Help & Support

We won’t be removing any domestic smoke detectors from individual homes. Only the fire detection and alarm systems in the communal areas are being decommissioned and if required the heat detector in the lobby of your property that is linked to the communal alarm.   

No, the decommissioning of the fire alarm has no effect on your safety as you can stay put within the protection of your own home in the event of a fire.  

If you discover a fire in your home, leave the room where the fire is, close the door and evacuate immediately. Follow the nearest safe escape route closing all doors behind you and move to a safe distance away from the building. When it’s safe to do so, phone 999 to report the fire and give full details of its location.   

No, if smoke or heat affects your home or if you feel unsafe you can leave the building using the nearest safe escape route and move to a safe distance away from the building. Once you’ve left your home you won’t be able to return until instructed that it is safe to do so by the fire service.  

No, your detector is there to provide you with an early warning of fire and is not connected to the emergency services. If you discover a fire, you must call the emergency services on 999.  

The communal area fire detection systems are not directly connected to call the fire service. Whoever discovers the fire must phone 999.   

We’re adopting a ‘stay put’ strategy in buildings where the block is purpose built to support stay put. An alarm system is therefore not required for this strategy and could cause an evacuation situation when not required and could cause the escape routes to become blocked and restrict the access for the fire rescue service.  

No, the decommissioning of the fire detection and alarm systems will have a cost to us. The reasons for decommissioning are all detailed above.  

Fire risk assessments are carried out on all properties that require them. Where actions are identified from these assessments, they’re prioritised and addressed. Regular fire safety checks are also carried out by us to ensure standards remain high.  

This may not have a direct effect on reducing your service charge as in some properties the systems will still be in place to activate other safety precautions such as automatic smoke vents and telling a lift to go to ground level if smoke is detected within the vicinity of the lift.  If the system is completely decommissioned there may or may not be a slight reduction in your service charge.  

• Keep hallways in your home free of clutter  
• Check your internal smoke alarms for functionality  
• Report any hazards in communal areas to us by getting in touch
• Don’t store personal property in communal areas or escape routes  
• Don’t leave waste materials or rubbish in communal areas or escape routes  
• Don’t leave cooking on the hob unattended