Fire Safety

At the recent AGM the directors outlined the outcome of a Fire Risk Assessment carried out in September. As a result a lease change has been initiated to cover three of the significant findings outlined in the assessment. 

The change is immediate and it is important that owners endeavour to implement items 13 and 14 as soon as possible. 

The current doors were deemed adequate. But following discussion at the AGM it was agreed that the door policy could be relaxed so that owners could replace the front door so long as it had been approved by the directors and met FDS30 standards (as outlined in Point 15 below). 

The amendment has been made to (j) of the Second Schedule to the leases of the flats at Highland Court and it was resolved that the following additional regulations be added to those set forth in the Third Schedule of the lease:-
 
13. All front doors must be fitted with self-closing devices.
14. Intumescent strips and cold smoke seals must be fitted to the existing door frames.
15. Any replacement of the front door to a Flat must be approved beforehand by the Directors of the Association. The replacement must meet the current regulations – at present a FD30S door is required. A request to replace a door must be made in writing with the full details of the proposed replacement and the door shall not be replaced without the prior written consent of the Association and all reasonable conditions imposed by the Association must be complied with.

Here are a couple of websites which offer fire doors which are FD30S compliant:

https://www.justdoorsuk.com/composite-fire-doors.php

https://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-door-fitting-and-ironmongery/

The Directors have also spoken to two companies who can fit the required fixtures to your current front door. In order to complete works, the companies will need access to individual doors with clearance to remove the door itself, all locks and all fittings to allow for clear movement of rebating tools. They will also need access to electricity points and a workstation away from residential access areas; tools will be noisy, and some mess will be made despite the use of dust extraction units.

Benstead & Sons - www.bensteadglass.co.uk 
Have agreed a discounted price for supplying and fitting the closures to Highland Courts doors - £115 + VAT

D&J Services - email: cassman40@hotmail.com
Have agreed a discounted price for supplying and fitting the closures to Highland Courts doors - £150 + VAT

D&J Services have recommended the following:

• 15mm intumescent fire and cold smoke seals along both door edges, and along door top.
• 30min fire rated door closer, surface mounted/concealed.
• The above works will take approximately 3 hours to complete PER DOOR, and we will need to book in a minimum of two doors per day in order to secure a visit.

Please note this D&J Services quote is for a minimum of 2 doors or more at HC. Please email the Highland Court Directors if you wish to change your door. One owner has already come forward.

Below we have also outlined additional precautions you can apply to your household to make it safer.

Fire Safety Advice: Protecting you and your household

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 are more than twice as likely to die in a fire if you do not have a working fire alarm, so:

1. Fit a smoke alarm and test it regularly.
2. Never disconnect or take the batteries out of your smoke alarm.
3. Landlords are legally obliged to install smoke alarms and can be fined if they do not do so.
4. Please also read the Home Fire Safety Guide.

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

1. Don’t leave cooking unattended, and avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone with cooking on the hob.
2. Be especially vigilant when cooking with oil. Don’t overfill chip pans and NEVER throw water on a chip pan fire.
3. Make sure cigarettes are put out properly and don’t smoke in bed.
4. Don’t overload electrical sockets.
5. Turn off appliances when not in use. Don’t leave them on standby.
6. Keep matches and lighters out of reach and sight of children.
7. Make sure that any 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.
8. Keep safe and plan your escape.

If your home does not have a smoke alarm fit one in your entrance hallway. For even better protection fit one in the lounge/living room and fit a heat alarm in your kitchen. Make sure your smoke and heat alarms meet British and European standards.

Get an electrician to fit mains-powered devices, and buy models that have a standby power supply in case of mains failure.

Your flat is in a building designed to be fire-resisting. A fire should not spread from one flat to another, so that you need not leave your home if there is a fire elsewhere in the block. That said, if in doubt, get out.

Always leave if your flat is affected by smoke or heat or if told to by the fire service.

Your stairway is designed to be safe for escape throughout the course of a fire. Always use the stairway to descend to ground level if escaping.

Do Not Leave your Belongings Or Rubbish On Landings, The Stairway Or The Entrance Lobby. This could affect you and your neighbours if there was a fire.

If you are on the landing or stairway and notice a fire, leave the building immediately and, if safe to do so, alert other residents in the immediate vicinity on your way out (knock on their doors)

Do Not Put Yourself At Risk. Do Not Return To Your Flat Until It Is Safe To Do So. 

Remember:

1. Test your smoke alarm once a week.
2. Keep the exit route from your flat clear so you can escape in an emergency.
3. Close doors at night, especially the doors to the lounge and kitchen to prevent fire spreading.
4. Plan your escape NOW. Be prepared and don’t wait until it happens.