Fire Safety

EPIC Housing is committed to ensuring that your homes are safe to live in; this includes making sure that your homes meet fire safety regulations.

How do we manage fire safety?
Where our buildings share a communal space, we complete Fire Risk Assessments regularly; the frequency of these assessments are determined by the assessor. These assessments will create actions for EPIC Housing to complete which will be done in a timely manner. Should you wish to receive a copy of the FRA for the building you occupy, please contact our office.

These blocks are also inspected regularly to ensure that escape routes are kept clear and that there are no combustible items/materials left in communal spaces.

We have installed smoke alarms in all of our homes. All of our six block properties have smoke alarms situated on the exit route, as well as having extra detection in the most used rooms; i.e. living room and kitchens.

What else are we doing to improve fire safety in six block properties?

Since September 2022 we have worked with competent contractors to complete improvements to our six block buildings.

Fire doors
Our most noticeable improvement is the replacement of the flat entrance doors for fire doors. The doors we have installed have been designed to resist a fire for up to 30 minutes and are fitted with a door closer, intumescent strips and fire resistant ironmongery.

The door closer ensures that your door closes behind you when entering or leaving your flat and is an important tool to ensure that smoke does not enter your home in the event of a fire elsewhere, or that it does not escape your home in the event of a fire within your property.

Intumescent strips also help to protect you in the event of a fire by expanding when subjected to heat. By expanding the strips will seal the gap between the door edge and the frame and will prevent smoke from entering your home.

It is important not to tamper with the door or any fittings included on the door. If you notice any defects with the door, please report it to EPIC Housing as soon as possible.

Compartmentation

All loft spaces within our six block properties will benefit from compartmentation when our project is completed. Where there are small gaps between one loft space and another, these gaps will be sealed to ensure that fire is unable to spread via the loft from one property to another.

It is our intention to seal loft spaces to prevent future use. This is to prevent storing combustible items in the loft, as well as a measure to prevent any damage to the compartmentation works we have completed.

Removing non-fire-resistant glazing

At the recommendation of our fire risk assessor, we have removed glazing from within our six block communal areas. Typically this will affect those who had bathroom windows facing into the communal area.
This non-fire-resistant glazing has been replaced with fire-resistant boarding. It is our intention in the near future to make this good, both on the communal side and within the property. We will contact those who have been affected by these works in due course.

What can you do to support EPIC Housing in keeping residents safe?

• Test your smoke alarm regularly and report any faults to EPIC Housing immediately.
• Make sure you and your visitors are familiar with how to escape from your home in the event of a fire.
• If you live in a six block property, be aware of what policy is in operation.
• Do not prop fire doors open. If you live in a six block you should also ensure that the communal entrances are kept secure at all times to prevent unwanted visitors.
• Do not smoke in bed or within communal areas and ensure any cigarettes are stubbed out correctly.
• Do not leave cooking unattended. If you intend to use a barbecue in the garden, please ensure it is positioned away from the building and any other structures such as fences.
• Keep communal areas clear of items. Not only can items be a source of ignition, but they can be combustible and also a trip hazard in the event that you need to evacuate the building.
• Store mobility scooters in the garden, 6 metres away from the building.
• Do not store wheelie bins close to buildings.
• Do not light fires/bonfires in gardens.
• Do not use candles in your home.
• Do not overload electric sockets and ensure any cables, plugs and appliances are safe and used as they are intended to be.
• Advise EPIC Housing if you need to store medical oxygen in your home.

If you have any questions or concerns related to the information on this page please do not hesitate to contact us by calling 01782 252575.