People living in flats experience more fires than people living in houses. However, contrary to popular belief, a fire in a flat is no more dangerous than a fire in a house should the right preventative and containment measures be in place.
In light of the recent, tragic events of the Grenfell Tower disaster we would like you to find the following advice for helping to prevent fires within purpose-built blocks of flats as outlined by the LGA.
- Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home.
- Test your smoke alarms regularly.
- Never disconnect or take the batteries out of your smoke alarm.
- Don’t leave cooking unattended, and avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone with cooking on the hob.
- Be especially vigilant when cooking with oil. Don’t overfill chip pans and NEVER throw water on a chip pan fire.
- Make sure cigarettes are put out properly, use a proper ashtray and don’t smoke in bed.
- Don’t overload electrical sockets.
- Turn off appliances when not in use. Don’t even leave them on standby.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach and sight of children.
- Candles should be secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains. Children shouldn’t be left alone with lit candles.
- Do Not leave your belongings or rubbish in corridors, the lift lobby or the stairway.
- All apartment entrance doors must be self-closing and Fire-Rated in line with building regulations to the FD30S standard.
If your development operates a Stay Put policy, your flat is in a building designed to be fire-resisting. A fire should not spread from one flat to another, so that you need not leave your home if there is a fire elsewhere in the block. Always leave if your flat is affected by smoke or heat or if told to by the fire service. Your stairway is designed to be safe for escape throughout the course of a fire. Always use the stairway to descend to ground level if escaping.
If you are in a corridor, lift lobby or stairway and you notice a fire, leave the building immediately and, if safe to do so, alert other residents in the immediate vicinity on your way out (knock on their doors).
Do Not put yourself at risk and Do Not return to your flat until it is safe to do so.
Remember
- Test your smoke alarm once a week.
- Keep the exit route from your flat clear so you can escape in an emergency.
- Close doors at night, especially the doors to the lounge and kitchen to prevent fire spreading.