Our Fire Safety Strategies

16/08/2017

It's been six months since the fire at Grenfell Tower, Kensington, so we want to provide reassurance by explaining our Fire Safety strategies and what we have been doing.

What are Origin's fire policies?

If you live in a block, fire safety guidance is available in the common areas such as in corridors and stairways.

Fire Service guidance supports a ‘stay put’ measure in many of our properties - in other words, stay in your home in the event of a fire elsewhere in the block - as it helps prevent risk of injury (e.g. smoke inhalation) and allows the fire brigade to enter the building unobstructed to tackle the source of the fire. The fire brigade can then swiftly get to the flat concerned and tackle and contain the fire, or decide if they need to evacuate any other residents

Any building that has this strategy will have been built to withstand a fire for a certain period. If a fire were to break out in an individual flat the fire would be contained within that area as long as the front door onto the stairway/fire escape is closed. This allows the residents in the affected flat to escape and any other resident affected by smoke to leave safely.

Origin has a formal partnership with the London Fire Brigade which ensures we have up to date guidance on how best to keep our residents safe from fire.

Fire safety work

Over the last 18 months Origin has taken further steps to ensure safety by completing full expert assessments on our properties including looking at measures which prevent the spread of smoke and fire and deciding if a stay put policy is appropriate. As part of this work we have been upgrading doors and closers, where required, to ensure that fire is contained and escape routes are protected.

What can you do?

  • Get familiar with the fire safety guidance in your block
  • Keep escape routes clear including communal corridors and stairwells
  • Ensure your front door self closes upon entrance and exit. Report any faults or repairs to us.
  • Check the smoke detectors in your home and replace batteries if necessary https://www.clevelandfire.gov.uk/2016/01/test-your-unsung-hero-smoke-alarms/
  • Let us know if you have any concerns by contacting our Customer Resolution Team on 0300 323 0325.
  • Read the fire safety FAQS

Fire safety for our leaseholders

All of the information above is relevant. However if you decide to replace your front door it’s your responsibility to make sure that the replacement door you choose has a fire rating of ‘30 minutes resistance’ and a compliant door closing mechanism. This is to make sure that you and others in your building have a safe exit route if there is an emergency. It's also good practice to service your boiler on an annual basis and if you sublet your property, it is a legal requirement.