Fire Safety Advice

Introduction

As a landlord, keeping you and your home safe is our priority. We are responsible for making sure our buildings are safe and as a tenant you also have a part to play, and it is your responsibility to cooperate with us and follow our guidance to ensure the safety of yourself and others. The information below covers our approach to fire safety with additional information on fire safety doors, and keeping oxygen in your home.

Each year we will write to all homes in a block environment with information on fire safety and which approach applies to you. This information will also be on your notice board where you have an internal communal space. We will also provide information and advice on fire safety that can be found below.

We have three approaches to fire safety depending on the type of home you live in:

1. stay put (applies to all blocks of flats with communal areas)
2. stay put with alternative means of escape (specific to blocks of flats with balconies)
3. evacuation (applies to certain blocks of flats)

For homes where stay put or stay put if safe applies

Evacuating your home in the event of a fire

It is extremely important that you know what the evacuation procedures are for your home and the building you live in, and that you know what to do in the event of a fire.

Evacuation procedures for flats, blocks and buildings are explained on the fire action notices displayed in the communal areas.

If you have a fire in your home, you must evacuate immediately and call 999.

Plan

• in the event of a fire, every second counts, so it is important that you know your escape route
• you should make sure everyone in your home knows what to do, so practice with them
• make sure keys are easily accessible and everyone knows where they are
• practice using different routes. It could be possible during a fire that your usual escape route is blocked, make sure you know alternative routes

Evacuation strategy for your building - stay put or stay put if safe

If there is a fire inside your flat or maisonette:

• alert everyone in the flat
• leave the property and close all doors
• follow your pre-determined escape plan - or your alternative route
• if there is a lot of smoke in the flat consider crawling along the floor, where the air should be clearer and the temperature cooler
• lifts (if there is one) should not be used to evacuate
• call 999 as soon as you are in a safe place

If there is a fire elsewhere in the building, the structure of the flat (walls, floors, and doors) are designed to keep you safe.

If there is a fire in your building but not inside your home, you are generally safer to 'stay put' in your flat, unless the heat or smoke from the fire are affecting you.

If you 'stay put' you should immediately call 999 and make them aware you are in the building - it is important that the fire rescue service and emergency crews attending are notified.

Once a 999 call is made, and firefighters arrive at the fire, follow the instructions given.

For homes where evacuation applies

Ensure you know what to do in an emergency!

Evacuating your home in the event of a fire

• it is extremely important that you know what the evacuation procedures are for your home and the building you live in, and that you know what to do in the event of a fire.
• evacuation procedures for flats, blocks and buildings are explained on the fire action notices displayed in the communal areas.
• if you have a fire in your home, you must evacuate immediately and call 999.

Plan

• in the event of a fire, every second counts, so it is important that you know your escape route.
• you should make sure everyone in your home knows what to do, so practice with them.
• make sure keys are easily accessible and everyone knows where they are.
• practice using different routes. It could be possible during a fire that your usual escape route is blocked, make sure you know alternative routes.

Evacuation strategy for your building 

Simultaneous Evacuation

In the event of a fire, your building's communal alarm system will alert all residents so they can evacuate the building. This is known as a Simultaneous Evacuation Procedure.

In case of a fire within your flat

• alert other members of your household immediately and ensure that everyone is aware
• if you hear the fire alarm in your flat, ensure that you and your family immediately start evacuating
• close all doors in your flat, if it is safe to do so
• evacuate your flat, ensuring that your flat entrance door is closed behind you
• when outside the building, dial 999 on a phone and ask for the fire service, giving the building address
• when Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service arrive, meet them and tell them where the fire is
• do not re-enter the building until the fire service have extinguished the fire and they let you know that it is safe to do so

In case of a fire elsewhere in the building

• leave immediately and phone the fire service by dialling 999, when outside the building. Give the address of the building and wait at a safe distance for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service to arrive
• if you discover fire in communal areas, alert anyone in the communal areas to ensure that everyone is aware
• close all doors within the communal areas, if it is safe to do so
• evacuate the building
• when outside the building, dial 999 and ask for the fire service, giving the building address
• when Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service arrive, meet them and tell them where the fire is
• do not re-enter the building until they have extinguished the fire and they have let you know that it is safe
• if there are lifts in your building, these should not be used to evacuate
• once a 999 call is made, and firefighters arrive at the fire, follow the instructions given

Fire Door Safety

Fire doors are a very important life saving measure - they will hold back smoke and fire to help save lives.

Fire doors provide a level of protection as they are made from materials that work together to slow down or stop the spread of fire in your home and will hold back fire for at least 30 minutes - some doors are rated for longer.

As with all fire safety measures, fire doors need to be kept in good working order and in good repair otherwise the door will not work properly.

Do's and don'ts for fire doors

Do's

• keep fire doors shut when not in use
• keep fire doors free from any obstructions, the space in front and behind a fire door should always be kept clear
• report any fault or damage immediately, for yours and others' safety

Don'ts

• do not wedge open fire doors at any time
• do not disconnect or tamper with self-closing devices
• do not change or alter fire doors in any way, this includes decorating doors with signs or wreaths as well as adding coat hooks
• do not adjust or replace Fire resistant hinges

If you suspect a fire door is damaged or faulty, there are a few simple checks you can carry out to check the fire door is operating safely.

Does the door fully close? Open the door halfway, let it go and allow it to close. It should close onto the latch without sticking to the frame.

Are there large gaps around the door? Gaps around the top and side of the door should be consistently less then 4mm when the door is closed. The gap under the door can be slightly larger, but ideally you shouldn't be able to see light under the door.

Are there any damaged seals around the door or the frame. These will be plastic or brushed strips imbedded in the door or the frame.

Remember - If you notice a fire door is damaged, not closing properly, has a defect or you are simply unsure it is in good working condition, report it immediately to 01493 846825

Oxygen storage safety

We are required by law to identify, manage and mitigate risks associated with fire, including guidance to residents storing oxygen.

Oxygen safety is important for individuals who require supplemental oxygen therapy, it can be lifesaving and beneficial. However, it also presents additional safety issues, due to the potential risks associated with oxygen use. If you use and/or store oxygen in your home, please let us know for our records and so we can inform the Fire Service.

By following these oxygen safety guidelines, individuals using oxygen therapy can minimise risks and ensure the safe and effective use of their oxygen equipment.

• no petroleum-based products - avoid using petroleum-based skin products (e.g. petroleum jelly, oil-based lotions) around your face or nasal cannula to prevent fire hazards
• wear cotton clothing - choose clothing made of natural fibres like cotton. Avoid wearing synthetic fabrics that can generate static electricity
• avoid electric blankets - do not use electric blankets or heating pads while using oxygen therapy, as they can pose a fire risk
• maintain distance from Electrical devices - keep a safe distance from electrical devices that may generate sparks, such as electric razors or hair dryers
• secure oxygen during travel - ensure that oxygen cylinders are securely positioned during travel to prevent tipping or damage
• train family members - educate household members about oxygen safety, especially if they assist with caregiving

Signage

As a landlord, Great Yarmouth Borough Council are required by law to identify, manage and mitigate risks associated with fire, included in this is having information of residents storing oxygen.

If you use and/or store oxygen in your home, please let us know for our records and so we need to inform the Fire Service.

If you would like us to supply you with oxygen safety sign, to display in your home, contact us via email at: fire.safety@great-yarmouth.gov.uk  or telephone 01493 846825