Fire Safety Guidance

General approach to fire safety

Hexagon takes the management of fire risks seriously and has established expected standards based on risk, regulatory requirements and the terms of tenancy / leaseholder agreements.

These standards seek to minimise the potential for ignition and fire spread within communal areas. The fundamental principles governing this approach are:

• All communal areas must be kept clear and free from obstruction at all times;
• All communal areas must be kept free from ignition sources (with the exception of necessities such as communal lighting);
• All communal areas are kept clear of  combustible materials at all times;
• A No Smoking policy exists in all common areas, regardless of whether these would be classified as significantly enclosed under the relevant legislation; and
• The communal areas of the blocks do not belong to any individual and as such residents do not have the right to store or leave anything in the common areas of a block.

The following may* be permitted in open corridors and on open walkways provided:

1. Items placed in the corridor, on windowsills and walls, for example window boxes and hanging baskets, must be made of materials that would not easily burn, e.g. metal, ceramic, porcelain;
2. Items must not cause an obstruction or hazard of any type, this should allow a width of 1 metre clear passage between the items and the inside of the balcony / walkway wall. Where several properties have plant pots, these must all be on the same side of the walkway or corridor;
3. Removable clothes lines / drying racks are allowed provided they allow a width of 1 metre clear passage between the items and the balcony/walkway wall and are not left after use or overnight;
4. Washing lines are permitted provided they are:
   • installed close and parallel to the wall and not across walkways;
   • not attached to pipes;
   • do not allow clothes to drape over walkways; and
   • not left overnight.

 *Where there are other concerns regarding fire safety at a premises Hexagon may locally alter these provisions and inform residents accordingly.

 Mobility Scooters and E-scooters

Residents must not store or charge mobility scooters or e-scooters in communal areas of blocks.

Where residents have a  mobility scooter they should refer to their Neighbourhood Officer, or Co-op for advice.

Unacceptable items  

Residents must not store gas cylinders / compressed gas cans including BBQ gas canisters, other than oxygen or other medical gases anywhere within their building (this includes in their dwelling, designated storeroom/ cupboard, garage or within communal areas).

Residents must not use or store items within communal parts of their building. Any stored items may be removed without notice

Door and window security

Residents may install an intruder alarm system. There are circumstances, where security grilles over either doors, windows or on occasions walkways will be allowed until capital works are carried out, this is intended to be a temporary allowance till such time as a Secure by Design door is fitted.

Once a Secure by Design door has been fitted to a dwelling security grilles, gates, bars etc. will not be allowed.

The fitting of lockable gates across communal areas is not permitted.

Please do not store combustible items on private balconies

 These include :

1. Multiple pushchairs, buggies, prams etc. (e.g. a large number piled up);
2. Plastics – i.e. plastic garden furniture, children’s toys etc.
3. Chemicals, including paints, varnishes, brush cleaner, turpentine, petrol, oil, diesel, fertilisers, weed killer or cleaning fluids etc.;
4. BBQs or fuel for BBQs, i.e. LPG canisters, firelighters, charcoal or briquettes;
5. Candles, tea lights, incense sticks, lighters or matches etc.;
6. Upholstered furniture or fabrics – i.e. padded chairs, armchairs, curtains;
7. Recycling and other household waste;
8. Petrol vehicles – mopeds, scooters, or any other fuelled vehicles;
9. Bedding or mattresses;
10. Washing machines, fridges, freezers, tumble dryers or similar;
11. Portable electrical goods e.g. TV sets, music players etc. (if left plugged in / active when not attended);
12. Shopping trolleys;
13. Lockers, bookcases, cupboards or similar (unless of metal and occupying no more than ¼ of balcony);
14. Unsecured / loose carpet, artificial grass or similar (unless definitive evidence can be provided it is not combustible);
15. Combustible privacy screen (e.g. bamboo screen / fencing);
16. Festive decorations (Christmas trees, lights etc.) (with the exception of battery or solar powered lights);
17. DIY materials – wood, timber, mastics, glues, adhesives etc.; or
18. Heat sources – e.g. electric, gas or oil heaters or fire pits.

The list above is not exhaustive and Hexagon reserves the right to request immediate removal of any item/s deemed to pose a risk to safety.