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Fire safety in your home

As your landlord, we have a legal duty to make sure that our buildings have a reasonable resistance to fire. We have consulted with the fire brigade in preparing this advice and our approach.

01/02/2012

Preventing fires

You have an important role to play in making sure that fire does not start in your block. The following advice covers your responsibilities in terms of:

  • Smoking
  • Keeping communal areas clear
  • Renewing doors and windows
  • Barbecues

Helpful advice about preventing fires can be found on the London Fire Brigade website at: www.london-fire.gov.uk

Smoking

Smoking is one of the main causes of fires at home, causing more than 40% of all deaths from fire in domestic properties. When you smoke inside your own home you should be very careful to ensure that you put cigarettes and cigars out fully.

It is against the law to smoke in any communal area of your block. This includes the corridors, lobbies, lifts, balconies and stairwells. If you do smoke in communal areas you are breaking the law and are in breach of your tenancy agreement or lease. As smoking is such a major cause of fire, we will take firm action, including legal action, to stop it.

Replacing doors or windows

The current Building Regulations require all new doors and windows which open onto an enclosed corridor or stairwell to remain resistant to fire for 30 minutes. Where RHP replaces communal doors or windows, we will be ensuring that this standard is met.

We have recently had experience of customers replacing their own front doors where the door fitted does not meet the required standard.

Please remember that if you want to change a front door or window (whether you are a leaseholder or a tenant) you must:

  • Seek permission in advance by contacting our service desk or your Customer Advisor (CA)
  • Provide us with evidence that the door or window meets the required fire resistance standard
  • Ensure that the work is done to a good standard and avoid damage to any part of the communal area
  • Let us know when the work is complete so that we can check everything is OK

If you need any help with identifying whether doors and windows meet the standard, please speak to your CA.

Smoke alarms

You should make sure you have a smoke alarm in your home and that you test it on a weekly basis. Never remove the battery from a smoke alarm except to change it. Always test the alarm immediately after changing the battery.

Free home fire safety visit

The Fire Brigade will carry out a free home fire safety assessment. You can apply for a visit online at www.london-fire.gov.uk