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Newlon Housing Trust

Fire safety information

Maintaining the safety of our residents and the buildings they live in is our top priority. We have a dedicated Building Safety Team who work closely with qualified experts and the London Fire Brigade, with whom we are also in a Primary Authority Partnership.

What we’re doing to keep you safe

  • We are committed to implementing the recommendations from Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of building safety.
  • We follow all relevant Government guidelines relating to fire safety and Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs), including the Fire Safety Act 2021, which states that FRAs include external walls of all residential buildings, irrespective of height.
  • We deliver an ongoing rolling programme of regular FRAs on the buildings we manage (for those 18m and higher we do this every year or sooner) and make sure that any actions raised are resolved by the given deadline.
  • Fire doors help stop the spread of fire or smoke and we check them regularly in the buildings we manage.
  • We take action if we find items or belongings being stored in any communal areas or cupboards. If any items are flammable, we may remove them immediately.

How you can help

If you have any concerns or need to raise fire safety repairs in our buildings please contact us by calling 020 7613 8080 or emailing firesafety@newlon.org.uk. Please call us if the matter is urgent and in an emergency you should always call the emergency services on 999.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility and you also have a crucial part to play. It’s important that you and the people you live with know what to do in the event of an emergency and also how to reduce the risk of fire in and around your home. Please read the advice and recommendations below carefully.

Do you know the evacuation strategy for your building and where you can easily find it?

An explanation of the strategy specific to your building will always be posted in your building, most often at the main entrance, so that visitors or contractors can also make themselves aware of the strategy in place. In fact any building that you may enter as a resident, worker or visitor must display the evacuation strategy in place for that building – whether it is a block of flats, a workplace, a shop or an entertainment venue.

The vast majority of UK purpose built residential blocks of flats operate a Stay Put evacuation strategy, often referred to by Fire Safety professionals as a Defend In Place policy. It is no different for Newlon Housing Trust.

Stay Put means that the compartmentation afforded by the building structure and materials is such that it will provide at least 60 minutes protection from fire. In nearly all circumstances this will be enough time for the fire service to attend and deal with the incident without the need for neighbouring flats to evacuate. The fire alarm will only sound in the individual affected flat and will not sound in the corridors. The flat in which the fire occurs should evacuate whilst all other residents remain in their properties.

If residents from neighbouring flats decide to evacuate themselves contrary to the stay put strategy, then they are permitted to do so but must make their way as quickly as possible out of the building via the protected staircases, not lifts, but at all times minimising their impact on the fire service’s activities.

Some of our buildings may have either a Phased Evacuation or a Simultaneous Evacuation strategy and this will have been determined as a result of the building’s Fire Risk Assessment.  The building will perhaps evacuate on a block by block basis if operating a Phased strategy, or a full evacuation of the building for a Simultaneous Evacuation strategy.

Fire alarms and detectors

There are fire alarms within each flat that are designed to detect a fire in the earliest stages of development. For a Stay Put building these are normally a series of alarms that are interlinked to each other to sound an audible alert within the individual flat only, as part of the evacuation strategy.  These will mainly be smoke alarms but there may also be heat alarms in or close to the kitchen areas.  

On hearing the alarm the resident should react to the reason and either prevent any further escalation of the issue (such as removing burnt toast or a boiled dry saucepan), or evacuate from their home if there is an incident that is of such significance that they are unable or unwilling to deal with. If safe to do so, early intervention by the occupier will prevent the situation from escalating into a serious fire.

When evacuating, the flat residents should know who is in their property and as far as possible ensure that everyone within it has evacuated at the same time.  This is extremely important information that should be passed on to the Fire and Rescue Service as it will significantly affect their plan of action.

The smoke alarm can be silenced by pressing the test/hush button located on the plastic housing for a few seconds if it is sounding because of an unwanted reason. These type of alarms are hard wired into the flat’s electrical supply but also have a battery back-up and often the alarm will chirp every 30 seconds or so, if the battery or the complete detector needs replacing.

You may notice that enclosed corridors, stairwells, entrance halls and service cupboards may also have smoke detectors fitted at ceiling level. In general, the detectors do not trigger a local audible alarm but are there to activate the smoke ventilation systems which are in position to assist in keeping enclosed common areas free of smoke.

If you notice that the smoke ventilation doors or vents have opened then something has set off the detector (although some systems are also linked to maintain environmental conditions).Clearly if there is smoke in the corridor then this will need action and the fire service should be called. If no smoke is present and you have investigated sufficiently then the ventilation system will need resetting. Resetting of these is undertaken by a Newlon appointed representative.

