Fire safety in flats

Many of our development have sprinklers fitted within the flats. These sprinkler systems are designed to suppress a fire. It’s really important that they are maintained and fully operational at all times. We have a legal obligation to inspect and test the sprinklers within your home every 12 months.

There are two parts to the inspection/test:

• A pressure test - sometimes the pressure valves are within the flat and other times they are within the communal area. Our contractors will check the pressure valves to make sure they will provide enough water pressure to the system if activated.
• A visual inspection of every sprinkler head within the property - to ensure they’re in the right position, there are no obstructions or damage to them. This inspection/test usually doesn’t take any longer than half an hour and is completed by one of our competent contractors. The engineer will let you know if any problems are identified during the inspection and will report back to us to agree what work is required to repair it.

Sprinklers are life safety equipment, so when we contact you about your annual sprinkler check, you'll need to give us access so we can test and inspect the system. We are legally required to complete these inspections and checks and will work with you to ensure we do this on time, with minimal disturbance to you. If you refuse us access to complete the checks we will have to take legal action to gain access and you will be responsible for the cost associated with this. Our priority is to keep you, your family and residents living in your building safe.

If you are unsure if your sprinklers have been tested in the last 12 months, or if you know your sprinklers need to be tested, please contact us.

Since January 2023, new regulations mean that we carry out quarterly checks of all fire doors in the common areas of residential blocks over 11m high, as these play an important part in containing any fire. 

We also complete annual checks of entrance doors to flats which lead on to the common areas of a block as these also count as fire doors.

However tall your building is, please: 

• keep fire doors closed - don't prop them open as they're there to stop the spread of fire
• don’t tamper with doors and self-closing devices
• report any faults or damage to fire doors or self-closer door fixings immediately, so that we can fix them. 

Read more about fire doors and the 5 Step Check.

If your flat or maisonette is being affected by fire or smoke and your escape route is clear:

• Get everyone out, close the door and walk calmly out of the building. Do not use the lift.
• Call 999, give your address, the number of your flat and state which floor the fire is on.

If there is a fire or smoke inside your flat or maisonette and your escape route is not clear:

• It may be safer to stay in your flat or maisonette until the fire brigade arrives.
• Find a safe room close the door and use soft materials to block any gaps to stop the smoke.
• Go to a window, shout “HELP, FIRE” and call 999.
• Be ready to describe where you are and the quickest way to reach you.

If there is a fire in another part of the building:

• Purpose-built maisonettes or blocks of flats are generally built to give you some protection from fire. Walls, floors and doors can hold back flames and smoke for 30 to 60 minutes. (Check the Fire Action Notices within the communal areas for the fire procedures that apply where you live.)
• You are usually safer staying put and calling 999. Tell the fire brigade where you are and the best way to reach you.
• If you are within the common parts of the building, leave and call 999.