Our contractor completes a FRA on any building where we manage internal shared communal areas, usually every one or two years, depending on the type of building.

We will put up a notice in advance at least a week before notifying tenants of the date of the inspection. Residents can raise any fire safety issue with our assessors or contact us in advance on 02890876019 or repairs@clanmil.org.uk.

Our internal team then reviews these and shares the findings from the report with the relevant teams.  Any action required is then programmed and the central team monitors their progress in completing actions.

How regularly FRAs are undertaken is dependent upon the type of building and the level of risk placed upon it.  

• Blocks which are 6 storeys and higher, supported housing or sheltered housing: we complete FRAs at least once a year. All other buildings will get an FRA at least every 2 years.  We also complete a new FRA, although this may be done internally, when major work has been completed on a building.
• For New built properties, the first FRA takes place after residents have moved in.  This means the fire risk assessor can consider the building and how it is lived in.

FRAs are a useful technical document to provide us with an overview of the fire safety arrangements of a building.They are one of the tools we use to manage our properties. A little like a car's MOT, the FRAs provide a snapshot of what was found at the time of inspection. For example, it might highlight a pram or rubbish obstructing a hallway as a hazard, but that hazard might be removed hours or days later. Similarly, an FRA will not pick up on hazards in place after the FRA is completed - for example, if a fire door is damaged in between FRAs.

This is why it is important residents report any concerns they might have about fire safety. By working together, we can keep our buildings as safe as possible.

Each FRA includes an assessment of fire risk to the building. The risk rating considers the risk of the fire, and the impact if there was a fire.  There are usually 3 or 5 main risk ratings used:

Trivial - No action is required, and no detailed records need to be kept.

Tolerable - No major additional controls are required.  However, there might be a need for improvements that involve minor or limited basis.

Moderate or low - Risk reduction measures should be implemented within a defined time period.  Many high-rise blocks will fall into this category based on the number of significant findings or issues arising, often due to the number of flats and density of population. All blocks rated as moderate are inspected annually, as are all blocks of 5 storeys or more, irrespective of their overall risk rating.

Substantial or medium - Where significant risks are identified a block may receive a rating of substantial. All blocks that receive a substantial rating are re-inspected within 3 months.

Intolerable or high - The highest risk category is awarded in exceptional circumstances with immediate action to be taken.

The assessment also gives a risk rating of what the risk level will be once the recommended actions have been completed.

Fire equipment in our blocks can include emergency lighting, Automatic Smoke Vents (AOV) dry risers and fire alarms.  We check all equipment regularly to make sure it’s in good working order.  The frequency of the checks is outlined below

• Emergency lighting – 3 monthly
• Smoke Vents – annually
• Dry risers - annually
• Fire alarms – 3 monthly
• Firefighting equipment - annually

The reason for this is that most residential blocks operate a “stay put” policy.  This means that in the event of a fire, it’s safest to remain in your own flat, unless smoke or fire is affecting your own home.  If there was an alarm system in the block this would mean people would leave and it could prevent the Fire Brigade from reaching the fire and putting it out.

All urgent actions are completed as quickly as possible.  Other actions are completed based on priority.  Sometimes, these may be combined with other work taking place in a building to minimise disruption to residents. If you have any concerns about any actions that you do not think have been completed.

Yes, your building is safe unless the Fire & Rescue Service, who we work with closely or the Fire Risk Assessor say otherwise. 

We all have a role in keeping buildings safe. Some things you can do to help include:

• Testing the smoke alarm in your property regularly to ensure it works.
• Ensuring all fire doors are kept shut and the self-closer on your front door is present and works.
• Keeping balconies and all communal areas clear including ensuring they are free from rubbish, mobility scooters bicycles, prams, electrical appliances and clutter.
• Making sure you know where your nearest fire exit is.
• Preventing unauthorised people from entering the property.
• Not smoking in the communal area of the building.
• If you have to smoke in your home, always fully extinguish cigarettes and dispose of them carefully and safely.
• Reporting any crime or anti-social behaviour in or around the block to the Police and to us.
• Not parking in a way which could obstruct emergency services responding to a 999 call.  You should never park over a fire hydrant (look out for a sign with an ‘H’ with a yellow background) or in front of a dry riser (look out for a red box next to a block entrance which says ‘Dry Riser’).