Fire Safety

Most blocks have a Stay Put policy, click here to view. Your fire evacuation strategy can also be found on the noticeboard at your development.

Fire risk assessments are carried out regularly to assess the safety of your building and identifies any work that is required. We can provide a copy of the latest report on request.

We carry out monthly site inspections that undertake fire safety checks amongst other regular checks and tasks.

This is a detailed plan of all the safety checks that are undertaken at your development including annual dry riser testing to ensure the fire brigade can fight fires and other fire safety equipment (such as emergency lighting etc) that needs to be checked, tested and maintained. We can provide a copy of this on request.

Here are a few top tips on what you can do as a resident to help with fire safety. “As per the London Fire Brigade smoking is the number 1 cause of all fires fatalities in the home”   

In your own home:

• Ensure you have a working smoke alarm and a safe exit route
• Never leave lit candles unattended
• Close all internal doors when you go to bed or are out of the flat
• Take extra care in the kitchen most fires start here, do not leave the hob or oven on unattended, especially with hot oil.
• Ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and disposed of carefully, do not smoke in bed.
• Do not overload electrical sockets
• Purchase Home Contents Insurance which will cover the cost of replacing or repairing your possessions if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen.
• If you have a balcony please ensure that
  • If you smoke that cigarettes are fully extinguished and do not throw cigarette butts from the balcony
  • No BBQs are allowed whether that be gas or electric
  • No heaters or gas cannisters or flammable materials
  • Do not store anything that could restrict your exit in the case of a fire
• If you own an e-Bike or e-Scooter, please read additional advice here.

In communal areas:

• Keep communal areas clear of obstructions – don’t leave prams, pushchairs, bikes, dump rubbish or leave other possible obstructions in spaces like hallways, corridors or stairwells – helps minimise the risk of a fire spreading.
• Do not smoke in communal areas or throw cigarettes off your balcony. Do not extinguish cigarettes in communal areas, please use dedicated cigarettes bins.
• Do not prop open communal fire doors, these are designed to stop and slow the spread of a fire.

This is not an exhaustive list for further advice on keeping your home safe see links below.

• The government have produced a useful guide on fire safety in your flat.  https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1093391/Fire_Safety_in_Flats_-_Web_accessible.pdf
• The London Fire Brigade https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/

If you or anyone in your household might need assistance to evacuate in the event of a fire, please contact our team urgently on safety@iangibbs.com or 020 8370 4810.

Did you know that the front door to your home and the fire doors within the communal areas (corridors, stairwells etc) are fire doors? They are essential in fire prevention by reducing and stopping the spread of a fire and smoke to allow fire rescue services to gain access and assist people to escape. It is really important that fire doors are regularly checked and maintained.    Please do not wedge or prop open fire doors, in the event of a fire the door will only be effective if it is closed.

Fire doors and flat front doors are inspected by an independent specialist contractor on an annual basis. Communal fire doors are also inspected at least every 3 months, but we aim to undertake a basic check on our monthly site visits to ensure that any issues are highlighted and dealt with quickly.

If you have been contacted by our team to undertake an inspection of your flat front door, please do ensure that you make every effort to provide access to undertake this important check. If you are advised that your door needs to be replaced this must be with a certified fire door that can withstand the effects of heat and smoke up to 30 minutes (FD30S). It must be installed by a certified contractor/installer and have a suitable door closer. If you would like more information contact our team at safety@iangibbs.com or 020 8370 4810.

For further information on fire doors click here

London Fire Brigade advice https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/property-management/fire-doors/