Fire Safety
EPIC is committed to ensuring that your homes are safe to live in; this includes making sure that your homes meet fire safety regulations.
Where our buildings share a communal space, we complete Fire Risk Assessments regularly; the frequency of these assessments are determined by the assessor. 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.
Smoke alarms and heat detectors
As your landlord, we provide and fit smoke alarms in all our properties.
It’s your responsibility to check regularly that your smoke and heat alarms are working, and we would advise you to test them monthly.
If your alarm starts to bleep, it may have developed a fault or simply need new batteries, so please let us know if this happens.
If you do not think you have a working smoke alarm in your home, please contact us so we can arrange to have one installed.
Your smoke alarm could save your life in a fire, so please don’t tamper with it. You should never disconnect or take the batteries out of your smoke alarm.
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.
What can you do to support EPIC in keeping tenants safe?
- Test your smoke alarm regularly and report any faults to EPIC 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.
- 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 as soon as possible.
- 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.
- Do not carry out any unauthorised alterations to any fire safety measures in your home.
- Let us know if someone else moves into your home.
- Report anything you see that could pose a risk of fire.
- As a tenant, you must live and behave in a way that does not increase the risk of fire or damage to your home or building.
- 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 or use barbecues in communal 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 if you need to store medical oxygen in your home.
More information
For more information of Fire Safety visit https://www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/your-safety/safety-at-home/