In a building operating a Phased or Simultaneous Evacuation specific fire detectors within individual flats and shared areas will generate an audible alarm to sound in all those flats and spaces that are required to evacuate.  Residents should then respond accordingly.

There are two types of detectors that you can find in your home: smoke detection and heat detection (heat detectors are usually found in your kitchen). There should be one detector on every level of your home. Test your smoke alarm regularly to make sure it works – we recommend checking it once a week. If you don’t have a smoke alarm, you can get one for free by phoning the London Fire Brigade on 0800 028 4428. If your detector starts beeping this means the battery is low. Please don’t remove the battery until you are ready to replace it with a new one immediately and never cover the detector to silence the beeping.

Barbecues (BBQs)

BBQs on balconies are a major fire risk and are not allowed. Please be aware that BBQs can stay hot for hours, so be really careful moving them. They also give off carbon monoxide fumes for several hours after they go out, so don’t bring them indoors with you.

Balconies

You should not store anything on your balconies, or decorate them with combustible items which could catch fire, such as bamboo screens. If your balcony is cluttered it can contribute to the spread of fire and prevent the fire services from doing their jobs properly. BBQs on balconies are a major fire risk and are not allowed. Additionally, as cylinder devices, such as portable gas heaters are not to be used stored on balconies. Please do not smoke on your balcony.

Candles and naked flames

Some fires are started by candles, incense and oil burners. Please make sure these are safely put out before leaving the room, especially at night when there is a risk you could fall asleep. Place these items on a flat, fire-resistant, stable surface away from flammable items like curtains, furniture and clothes. Where possible purchase LED, battery-operated candles as these will reduce the risk of fire starting.

Escape routes

It’s important that the Fire Brigade can reach you easily if there’s a fire and that you can get out of your home quickly and easily in an emergency. Take some time to plan and practice an escape route with your family (usually the best escape route is the way into your home). Wherever possible plan a second route in case this one is blocked. If there are older people or young children make a plan that includes helping them out safely and keep any keys you need in the same place so you can find them quickly. Every night check your escape route is clear. Please remember to be aware of the evacuation strategy for your building and whether the advice is to stay put or evacuate in the event of a fire. If you are unsure what this is please call us on 020 7613 8080 or email firesafety@newlon.org.uk.

Festive fire safety

Festive decorations really brighten up our homes at any time of year. But it’s also important to make sure they’re safe. Here are our top festive fire safety tips:

Christmas trees

If you opt for a live tree, remember that they can dry out and become a fire hazard, so make sure you:

  • Keep it well-watered.
  • Place it away from heat sources.
  • Dispose of it after the festive period (check your council website to find out about tree collection dates).

Fairy lights and electrically lit Christmas trees

  • Turn all the lights off before you go to bed and whenever you go out.
  • Be careful not to overload sockets with lots of plugs from multiple strings of lights.
  • Don’t let the bulbs touch anything that can easily burn.

Candles and tea lights

  • Put your candles or tea lights in snug-fitting holders on heat resistant surfaces.
  • Make sure all candles are completely extinguished before you go to bed or if you go out.
  • Place them away from curtains and out of any draughts.
  • Make sure there’s more than one metre between your candles or tea lights and any surface above them.
  • Keep them well out of reach of children and pets.

Paper chains and other decorations

  • Make sure you keep any decorations well away from heaters, lights, candles and fireplaces.

Kitchen safety

Around 60% of fires in the home begin in the kitchen. Please don’t leave your cooking unattended. When you’ve finished, double-check that everything is off and that any hot surfaces are clear. Be careful of wearing loose clothing when you cook. Over time, grease can build up in the oven, hob and extractor – keeping them clean will reduce the risk of fire.

Smoking and vaping

We would like to remind our residents that smoking and vaping is not permitted in those common areas of your building that are shared spaces with others, such as corridors, staircases, entrance halls and lifts. Please ensure your visitors and guests also follow these requirements.

Smoking is a leading cause of fire fatalities in the UK. If you smoke, please make sure cigarettes are put out and disposed of properly. It is safer to smoke outside but never smoke or throw cigarettes off balconies. If you do smoke indoors, avoid smoking in bed or in armchairs and sofas if you are tired and don’t balance lit cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray or anything else. Run water on your ashtray before you empty it. If you use a vape, always use the charger that came with it. Check the battery for damage, buy from a reputable seller and do not leave it charging for extended periods.

