COVID-19 Home Fire Safety Checklist

As we are all spending more time at home, there may be an increased risk of fire.

If you, or someone you know is a smoker over 50 years old (who live alone, have long term health or mobility problems or use medical oxygen) please use the contact number below for advice on what to do next.

Otherwise, use this checklist to help keep you and others safe during these challenging times. Once done, you can call the Fire Service with any queries – they are here to help keep you safe.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A HOME SAFETY VISIT:

• TELEPHONE: 0800 0731 999;
• TEXT: “FIRE” to 80800; or
• USE ONLINE FORM: Fire Scotland website

FOR HOME SAFETY ADVICE:

• EMAIL: N.PKADPrevention@firescotland.gov.uk;
• CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FIRE STATION or
• VISIT THE FIRE SCOTLAND WEBSITE

 

You can find all this information in the  COVID19HomeFireSafetyChecklist poster

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Preventing Fires in Stairwells

We were all shocked by the recent fire at Lordburn Place in Forfar, which was reported in the local press. We’re asking all Council tenants to promote fire safety in and around blocks of flats.

 We take the issue of fire safety very seriously and we want to ensure that tenants and their families are as safe as possible from the dangers of smoke and fire.

Common parts of any shared premises are particularly vulnerable if rubbish is allowed to build up in stairwells.

How you can prevent a fire in your block 

• Do not store rubbish or flammable materials in communal areas.
• Report any build up of such materials immediately to ACCESSLine.
• Keep fire exits and escape routes clear. This could either be a door leading from your home, a balcony walkway or shared landing or staircase. The hall may be the only way out of your home so make sure there is nothing in the way that might slow you down in an emergency.
• Be aware of your nearest fire exits.
• Do not wedge fire doors open.

In the event of a fire

• Call the fire service on 999.
• Use the stairs, not a lift.
• If you are trapped, close the door of your room and use bedding or clothes to block up any gaps under the door that might let in smoke or fumes.
• Shout ‘FIRE’ from the window and tell people to call the fire service.                                                                                                                                          

  What we do to keep flat occupants safe

• We inspect our blocks of flats on a regular basis to identify and report any issues for priority repair – we will take action against anyone who endangers the safety of occupants of blocks by dumping rubbish in stairwells

• We work with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to ensure our blocks of flats are as safe as possible, carrying out regular fire risk audits.

• We carry out Fire Risk Assessments in all communal areas to ensure our blocks meet the highest possible fire standards.
  

If you have any concerns regarding the safety of your building,

 contact your local housing team

on ACCESSLine 03452 777 778

  

 

 

 

Revised Fire Safety Guidance for Private Landlords

The Scottish Government recently issued revised guidance for private landlords on satisfactory fire alarm provision permitting the use of tamper proof long-life lithium battery alarms to comply with the repairing standard from 1 March 2019.

The revised guidance has now been published on the Scottish Government website.

This guidance will cease to have effect from 1 February 2021, at which time private landlords should refer to the Scottish Government guidance on the tolerable standard, Chapter 16: Satisfactory Fire Detection.

 

Private Landlord and Letting Agent Update

Fire Safety in the Private Sector

The Scottish Government recently issued information about changes to legislation which will affect private sector properties. This explains what every house in Scotland will require by way of fire and smoke detection within the next 2 years.

Landlord Accreditation Scotland – Training Courses

The next LAS training course -‘Tenancy Agreements & Notices’ is taking place on 26 September 2018 in Arbroath. Please click here for more detail and to book your place on the training session

Please keep checking the blog for housing and landlord updates

 

National Recognition for Our Work on Fire Safety

Since 2011, we’ve installed sprinkler systems in all new-build council homes and now we’ve gained national recognition for it.

Strategic Director for Place, Alan McKeown, was presented with the Bernadette Hartley Memorial Award from the National Fire Sprinkler Network for his significant contribution to the cause for sprinklers. Alan was nominated for the accolade by The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association for his work in promoting the use of sprinkler systems and received the award from BAFSA Scottish Coordinator, Danny Doherty.

The presentation took place at Academy Court in Forfar (formerly Chapelpark School) which is the latest development to have a sprinkler system installed.

Alan’s commitment towards fire safety has helped to ensure that all of our new build council houses delivered in Angus since 2011 have been fitted with a sprinkler system as standard.

Danny Doherty and Alan McKeown

 

Alan said:

I’m very proud to have received this award as it reaffirms our determined belief that sprinkler systems should be fitted in new homes as standard.

Doing all we can to prevent fire will always be our first priority but, when they do occur, we want to minimise their effects and keep people safe. We and our Scottish Fire Service partners believe that sprinklers have a real practical and effective role to play in this safety agenda.

This award acknowledges the hard work and commitment of many people, past and present. I’ve been fortunate to have had Conveners such as the late Cllr Frank Ellis, Cllr Jim Millar and Cllr Donald Morrison who were unrelenting in their support of fire safety in the home. My present Convener, Cllr Craig Fotheringham remains as focused on the challenge as ever and as a Council we continue to set this as a priority.