Fire Safety

Fire doors and your responsibilities

In blocks of flats, most fires occur within the flats themselves. The flat entrance door prevents the spread of fire and smoke into the common parts and ensures the safety of other customers.

You have an important role to play in ensuring that, if there is a fire in your flat, the flat entrance door is an effective barrier to the spread of fire and smoke into the common parts.

Your key responsibilities are to ensure that:

• Fire doors are kept shut when not in use.
• You or your guests do not tamper with self-closing devices.
• You report any fault or damage to Abri.

If you suspect a fire door is faulty, there are checks you can make. If you suspect the door is faulty, please let us know.

• Check for any damage to the door and door frame and seals.
• Check the door is fitted with a self-closer mechanism.
• Check the self-closer mechanism is not damaged and the door closes flush in its frame.
• Don’t alter your fire door.
• Where Abri are responsible for maintaining your flat front door, please report any concerns to us. Do not try to modify or repair the door yourself.
• Don’t drill into your fire door or cut it in any way.
• Don’t paint over the seals on a fire door.
• Do not remove or disengage any door closer mechanism.
• Do not wedge open fire doors.
• Fire doors should always remain closed.

Abri may request access to inspect your front door, we would appreciate you accommodating us, as this is a legal requirement.

Abri’s clear corridor policy is in place to ensure that in the event of a fire, customers can evacuate safely if they need to and to enable access for the fire and rescue service.

This means that nothing should be stored or left within the communal areas. We regularly inspect these areas and any items found will be removed in line with our tort procedure.

This is also a reminder that the front door to the block remains securely closed & that you do not let people you do not know into the building.

If you are classed as vulnerable or if your personal circumstances change

If you, or anyone living with you, is classed as vulnerable or at risk that means they’d need help in the event of a fire, then you need to contact our Customer Service team who will direct you to someone that can help.

Help us to reduce the risk of fire on your balcony, if a fire starts on your balcony, it could spread quickly, upwards, and outwards putting your home and balconies or flats above you at risk.

You can reduce this risk by:

• If you smoke, fully extinguish cigarettes using an ash tray. Cigarettes should not be dropped over the balcony.
• Never use BBQ’s (including disposable ones) on your balcony.
• Remove any flammable items on your balcony that could catch fire.
• Keep all items to a minimum, removing rubbish and items like furniture, timber, decorating materials, and plastic toys.
• Nothing is to be placed on the balcony surrounds e.g. screens, fairy lights etc.

Protecting you and your household

The easiest way to protect your home and family from fire is with a working smoke alarm. A smoke alarm can provide an early warning of a fire and allow you to make your escape – but only if it is working.

• You should test your smoke alarms weekly.
• You must never disconnect or take the batteries out of your smoke alarm.
• Where Abri are responsible for repairs in your home, report any concerns to us immediately.
• The internal doors in your home will provide some protection from smoke and fire, so please ensure that you close doors at night. Keep the exit route from your flat clear so you can escape in an emergency.

You can prevent a fire from happening by taking a few simple steps:

• Don’t leave cooking unattended and avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone with cooking on the hob.
• Be especially vigilant when cooking with oil. Don’t overfill chip pans and NEVER throw water on a chip pan fire.
• Make sure cigarettes are put out properly, use a proper ashtray and don’t smoke in bed.
• Don’t overload electrical sockets.
• Turn off appliances when not in use. Don’t even leave them on standby.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach and sight of children.
• Make sure candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains. Children shouldn’t be left alone with lit candles.
• Don’t overload electrical sockets and check electrical appliance cables for signs of wear

Check out this useful link for further information on preventing a fire:

Fire safety in the home

How can you reduce the risk of fire when you charge an e-bike/e-scooter?

There a number of ways you can reduce the risks when charging lithium batteries:

• Don’t block your exit with charging batteries or e-bike's/e-scooters. If a fire breaks out, you won’t be able to safely leave your home. Store them in a shed or garage where possible
• Keep an eye out for warning signs that your battery might be failing and becoming a fire risk
• Never leave your battery to charge when you are out or whilst you sleep
• Make sure your battery and charger meet UK safety standards
• Use the correct charger for your battery, and make sure to buy from a reputable seller
• Let you battery cool before charging it
• Unplug your charger once the battery has charged
• Fit smoke alarms in the area where you charge your batteries

The warning signs your e-bike/e-scooter or battery is a fire hazard

Heat: It’s normal for batteries to generate some heat when charging or in use. However if your device’s battery feels extremely hot to the touch, there’s chance it’s defective and may start a fire

Bulging: A battery bulging or swelling out of shape is a common sign of it failing. If your battery looks swollen, you should stop using it immediately. Similar signs include any type of lump or leaking from the device

Noise: Failing lithium batteries have also been reported to make hissing or cracking sounds

Smell: If you notice a strong or unusual smell coming from the battery, this could also be a sign of it failing

Performance: A failure to fully charge or longer charge times can be a sign that your battery is failing

Smoke: If your battery or device is smoking, a fire has already started

What you should do if your lithium battery is a fire risk

If your battery shows any of these signs of failing, immediately turn off the device and unplug it from the power source. Call the device manufacturer or retailer for further instructions. If the device starts smoking or catches fire, raise the alarm, get out, stay out and call 999 immediately. If you’ve spotted the warning signs, make sure you report your faulty battery to your local Trading Standards office.

Disposing of a lithium battery

Lithium batteries should not be placed in the same bins as your regular rubbish or recycling. If they overheat, they may cause it to catch fire. Instead check your local authority's website for the safe way to dispose of lithium batteries in your area.