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Fire Safety

If you live in a building with shared, or ‘communal’ parts, it’s important that you know what to do if there’s a fire, either in your home or elsewhere in your building. The strategy in place depends on several factors, so it’s important that you read this carefully.

Evacuation plan

You’ll have one of two types of evacuation plan: stay put or simultaneous evacuation. There should be a fire safety notice near the front door of the building.

This will tell you whether to ‘stay put’ or whether to ‘evacuate’ if there’s a fire. This information is also provided when you move in and sent to you every year and can be found from links on this page.

Stay Put

  • Stay put means that if there is a fire elsewhere in your building, you’re usually safer staying in your flat with the doors and windows closed. 
  • Important: if your flat is affected by fire or smoke, leave immediately, closing the door behind you. Once you’re safely outside, phone 999 for the fire brigade. 

Simultaneous evacuation 

  • Simultaneous evacuation means if you hear a fire alarm in your flat and throughout the building – or you know there is a fire in the building – you should follow your evacuation plan and leave by the quickest and safest route. Don’t re-enter until you’re told it’s safe. 
  • To make sure you know what your evacuation strategy is, you can request a copy of your building’s evacuation strategy by contacting your Neighbourhood Service Manager or speaking to the staff that work in your building. 
Stay Put policy Simultaneous Evacuation policy Communal area Communal areas advice Hands using mobile phone Contact us

Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs)

Great Places Housing Group is required to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Carrying out a Fire Risk assessment helps us to identify any fire related safety risks that may be present in our properties and any actions we may need to take to manage these risks. Safe use and storage of electrical equipment is important in fire prevention.

How often we carry out a Fire Risk Assessment depends on the level of risk.

  • Higher Risk – annually
  • Medium Risk – every two years
  • Lower Risk – every three years

What can you do?

  • It is vital that shared spaces are kept clear from things that could block exit routes from your building or provide fuel for a fire. To help keep yourself and your neighbours safe, please keep communal areas clear of scooters, prams or other belongings. These can block exit routes and provide fuel for a fire. In some instances, such as with e-bikes and electric scooters, the batteries can also start a fire. 
  • Allow access to our staff and contractors who need to service or maintain fire equipment, such as smoke detectors and fire doors. 
  • Report any concerns of fire safety to us at the earliest opportunity. 
  • Read and take notice of information on notice boards in and around the property. 
  • Do not tamper with any fire safety equipment - it is there to protect you and your home. 
  • If you live in a flat, you may have a door closing mechanism on your front door this is to prevent fire spreading to your flat, do not tamper with this. If you have any concerns report them to us. 
  • Think about home contents insurance to cover your personal possessions in the event of a fire. 
Contents Insurance and Buildings Insurance

Fire Safety Questions and Answers

Why does my building not have a communal fire alarm? 

Communal fire alarms should not be installed within communal areas of blocks of flats which operate a stay put policy, this is because it would be confusing and even dangerous for residents to hear a communal alarm when they have been advised to stay in their flat in the event of a fire.

Why are there no fire extinguishers in the communal areas of my building? 

Fire extinguishers are not normally provided within communal areas, except where staff are employed on site who are trained to use the equipment. Fire extinguisher are also located within staffed controlled areas and higher hazard rooms such as facility  plant rooms and staff rooms.

In the event of a fire, don’t try to put it out: follow your evacuation plan and get to safety.

Why don’t we have fire drills in my building? 

The Fire & Rescue Services advise that it is not practical to have fire drills in residential blocks.

As an alternative, you and your household should ensure you’re up to date on fire safety advice, and that all household members know what to do in the event of a fire, including practising your evacuation plan.

How often is the firefighting equipment checked?

We test, maintain and service all firefighting equipment regularly to make sure it’s in good working order.

  • Emergency lighting – every month.
  • Fire alarms systems – every six months.
  • Dry riser – every six months.
  • Automatic opening vents – every year.
  • Firefighting equipment – every year.
  • Sprinkler system – every year.

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