Investing in fire safety
We’re investing in a programme of major fire safety improvements across Hackney’s council homes and estates to make them safer in the long term.
This ranges from large investments, like replacing cladding on tall buildings to meet the most up to date standards, to small changes that make a big difference, like getting the right fire safety signage in communal areas.
Some of the main changes include:
- fitting new or upgraded front doors on around 17,000 Council homes including all homes on the sixth storey or higher. These more fire-resistant doors provide at least 30 minutes’ fire and smoke protection, while still meeting secured by design standards during both manufacturing and installation to provide safety and security to residents
- replacing external wall insulation (cladding) on high rise buildings on 4 estates – Lincoln Court, the Nightingale Estate, Hugh Gaitskell House and the Nye Bevan Estate. While the existing cladding used on these buildings was not similar to that used at Grenfell Tower, the changes are bringing these buildings up to the most up-to-date fire safety standards
- installing a sprinkler system to one building at 355 Queensbridge Road. This is to provide additional safety due to the particular design of that building and the high number of older residents who live there
- installing dry risers outside blocks to help the London Fire Brigade tackle any outbreaks of fire. Since May 2018, dry risers have been installed outside more than 200 buildings
How we keep your block safe
The fire safety equipment installed in your block is designed to protect you from fire, give you early warning and help your escape in an emergency.
The fire doors in your home and in your block prevent fire and smoke spreading into the corridors, balconies and stairwells. You must make sure that fire doors are kept closed at all times and not blocked.
Please do not remove the door closing devices that are fitted. and let us know if they become damaged
You must never change your doors without permission, this allows us to make sure any new door will give you the right level of protection and security.
We have installed communal lighting with battery back-up in case of a power failure.
This will make sure your escape routes are well lit if you need to evacuate.
All ventilation in communal corridors and lobby areas are an important part of the building’s fire protection design to prevent smoke from building up in your escape route and bring in clean air.
We have been installing mains powered smoke alarms in all rented properties over recent years.
This includes providing additional features for our vulnerable residents, such as easy access smoke alarms that can be tested from the wall rather than the ceiling and smoke alarms with strobe lights and vibrating pads for residents with hearing difficulties.
Where alarms are installed, we ask residents to test them regularly and report any problems.
If your alarm starts to bleep, you have any concerns about it or if you would like more information on how to have an alarm installed, please call our service provider on 020 7241 7657.
Homes with gas appliances will also have a carbon monoxide detector in the room where the boiler is located.
These alarms sound different and the detectors look different If you have a CO (carbon monoxide) detector, please read the information on what to do in a gas emergency. The Health and Safety Executive provide further advice on carbon monoxide awareness.
We have also installed communal fire detection and alarm systems in some blocks where particular fire hazards exist.
View your building’s fire risk assessment
We carry out fire risk assessments in the communal areas of all our blocks to put in place appropriate fire safety measures to manage any risks identified.
How regularly FRAs are undertaken depends on the type of building and the level of risk. The highest risk buildings are assessed annually, and the lowest risk assessed every four years.
Fire hazards are categorised according to their potential consequence and probability, and rated critical, high, medium, low or advisory. Issues raised in FRAs are prioritised and completed in a timescale according to their priority.
The time for an issue to be completed might range from immediately to several months dependent on what is found and the circumstances of an individual building.
Most buildings will include some level of risk identified, but this does not mean a building is unsafe to live in. All the urgent actions highlighted in a fire risk assessment will be completed as quickly as possible.
Below is a link to view and download a Fire Risk Assessment for a desired block. We have also created an information guide with instructions for you to follow.
You need to use the following login details to view and download a Fire Risk Assessment:
Username: fra.user@hackney.gov.uk
Password: Hackney/100
View and download a Fire Risk Assessment
How you can help keep your block safe
You should avoid keeping combustible items in communal areas. Read our guide.
If you own a vehicle, please also consider where you park on your estate to help the fire brigade:
- avoid parking close to estate fire gates, entrances and exits
- leave enough space for larger vehicles to pass your vehicle
- park within parking bay markings and in a straight line
- park as close to the curb as possible
never park over a fire hydrant – look out for an ‘H’ with a yellow background
- never park in front of a dry riser – look out for a red box next to an estate
- block entrance which says ‘Dry riser’
If you see any fire safety issues on your estate, such as damaged equipment, blocked access routes or safety hazards, report it by emailing housinginfo@hackney.gov.uk.
In partnership with London Fire Brigade, we are encouraging all residents to remove the security grilles on their windows and doors as this could delay your escape from your home or delay emergency services getting into your home.
If you are worried about the security of your home, contact your neighbourhood contact centre to identify alternative security measures.
If the removal of a security gate is recommended following a fire risk assessment or for a new fire safety door to be installed, we’ll write to you asking you to remove your gate and explaining why.
If you don’t comply, we will remove the gate and you may be charged.
Know your fire plan
Each block includes a fire action notice in the communal area explaining what you should do in the event of a fire.
This will explain whether your block is ‘stay put’, meaning you should stay in your home if there is a fire elsewhere in your building; or ‘get out’ meaning you should evacuate if there is a fire anywhere in your building.
If you have a communal alarm system within your block, when you hear the alarm sound you must evacuate immediately and go to your street level assembly point as detailed below:
The main square at the front of the block next to the shops.
The pedestrian area on the corner of Hackney Road and Weymouth Terrace.
The car park outside Fermain Court on the corner of Hartford Road and Downham Road.
Outside Ben Johnson Court.
In front of 1-39 Milborne House on Mead Place.
Outside Rowe house on the corner of Retreat Place and Rivaz Place
Outside 48-106 Loddiges Road and outside the shops on Frampton Park road.
In the car park at the rear of the block.
Find out more
Our fire safety policy aims to minimise the risk of fire in residential properties managed by the Council.
Page updated on: 22 November 2022