On 23rd January 2023, the Fire Safety Regulations (2022) come into effect. This outlines our obligations to keep our buildings and customers safe in their home.
The regulations apply to all flat blocks which contain a communal area.
As a responsible landlord, we make sure our customers can access information when they need it. One of the key requirements of the new regulations is to keep customers informed with the latest advice and reminders on how to stay safe in their home.
Keeping you safe in your home
In response the new regulations, we are reminding customers of the following key points:
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How to evacuate if there is a fire
If the fire isn't in your own flat and your flat is not affected by a fire elsewhere in the building.
Stay put and call the emergency services by dialling 999. Your flat entrance door is fire rated to protect you for enough time for the fire services to address the fire or rescue you.
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If a fire breaks out in your flat
Get everyone out - making sure you shut the door behind you - and call the emergency services on 999.
If you cannot escape:
- shout for help from a window
- keep as many doors between you and the fire closed (this is why your door closer is so important!)
- if you are trapped in a smoke-filled room, crawl on your hands and knees keeping your face close to the floor to exit the building.
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How to report a fire
If you discover a fire, call the emergency services on 999 straight away.
What to do when a fire has occurred
Please let Thrive know what has happened by calling 0800 917 6077. Depending on the extent of the damage, we will work with you to find alternative accommodation and make sure you and you have a safe place to stay.
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Fire doors – what they do to protect you and your building
Your front door and all doors in the communal area are fire doors and will resist fire for at least 30 minutes which allows enough time for the fire and rescue service to attend an incident.
Fire doors act as a barrier to help contain the fire to one area and prevent it from spreading.
These can only do their job when they are kept shut and when the door is not modified from its manufacturer’s condition.
Please ensure:
- your door closer is fully attached
- none of the components such as the letter box or peephole have been removed or changed
- you haven’t drilled or screwed anything into the door or doorframe such as a Ring Doorbell or Christmas wreath.
Doing so damages your door and stops it operating as it should by increasing the chance of smoke or fire spreading.
How to check your fire door is in working order
Accessing up to date safety information
Thrive regularly provide safety information to customers. Most recently, we asked 2,300 customers living in flat blocks to complete a survey about the safety of their building.
32 out of the 49 responses told us they have not received safety information from us in the last year. It's important we keep you updated with this advice, so we'll be working with Thrive Customer Voice members to understand how we can raise awareness of this in the coming months.
Interested in taking part? Become a member here!
In our newsletters you'll always find a safety update. Following our recent online customer event about building safety, customers suggested the use of video and animation could help make safety information more engaging.
Acting on this feedback, our next email newsletter will be sent to customers at the beginning of February and will feature the above video on how customers can check their fire door is in working order in six simple steps.
In addition to this, information about the safety of individual flat blocks is available on our website for customers to read their latest Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) findings and will soon provide cleaning and grounds maintenance schedules too. Stay tuned at thrivehomes.org.uk/my-home-info
If customers have any questions about the safety of their building, our building safety team is on hand. Meet them at thrivehomes.org.uk/safety-team or email fire@thrivehomes.org.uk