Keeping communal areas clear of clutter

Good housekeeping is fundamental to reducing the risk of fire in blocks of flats.

Controlling the presence of combustible materials and ignition sources not only reduces the potential for accidental fires to start and develop in the common parts, it also significantly reduces the scope for deliberate fires. It also ensures escape routes are free of obstructions that might hinder the evacuation of people from the building and access for fire-fighters.

There is a tendency for some residents to treat the common areas of blocks of flats as an extension of their own home. As a consequence, it is not unknown to find personal belongings being stored in corridors and on stairway landings, along with furniture and electrical appliances.

Hurford Salvi Carr advise all residents to keep the communal areas clear of personal belongings and to avoid storing materials in the service cupboards. Fire doors should also be kept shut and not propped open and electrical cupboards kept closed.