Fire safety in communal areas

Fire safety in communal areas is just as important as in your own home. This page explains some of the things we do to ensure your safety, as well as some things you can do to keep yourself and others safe.

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Emergency lighting

Many of our larger schemes will have emergency lighting that’ll help to guide your escape. If you notice an issue with your emergency lighting, please report this as a repair by calling 0800 111 4013 and pressing option 1 or by using our online form.

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Keeping exits clear

Knowing your fire evacuation plan is crucial, but it’s only going to help if there are no obstructions to that exit. Keeping exits clear in your own home and in communal areas is extremely important. Many people find themselves feeling disorientated in an emergency, so ensuring all fire exits are clear could be the difference between life and death.

Even something as simple as a vase of flowers on a windowsill is considered to be an obstruction, so keep this in mind when decorating your property.

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Fire risk assessments

A fire risk assessment has been carried out in the communal area of your property. These assessments are a legal requirement in rented properties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

A fire risk assessment will:

• Identify fire hazards
• Identify people at risk
• Evaluate, remove or reduce these risks and protect against any remaining risks
• Record, plan and inform or train on any appropriate actions as a result of the risk assessment
• Be reviewed.

If you have any questions about the fire risk assessment for your property, you can get in contact with your Housing Officer.

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Fire Safety Frequency

The frequency of the fire risk assessment will be dependant on the scheme.

Risk Profile	Example	FRA Frequency
Low Risk	Purpose built residential blocks on no more than 2 storeys above ground. Community rooms, scheme lounges or stores which do not have any associated sleeping accommodation.	Every 3 Years
Medium Risk	Purpose built residential blocks of between 3 and 5 storeys above ground.	Every 2 Years
High Risk	Sheltered and LSE schemes with sleeping accommodation / flats as part of or adjoining common parts Supported housing (with communal areas or shared accommodation) Care and extra care (with communal areas or shared accommodation) Home of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) Hostels and Foyers (with communal areas or shared accommodation) Converted premises (with communal areas or shared accommodation) Residential blocks greater than 5 stories Offices that are used as workplaces Residential blocks which also include underground parking or below ground storage, plant rooms or accommodation	Annually

All FRA’s will be reviewed annually or sooner if there is a significant change to a premise including:

• Structural or material changes to the building
• Change in the tenure classification of the property e.g. a change from General
• Needs to Sheltered accommodation (with internal communal areas)
• Fire, near miss or threat of arson

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Fire Safety Equipment

Equipment Type	Frequency
Emergency Lighting	Monthly Testing, Annual Service
Fire Alarm (with Panel)	Weekly Testing, 6 Monthly Service
Domestic Fire Alarms	Weekly Testing, Annual Service
Automatic Smoke Vents	Weekly Testing, 6 Monthly Service
Portable Fire Fighting Equipment (Extinguishers or Fire Blankets)	Monthly Check, Annual Service

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