Fire safety

How we manage fire safety

Our in‑house Building Safety Team oversees fire safety across our high‑rise buildings. Their work includes:

• Working closely with local Fire and Rescue Services

• Appointing a BAFE‑approved fire safety contractor (BAFE is a nationally recognised fire safety accreditation)

• Ensuring Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) are completed and reviewed in line with legal requirements

A Fire Risk Assessment looks at the communal areas of your building, identifying potential fire risks and reviewing escape routes. When updates or actions are identified, our Building Safety Team makes sure they are followed up.

Fire safety information for your building

Select your building to view the latest fire safety information:

9A Lydia Ann
Plaza 1821

Every home should have at least one working smoke alarm on each level. To help keep you safe:

• Test your smoke alarms regularly

• Do not remove the batteries

• Ask for help if you cannot test the alarms yourself — a friend, neighbour, family member, or your Property Manager can assist

If you have concerns about your smoke alarms, please call us on 0344 736 0063.

According to UK Fire and Rescue Service data, around 90 people die each year in fires where no working smoke alarm was present. Regular testing helps keep you and your household safe.

If your home has a fire door, it plays an important role in helping to slow the spread of fire and smoke. A properly maintained fire door can limit damage, protect escape routes, and support safe evacuation and access for emergency services.

Annual Fire Door Checks

Homes with fire doors receive an annual inspection carried out by qualified contractors. These checks help ensure the door is working as intended. We will always let you know in advance when an inspection is due in your building.

Simple Checks You Can Do

You can use the checklist below to help you identify if your fire door is working correctly. If your door does not meet all three checks, please contact us straight away on 0344 736 0063.

• Self‑closing device Open the door and allow it to close by itself. It should close fully onto the latch without sticking on the floor or the frame.

• Fire and smoke seals Look for the fire strips or smoke seals (often a slim plastic strip with a brush) around the top and sides of the door or frame. They should be intact with no signs of damage.

• Condition of the door and frame Check that the door and frame have no holes, cracks, or other damage.

Keeping communal areas safe

To help everyone evacuate safely in an emergency, communal areas must always be kept clear.

• Items must not be left in corridors, stairwells, or shared spaces, as they can block escape routes or delay the fire service.

• Stairways are designated escape routes and must remain completely free of obstructions.

• Fire doors in communal areas must stay closed and should never be propped open.

We carry out regular inspections of communal areas to ensure they remain safe. Any items found that create a fire risk may be removed and disposed of to protect residents.

Planning Your Escape in an Emergency

Everyone in your household should know how to leave the home safely in the event of a fire. To help you prepare:

• Keep all escape routes clear and free from clutter

• Store door and window keys in a place that is easy to reach and known to everyone in the home

• Do not store items in communal areas, as they can block escape routes or create tripping hazards and may breach your tenancy agreement

If You Live in an Apartment Block

If you are unsure about your building’s fire evacuation plan or the safest route to exit, please speak to your Property Manager. You can also find your evacuation plan in your welcome handbook or on the scheme noticeboard.

Smoking and Fire Safety

If you smoke, there are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of a fire in your home:

• Use a proper ashtray and place it on a stable, level surface away from anything that could catch fire

• Make sure cigarettes are fully extinguished before you dispose of them

• Never leave a lit cigarette unattended

• Avoid smoking in bed, as falling asleep while a cigarette is burning can cause a fire

• Do not smoke while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as this increases the risk of accidents

• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children

According to UK fire safety data, someone dies every three days in a fire caused by smoking materials. Taking small precautions can help keep you and your household safe.