Fire safety advice for residents

Protecting you and your household

• The easiest way to protect your home and family from fire is with a working smoke alarm
• A smoke alarm can provide an early warning of a fire and allow you to make your escape –
• but only if it is working. You are more than twice as likely to die in a fire if you do not have a
• working smoke alarm.
• Test your smoke alarms regularly.
• Never disconnect or take the batteries out of your smoke alarm.

You can prevent fire from happening by taking a few simple steps

• Don’t leave cooking unattended, and avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone with cooking on the hob.
• Be especially vigilant when cooking with oil. Don’t overfill chip pans and NEVER throw water on a chip pan fire.
• Make sure cigarettes are put out properly, use a proper ashtray and don’t smoke in bed.
• Don’t overload electrical sockets.
• Turn off appliances when not in use. Don’t even leave them on standby.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach and sight of children.
• Make sure candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains. Children shouldn’t be left alone with lit candles

Remember

• Test your smoke alarm once a week.
• Keep the exit route from your flat clear so you can escape in an emergency.
• Close doors at night, especially the doors to the lounge and kitchen to prevent fire spreading.
• Plan your escape NOW. Be prepared and don’t wait until it happens

London Fire Brigade now provide an online Home Fire Safety Checker which provides tailored advice for your home, or the home of someone you care for.
Home Fire Safety Checker (HFSC) | London Fire Brigade (london-fire.gov.uk)

For residents in Hertfordshire –
Fire safety home visits, school visits and open days | Hertfordshire County Council

Alternatively, you can book a home visit Book a home fire safety visit | London Fire Brigade (london-fire.gov.uk)

For residents in Hertfordshire -
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue: Arrange a Safe and Well visit

It is also worth checking to see if your appliances like washing machines, fridges or dryers have been recalled to ensure they are not dangerous. 

Information for Disabled People (all blocks)

Origin Housing recognise that disabled people may be particularly vulnerable in the case of fire, and we are committed to helping to plan for the safety of all our residents.

Some residents may have difficulty in physically travelling to escape from a fire within their flat. Other residents may have hearing impairments that mean that they may not hear their alarms.

For anyone that needs help or support, Origin Housing will arrange to:

Provide you with a personal emergency evacuation plan. This is a plan for keeping you safe in an emergency. This will be either by allowing you to evacuate safely yourself with the aid of specific equipment or information, or by establishing a process whereby you receive assistance from London Fire Brigade.

Carry out a personal fire assessment (PFA), where we will discuss your needs with you and decide how best to help you keep safe from fire.

We are here to help; please let us know if your condition changes and you need support. Speak to your Neighbourhood Manager, Scheme Manager or Support Worker in person, by calling 0300 323 0325 or email us on enquiries@originhousing.org.uk

Information for managing agents

As a Landlord, you and your letting / managing agents both have a legal duty to keep the people who rent your property safe from fire. This is set out in law under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Housing Act 2004 and associated regulations.

You should ensure you have carried out a comprehensive fire risk assessment (FRA). This should contain the details of the fire safety measures that are in the property. As part of this process, you should also develop an emergency evacuation plan for occupiers, so they know the actions they need to take in the event of an alarm or fire.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 also requires that the responsible person of each property must ensure that any duties imposed by the FSO are complied with in respect of those premises. Article 22 in particular is relevant in this regard - Where two or more responsible persons share duties in respect of premises, each must co-operate with the other person concerned so far as is necessary to enable them to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on them by the Order.

This may include a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) for a tenant who needs extra assistance to enable them to exit a building in the case of emergency. This may be in the form of help, guidance, or special equipment to allow them to evacuate rapidly and safely. You may need the FRA to be carried out by a professional fire risk assessor, who may identify further fire safety measures that need to be carried out.

Origin Housing cannot carry out your fire risk assessment or your emergency evacuation plan.

E-bikes and scooters

For more information:
FIRE Safety in Flats (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Fire Kills Lets Prevent It: Fire Safety for People with Sight, Hearing or Mobility Issues (publishing.service.gov.uk)

If you have any questions please email enquiries@originhousing.org.uk