safe home Advice from the Fire Service • Make a fire escape plan so that everyone in your home knows how to get out if there is a fire.

• Ensure that everyone in your home is aware of the exit route from your block.

• Keep the exits from your home clear so that people can escape if there is a fire.

• Make sure that everyone in your home can easily find keys for doors and windows. Ensure the front flat door self-closer is in working order.

This must not be disconnected.

• Take extra care in the kitchen – accidents while cooking account for over half of the fires in homes. Never leave young children alone in the kitchen.

• Take extra care when cooking with hot oil. Consider buying a deep-fat fryer which is controlled by a thermostat if you don’t already have one.

• Never leave lit candles in rooms that nobody is in or rooms where children are on their own. Make sure candles are in secure holders on a surface that does not burn and are away from any materials that could burn.

4 | www.a1housing.co.uk

• Make sure cigarettes are stubbed out properly, disposed of carefully and never smoke in bed.

• Smoking is not allowed in any enclosed communal area, and doing this is a criminal offence. We also do not allow smoking of e-cigarettes in communal areas. You can freely smoke either of these within your own flat as long as your entrance door is closed to the stairwell area.

• Get into the habit of closing all doors at night. If you want to keep a child’s bedroom door open, close the doors to the lounge and kitchen, it may well help save their life is there is a fire.

• Don’t overload electrical sockets. Remember one plug for one socket.

• Keep matches and lighters where children cannot see or reach them.

• Take special care when you are tired or when you’ve been drinking alcohol.

• Don’t leave the TV on standby as this could cause a fire.

Always switch it off and unplug when not in use.

tel: 0800 590 542 | 5

In the Event of Fire In the event of fire Inside your flat: • Alert everyone in the flat and leave the flat closing the doors and windows behind you.

• If it is safe to do so make your neighbours aware of the fire.

• Do Not use lifts to exit the building. Use the stairs only.

• Do Not re-enter the building, until the Fire Service have given permission to do so.

In the event of fire in a Communal Area of your block: • If it is safe to do so, leave your flat and close the door and windows behind you, making your escape by the safest possible route.

• Do Not use lifts to exit the building. Use the stairs only.

When you are out of the building, call the Fire Service on 999, then A1 Housing on 0800 590 542 (24 Hour Number)

6 | www.a1housing.co.uk

If you Cannot get out safely: • Stay in your flat.

• Stay by the window where you can be seen.

• Place damp towels or bedding around any door frames to prevent smoke entering your flat.

• Phone the Fire Service on 999. Advise them where you live, your flat number, the floor you live on and whether or not you are still in the building.

Fire Safety Advice and Further Information Plan ahead now, for a fire. Think how you and everyone in your flat will escape. Have an escape plan. More advice is available at www.firekills.gov.uk.

Fire Safety Advice from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service Further fire safety advice is available on the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue website www.notts-fire.gov.uk under the ‘Your Safety’ link.

However, if you feel you are unable to assess the fire risks in your own home, you may be eligible for a home visit. If you would like more advice on this call 0800 022 3235 or visit www.notts-fire.gov.uk/home-safety-check. tel: 0800 590 542 | 7

Providing Quality Homes & Neighbourhoods GL 52 - 09/17