Fire Safety

What to do if there is a fire in my home?

• Do not let anyone in the home if the smoke alarm is going off (do not put yourself and risk, shouting may be the safest option), and exit at the nearest and safest escape route.
• Close doors behind you as you exit, this can reduce the speed a fire can spread.
• If there is smoke, try to crawl where possible, the air will be clearer.
• Call 999 for the fire service as soon as you safety can.

How to keep safe in the home?

• Check and test all fire detection regularly, including smoke, CO and heat detectors.
• Know your home, be aware of all the options for escaping if you need to.
• Keep all exit routes clear.
• Never leave cooking appliances on and unattended.
• Keep items like lighters and matches out of reach of children.
• Avoid hoarding, this can increase the chances of a fire and also cause a fire to spread quicker.
• Electrical – follow the guidance on electrical safety in the home.
• Gas Safety – follow the guidance on gas safety in the home.

If you need any further home advice on fire safety Leicestershire Fire and Rescue can offer guidance and other services including home visits.

All shared accommodation owned by us, which include flats, sheltered schemes and extra care schemes, operate a stay put policy in the event of a fire.

What is a stay put policy?

A stay put policy is where the tenants stay in their flat when they are made aware of a fire.

The walls and fire door (known as the compartmentation) in the building are surveyed to confirm they can hold back a fire until the fire brigade can assist.

When a fire occurs within a flat, the occupants alert others in the flat. They then make their way out of the building and call the fire brigade. All other people in the building not directly affected by the fire would be expected to ‘stay put’ and remain in their flat unless directed to leave by the fire brigade.

Tests and Servicing

Internally

• Fire Alarm Testing
• Emergency Lighting Testing
• Visual Inspection to Fire Extinguishers
• Weekly walk around and checks of all sites

Externally

• Servicing to Fire Alarm
• Servicing to Emergency Lighting
• Servicing to Fire Extinguishers
• Servicing and Inspections to other items e.g. Automatic Opening Vent (AOV), Waste Chute, Dumb Waiter.

Sterile Zone Approach

All communal areas in any block of shared accommodation operate a “sterile zone approach”, meaning all communal areas must be clear. Weekly checks happen at all sites to ensure these areas are clear.

Where they are not clear, tenancy warnings are issued to remove the items. If they are not removed, we will have to raise a clearance, the cost of this will be recharged back to the tenant or leaseholder.

Tenancy warnings can be issued for leaving items in communal areas, it is part of the tenant agreement.

If this is having an impact on other people and meets the criteria, it can be referred to our safer communities’ team who can issue Community Protection Warnings (CPW’s), Community Protection Notices (CPN’S), and Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’S).

Anyone that lives in shared accommodation must apply for permission to have a mobility scooter. Tenants and leaseholder must not bring or keep a mobility scooter on site without permission. Storage has to be agreed with us so we can ensure it complies with fire safety.

We operate "sterile zone approach" to all common areas. Mobility Scooters cannot, under any circumstance, be stored either temporarily or permanently within any communal area. This includes storage rooms within the block, drying areas, corridors, under stairways, and any other area with general access.

Mobility Scooters pose a fire risk due to the obstruction they can cause in common areas and escape routes. The batteries and charging are high risk which means storage and safe charging is essential.

Owning a Mobility Scooter

• Tenants and leaseholders must maintain the scooter, keeping it in a safe condition to avoid putting anyone else at risk.
• Tenants and leaseholders must have a Portable appliance testing (PAT) test completed at their expense by a competent person annually and provide a copy of the certificate to us.
• Tenants and leaseholders must purchase a scooter that is suitable for their accommodation, if it needs to be stored in the property it may be a requirement to purchase a smaller model that will fit.
• If the battery is charged inside the property, at the time of your permission the location will be agreed and additional detection will be installed if required, it is your responsibility to test this monthly.

Safe Storage

• Those who have been granted permission to store a scooter in the property(not shared area) must store this with the battery detached. The battery must be stored and charged in a fireproof storage bag that meets British standards.
• Scooter storage and charging pods are available at several of our accommodation sites. Where a pod is available for rent the owner of the mobility scooter should do so, if they have no other storage and charging options that meet the requirements of the Mobility Scooter Policy.
• Where there is no suitable storage, an anchor can be attached to the external wall for a scooter to be locked to by the owner. We take no responsibility for these scooters’ security

Safe Charging

• Charging should be undertaken in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never leave a battery charging unattended or when you sleep. Always charge when you are present and can monitor it.

All electrical scooters and bikes have a battery that can cause a fire risk, these can start fires that get out of control quickly.

We operate "sterile zone approach" to all common areas. Electric Scooters and Bikes cannot, under any circumstance, be stored either temporarily or permanently within any communal area. This includes storage rooms within the block, drying areas, corridors, under stairways, and any other area with general access.

If you own one of these, it is your responsibility to maintain it to the manufacture’s guidance.

You can reduce the risk of fire by charging batteries safely and spotting the warning signs that a battery may be dangerous.

How to safely charge a lithium battery?

• Do not block exits with charging batteries.
• Do not charge batteries in escape routes.
• Do not leave a battery charging when you are out or asleep.
• Do not store in any room that anyone is sleeping in.
• Do not charge when the battery is still warm, let it cool down.
• Make sure the battery meets British Safety Standards.
• Use the correct charger and any associated parts.
• When charged unplug the battery.
• Only charge and store in a room that has detection.

There can be warning signs that a battery has an issue and may catch fire.

What to look out for?

• If it is hotter than normal when charging.
• If the battery is looking out of shape, bulges/swelling or leaking.
• Unusual noises, this could be cracking or hissing.
• Unusual smells.
• It the battery is not lasting as long as normal or taking longer to charge.
• If there is smoke then the battery has failed, leave the room closing the door, exit the property and call 999.

E-Scooters
These are classed as a motor vehicle and mean that rules that apply to motor vehicles also apply to e-scooters, you need to have a license and insurance.
If you need any further information on E-Scooters Leicestershire Police provide further guidance and legislative information.

We do not insure your furniture, belongings or decorations against theft, fire, vandalism and burst pipes.

You will need to take out your own household insurance either with the scheme we have through Aviva or by making your own arrangements.

If you want more information on home contents insurance from Aviva, it can be found here.