We provide fire safety guidance to tenants living in buildings with more than one household. This is every year, and when there is a change to the building’s fire safety policy, or level of fire risk.
This information meets the requirements of:
- Article 24 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended)
- the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
Fire doors
Fire doors must be shut when not in use. You must seek permission from us to alter or replace existing doors in your home.
You must not remove or tamper with door closers.
To follow the law, we need to ensure all fire doors can protect against fire. This includes flat entrance doors. We check them every year. You must allow access into your flat for us to make sure they are safe.
If the flat entrance opens directly outside, it may not need checking every year.
Keep exterior doors to communal areas shut. This prevents access to the building for anyone that should not have access.
Smoking in communal areas is strictly forbidden.
Fire action
You must leave the building straight away when there is a fire, or the fire alarm sounds.
If fire breaks out in your home:
- leave the room where the fire is straight away and close the door
- get everyone in your home to leave and close every door
- call the fire service
- do not stay behind to put the fire out
- wait outside, away from the building
If you see or hear of a fire in another part of the building:
- you must leave immediately if smoke or heat affects your home, or if the fire service tells you to
- if you are in any doubt, get out and stay out until the fire service arrives
- if you live in a three-storey block of flats, you must leave the building immediately and go to the nearest muster point
Your nearest muster point is shown on the fire safety signs on each floor of the building.
Dial 999 or 112 for the fire service. Do not end the call until the fire service has repeated the address back to you.
Smoke alarms
A working smoke alarm is the easiest way to protect your home and your family.
Your home will have at least one smoke alarm. Test your smoke alarms every week. Never disconnect or take the batteries out of smoke alarms.
We will test your smoke alarms every year. If you live in a leasehold flat, you are responsible for testing your smoke alarms.
Preventing fire
You can prevent fire by making sure you:
- do not leave cooking unattended
- are vigilant when cooking with oil – do not overfill chip pans and never throw water on a chip pan fire
- smoke safely – put cigarettes out in ashtrays, make sure they are fully out, and do not smoke in bed
- do not overload electrical sockets
- remember to unplug charging devices once they are fully charged – do not leave them on overnight
- turn off appliances when you’re not using them – do not leave them on standby
- keep matches and lighters out of reach and sight of children
- do not leave lit candles alone and keep them away from anything that may catch fire
- do not leave children alone near lit candles
- close all doors at night to prevent fire from spreading
Keep safe and plan your escape
Always leave if your flat is affected by smoke or heat or if told to by the fire service. If you are in a corridor or stairway and you see fire, leave the building immediately.
Always use the stairway to descend to ground level and escape the building.
Head to the muster point. Your nearest muster point is shown on the fire safety signs on each floor of the building.
If it’s safe to do so, let residents in the immediate vicinity know about the fire on your way out. Knock on their doors.
Do not put yourself at risk. Do not return to your flat until you are told it is safe to do so.
Mobility scooters must not be left in situ. You must not charge them in communal areas.
Do not leave belongings or rubbish around corridors, stairways, landings, or fire exits. They may cause a fire risk or stop people from leaving the building. In blocks with common stairways, we will remove items to remove the risk.
Contact us
Contact us if you see any problems with:
- fire doors
- smoke alarms
- communal areas
- potential fire risks
Telephone: 01229 876 578
Email: housing@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
By post: Housing Service, Westmorland and Furness Council, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow LA14 2LD
You can also visit Housing Reception in Barrow Town Hall, or Voreda House in Penrith.