WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF FIRE

If you discover a fire in your home or the fire alarms are activating

  1. GET OUT – Alert everyone in your home to evacuate
  2. STAY OUT – Close doors behind you as you leave to contain the fire
  3. CALL THE FIRE SERVICE on 999 or 112

 Remember:

  • DO NOT RE-ENTER THE PROPERTY FOR ANY REASON
  • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIGHT THE FIRE

Housing Solutions has a full fire safety programme in place.  We work closely with industry experts and the local fire service to ensure we comply with all necessary fire regulations which includes (but is not limited to) the following:

  • Annual comprehensive Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) of all blocks of flats as well as sheltered and supported schemes. 
  • All of our Fire Risk Assessments are carried out by external specialist fire consultants.  We act on any recommendations that come out of the risk assessments.
  • Fire escape plans and fire action signage are displayed in schemes with communal areas. 
  • Our staff carry out regular estate inspections, ensuring all passages and corridors are kept clear.

Fire Doors

Fire doors play an important part in keeping buildings safe, it is important that you don’t make any changes to your fire door, and any damage is reported to us.  Please make sure you:

  • Keep fire doors closed – don’t prop them open as they are there to stop the spread of fire.
  • Don’t drill into, damage, or alter the doors or self-closing devices.
  • Report any faults or damage to fire doors or self-closer door fixings immediately, on 01628 543101 so that we can fix them.

We have created a video about how fire doors are designed to protect everyone.  You can view our fire door video here 

It is important that we work together to stay safe, here are some reminders:

  • Check weekly that all smoke detectors in your home are working.  Please contact us if they are not.
  • Keep all communal areas and balconies completely clear from items which could get in the way if you are evacuating or could be flammable and cause a fire to spread.
  • Familiarise yourself with the fire and emergency plan for your building. Please remember each scheme/block will be slightly different so it is always worth checking regularly to ensure you know what action you should take in an emergency.
  • Do not smoke in the internal communal areas.
  • Do not leave candles unattended and take care when cooking - further fire safety information can be found here
  • In the event of a fire do not use the lift; use the stairs if safe to do so.

How to test your smoke alarm

Test your smoke alarm weekly.  Locate the button labelled ‘test’ on your detector. Push it in and hold. If the smoke detector is working, the alarm will sound, along with any other smoke detectors in your property that are linked to it.

Five easy steps to change a smoke alarm battery

  1. Remove the smoke alarm cover (it should unclip from the base with a slight twisting motion)
  2. Take out the old battery from its holder
  3. Replace with a new battery (check manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you install a battery of the right voltage)
  4. Put the cover back on
  5. Press the ‘Test’ button to check the new batteries are working (the alarm will sound)

View our smoke alarm battery replacement video here

If you are unable to evacuate your home in the event of a fire - due to either a permanent or temporary disability, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can carry out a ‘Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan’ (PEEP) with you.

If you have any specific fire concerns, please contact us via webchat, the customer portal or our Contact Centre.