High Rise Flats

Purpose built flats are designed and constructed to provide adequate safety for all occupants in the event of fire. The walls, the doors between flats, stairs and corridors are specially designed to resist fire and stop the spread of smoke - These doors form an important part of the fire precautions and when they are not in use they should be kept closed.

To help warn you in the case of a fire you should have at least one smoke alarm fitted in your flat.

If A Fire Occurs In Your Dwelling

If a fire should break out in your dwelling you and the rest of your family should leave immediately, closing all doors behind you. Use your fire plan to get out safely.

• If possible close the door of the room affected by fire and the front door of the flat.
• Don't use balconies unless they are part of an official escape route.
• Use the nearest available phone, to call the Fire and Rescue Service.
• Give a precise address and include the name of the town, the nearest main road, the number of your flat and what floor it is situated on.
• Wait in a safe area away from smoke for the Fire and Rescue Service to arrive.
• In no circumstances attempt to re-enter your flat.
• If the door to the room in which the fire started has been closed the fire is very unlikely to spread to other parts of the flat before the arrival of the Brigade.
• Never use the lift, fire-fighters may be using it to gain access to the affected floor.
• If you have to leave your flat and cannot get to the open air without using a lift, it should be sufficient for you to remain within the main stairwell to the building.

If A Fire Occurs Elsewhere In The Building

• It should normally be safe for you to stay in your own flat. But if your flat is affected by heat or smoke, leave at once closing windows and doors behind you.
• If you are not affected by heat or smoke, then stay in you own dwelling keeping your doors closed and remain there unless a fire officer or some other authoritative figure asks you to leave.

Escape Routes

When you share a building with other families, both your safety and theirs depends on everyone co-operating. Make sure you follow these recommendations:

• Don't be tempted to clutter up the communal stairs and corridors in your building - you might need them one day. A number of serious fires in the communal areas of flats have been caused by rubbish being set alight.
• The staircases and corridors in your building are fitted with self closing fire doors which are designed to prevent the spread of smoke and fire and it is very important that these doors are kept closed when not in use.
• If you notice either rubbish dumped on escape routes, or fire doors which are damaged or not closing properly - inform the authority responsible for the building.
• In your own flat, the hall is the only escape route for you and your family if fire breaks out - don't obstruct it, particularly with things that catch fire easily and avoid using portable heaters in the hall or at all unless completely necessary - some types of heaters may not be allowed under your tenancy agreement.