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Safety notice for residents in high rise flats
5 November 2009
You can download this notice as a document by clicking the link below:
important fire safety notice for residents in high rise flats
Please read this important information carefully and keep it handy at all times.
If you live in a high rise block of flats, there are some important things you should know about how to prevent fires and what to do if fire breaks out.
building safety features
Your block of flats has been designed and built with fire safety in mind.
4 walls and doors between flats, stairs and corridors are specially designed to resist fire and stop the spread of smoke.
4 roads and all access areas outside your building are designed to enable emergency vehicles to get as near as possible to your building.
do not block your fires escape routes, please:-
4 keep stairs and corridors in your building clear of clutter/rubbish. They could be a fire risk and block escape routes in the event of an emergency.
4 do not block entrances and exits or put portable heaters or anything that catches fire easily in the hallway.
4 remember you share a building with other families, your safety and those of your neighbours depends on everyone co-operating and being aware of any fire risks.
4 ensure all communal doors are kept closed.
how to prevent fires, remember:-
4 never leave children alone at home. Keep matches out of reach and do not let children near cooking and heating appliances when in use.
4 do not smoke in bed. This is a major cause of fires in the home. If you smoke finish your cigarette before going to bed and make sure it is stubbed right out.
4 never leave candles unattended. Candles are naked flames, make sure you extinguish candles and incense sticks at night.
4 chip pans are another major source of fires in the home. Do not fill it more than a third full of fat or oil. Never leave the pan unattended without turning off the heat. If the pan does catch fire, do not throw water on it – turn off the heat, smother the flames with a damp cloth or lid and leave for half an hour or call the Fire Brigade. Avoid the use of chip pans if you can.
4 have your own heaters serviced every year. Make sure they cannot be knocked over and keep them away from furniture and furnishings, also make sure nothing can fall onto the heater.
4 do not overload electrical sockets – try and keep to one plug per socket.
4 before going to bed, switch off all electrical appliances. Carefully remove plugs from electrical sockets. Ensure any candles or cigarettes are put out. Close all internal doors. Check there is nothing blocking the hallway or your front door.
what to do if fire breaks out in your flat
4 leave the room at once, and close the door. Do not tackle the fire yourself, unless you are absolutely sure it is safe to do so.
4 alert any other people in the flat and assist them to leave their property.
4 leave the flat and, when everyone is out, close the front door. Do not use the balconies, which are not part of the escape route.
4 call the fire brigade by dialling 999 on the nearest telephone or mobile.
4 if you have to leave the building, use the staircase, not the lift.
if fire breaks out elsewhere in your building
4 Incommunities adopt a stay put policy. Each flat has a one-hour fire safety door designed to resist a fire. But, if your flat is affected by the heat or smoke, leave at once, closing windows and doors behind you.
4 follow the emergency fire exit signs in your building.
smoke alarms save lives!
4 hard-wired or battery operated smoke alarms should already be fitted in your home. If you do not have these, then please contact your local Incommunities office. Leaseholder residents should contact the leasehold management service.
4 you should always test your smoke alarms regularly to ensure the alarms are working properly. Never remove the batteries, unless you are replacing them and never tamper with any part of your fire alarm system/smoke detectors.
4 a smoke alarm is a warning device that detects smoke at the earliest stages of a fire. If there is a fire in your home the alarm sounds a piercing warning.
4 a smoke alarm will wake you up and give you vital extra time to escape.
To book a free Home Fire Safety check call today on freephone: 0800 587 4536
For any more information on fire safety go on to the website: www.firekills.direct.gov.uk
The safety of our customers is a top priority and it is important that everyone takes the right steps to protect themselves and your home
your local area offices:
aire-wharfe 0845 166 0100
6-14 Devonshire Street, Keighley BD21 2DG
west city 01274 254700
Commerce House, 24 Kirkgate, Bradford BD1 4QL
east 01274 257200
Dudley Hill Business Centre, Knowles Lane,
Bradford BD4 9SW
north 01274 254400
Ravenscliffe Avenue, Bradford, BD10 0JJ
shipley 01274 257300
The Old School, Wrose Brow Rd, Shipley BD18 2NT
south 01274 254900
Park View Mills, Wibsey Park Avenue, Bradford BD6 3QA.
leasehold management service 01274 254250
We are committed to providing equal access to information. If you would like this information in another language or format, please contact your local Incommunities office.