E-bikes/scooters

There are an increasing amount of fires caused by e-scooters and e-bikes as a result of the batteries overheating. The majority of these fires have happened in homes and they are often caused when charging batteries but sometimes fires from e-bikes and e-scooters can occur at other times, for example when the batteries are hot and they are still being used. Please do not attempt to modify or tamper with the battery and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when charging them. To reduce the risk of batteries overheating, allow them to cool down before attempting to re-charge. Batteries should also always be charged on hard flat surfaces where heat can dissipate. Batteries can also pose a risk if they have been damaged, so try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use or while being carried. You should never leave the battery charging unattended or charge it while you are asleep. You should unplug your charger once it’s finished charging and always use the correct charger for your batteries and buy any replacements from a reputable seller.

Please for up to date guidance and information about e-bikes/scooters, please see the advice from the London Fire Brigade.

In 2021 Transport for London (TfL) banned e-scooters from London’s transport network. This is due to a number of fires on the network involving these vehicles. This means you’re unable to take your electric personal vehicles on any TfL service. You can read TfL’s full guidance on e-scooters on their site. Not all personal electric vehicles, such as e-scooters and e-unicycles are road legal in the UK. This means you could be fined by the police for using them on the road in the UK. Always check to see if you can use your vehicle on public roads.

For safety reasons we also need to assess and approve any mobility scooters that would be stored in your home or on Newlon property. Please contact our Service Centre to enquire about this.

Communal areas – corridors, walkways, fire doors

It’s very important that communal areas such as corridors, walkways and fire doors are kept clear of obstructions like rubbish, prams, bikes, furniture or clothes. This is so everyone can safely escape the building if they need to and firefighters can safely enter and exit the building when fighting a fire. We ask residents not to leave any items outside their home including door mats, shoes, plant pots, bikes and pushchairs as all of these items pose a potential risk in the event of a fire. If you find rubbish or other items blocking communal areas or fire escapes, please contact us.

Communal service cupboards

There are a number of cupboards in blocks of flats to access gas, water or electrical services. These are not storage cupboards and should be kept locked; residents must not use them to store items as it increases the risk of fire starting and spreading. If you notice a cupboard that has a damaged or open door or is full of items, please contact us as soon as possible. 

Gas cylinder devices

Gas cylinder devices, including portable gas heaters, gas-fuelled barbecues and blow torches, pose the risk of fire or explosions. We don’t allow gas cylinder devices to be used or stored anywhere on our estates, including on balconies, in roof-top gardens, communal gardens and indoor communal areas. Contact your local council to arrange disposal.

Fire doors

Doors throughout the building, including your front door, are designed to prevent fire and smoke from spreading. Please do not make any changes to your door or leave it propped open. If you come across any door in your building that is damaged please tell us about it us as soon as possible. If the door is left open please close it immediately.

Electrical safety

A large number of domestic fires are caused by electrical faults. Read our quick guide to electrical safety below. It’s vital to look after electrical equipment – just because something works doesn’t mean it’s safe. To make sure your home is safe, you should inspect electrical fittings and equipment to make sure they’re in good condition. Look out for the following:

Plugs

  • Plugs should fit tightly into sockets.
  • Their casing should be free from cracks.
  • Watch out for burn marks or signs of overheating.
  • The cable should be firmly secured in the plug.
  • None of the pins should be bent.
  • The cardboard label on the bottom of the plug should be removed.
  • Plugs shouldn’t rattle.

Electrical leads

  • Leads should be free from cuts, fraying and damage.
  • Don’t use two or three-way multi-way adaptors.
  • If you’re using an extension lead, make sure it’s fully uncoiled.

Sockets

  • Sockets should be free from cracks or other damage.
  • Check them for burn marks and signs of overheating.
  • Make sure they’re properly secured to the wall.
  • Make sure the switch works properly.

Lighting

Check that your light fittings are not visibly damaged, or that lampholders are not damaged, scorched or corroded. Check downlighters and their surroundings for signs of overheating such as curled labels and discolouration or scorching.

Consumer units and electricity meters

Check the consumer unit (fusebox) and electricity meter. Check that you are not storing combustible materials around your consumer unit and electricity meter.
Test regularly the residual current devices (RCDs) in your consumer units by pressing the “test” button every three months. Press and release the “test” button on the RCD/RCBO and the power should “trip”. If you are a Newlon tenant and the RCD/RCBO fails to operate correctly please report to Newlon. Leaseholders and shareholders should contact a skilled electrician.

Carrying out electrical work yourself

You must have our permission before any electrical work is carried out in your home and we’ll need confirmation that the work has been done by a qualified person.
Electrical work must always be carried out by an electrician registered with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC). The NICEIC website allows you to search for registered electricians in your area, as well as providing safety advice for householders.

Find out more by reading the Electrical Safety Council’s guide ‘How Safe is Your Home?’ and look at the guidance provided by the Electrical Safety Council.