The Building Safety Act 2022 came into force in January to put into action some of the lessons learnt from the Grenfell disaster. Our building is subject to this new legislation, and as a result of this you will have seen that new fire signage has gone up and new testing regimes introduced. This is to clarify to residents what they should do in the event of a fire:
If a fire breaks out in your flat:
Leave the room where the fire is straight away, then close the door.
Tell everyone in your flat and get them to leave.
Close the flat entrance door behind you.
Do not stay behind to put the fire out.
Do not use the lift.
Wait outside, away from the building.
Call the fire service – dial 999 or 112.
If you see or hear of a fire in another part of the building:
The building is designed to contain a fire in the flat where it starts.
This means it will usually be safe for you to stay in your flat if the fire is elsewhere.
You must leave immediately if smoke or heat affects your home, or if you are told to leave by the fire service.
Do not use the lift.
If in doubt – get out.
To call the fire service:
Dial 999 or 112.
When the operator answers, give your telephone number and ask for the fire service.
When the fire service reply, give the postcode and address where the fire is.
Do not end the call until the fire service has repeated the address correctly.
Do not assume that someone else has called the fire service – make the call.
Fire Alarms
Smoke or fire in the common parts will activate the fire alarm system and open the smoke vents. There are no manual activation points.
Alarm sounders are only within the common parts, not within the flats.
Smoke detectors in flats are stand alone and are not connected to the common parts system.
The alarm system will not automatically call the fire service.