We take the issue of fire safety very seriously.
At West Kent Housing Association, your safety is our top priority. Here’s what you need to know to help keep yourself, your neighbours, and your home safe from fire.
Your role in fire safety
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Report hazards: If you see anything that could cause a fire or block an escape route, let us know immediately.
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Keep communal areas clear: Items left in hallways or stairwells can be dangerous. We operate a zero-tolerance policy for this.
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Check your alarms: Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be working at all times. Let us know if they’re missing or faulty.
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Follow fire safety advice: Whether it’s about electric scooters or fire doors, we’ll keep you informed—please take it seriously.
Fire doors matter
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Fire doors help stop the spread of fire and smoke.
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Don’t wedge them open or tamper with them.
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If you notice damage or faults, report it straight away.
Evacuation strategy
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Most buildings follow a Stay Put policy: stay in your flat unless the fire is in your home, smoke or heat affects you, or the fire service tells you to leave.
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We’ll let you know if your building has a different evacuation plan.
Support for vulnerable residents
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If you have concerns about evacuating in an emergency, please contact us. We can create a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) tailored to your needs.
How we keep you informed
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We’ll communicate with you every year about fire safety and evacuation procedures.
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New residents receive fire safety information when they move in.
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You can request a copy of your building’s Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) at any time.
What we’re doing behind the scenes
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We inspect fire doors and safety systems regularly.
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We carry out Fire Risk Assessments and act quickly on any issues.
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We work with external experts and regulators to keep buildings safe.
You can read our full Fire Safety Policy below – the main points of which have been summarised on this page for you.