Worried about fire

itsthelittlethings

We’ve had various letters about what is and isn’t allowed in our building because of fire regulations. They specifically told us we weren’t allowed to hang washing on balconies and have wicker fencing. My neighbour, who has a small, yappy dog, has wicker fencing round the edge of her (large) balcony to stop the dog jumping over. She says the housing association originally told her it was ok and she can’t afford to replace it with something fire proof. Three balconies at the front of our building have wicker on them, which I wrote to the HA about. They wrote back to say the neighbourhood officer had been to speak to the residents (which I don’t believe) and that it is being monitored.

I don’t particularly feel like I’m going to burn to death in my bed, but better safe than sorry. Is there anything else I can do? This neighbour has already complained about me when I knocked on her door because she left a wardrobe in the hallway. They seem to listen to her but not to me, except when I report faults like the lights being out in the carpark.

Also everyone else is moving their partners in and we are already a small block of flats. Three or four out of ten studio/ single flats are double occupancy now.

pramsay13

If you think the wicker poses a real fire risk then push it further. You could ask for a fire brigade assessment and ask them the question. 
Personally I don't think it will make a difference so I would just let it go. 

itsthelittlethings

pramsay13 said:

If you think the wicker poses a real fire risk then push it further. You could ask for a fire brigade assessment and ask them the question. 
Personally I don't think it will make a difference so I would just let it go. 

Fire can spread along the outside of a building.

QrizB

itsthelittlethings said:

pramsay13 said:

If you think the wicker poses a real fire risk then push it further. You could ask for a fire brigade assessment and ask them the question. 
Personally I don't think it will make a difference so I would just let it go. 

Fire can spread along the outside of a building.

You've reported it and the HA say they're monitoring the situation.

If you're not satisfied, they should have a complaints process.

Or, if you really want to escalate, try the local paper (assuming you still have one).

itsthelittlethings

We do have an allegedly monitored fire alarm.

itsthelittlethings

If I had a balcony I wouldn’t be screening it off with wicker.

itsthelittlethings

I think I will just be a lot more careful in my own flat. No lighting candles or leaving things charging when I’m out.

elsien

itsthelittlethings said:

We’ve had various letters about what is and isn’t allowed in our building because of fire regulations. They specifically told us we weren’t allowed to hang washing on balconies and have wicker fencing. My neighbour, who has a small, yappy dog, has wicker fencing round the edge of her (large) balcony to stop the dog jumping over. She says the housing association originally told her it was ok and she can’t afford to replace it with something fire proof. Three balconies at the front of our building have wicker on them, which I wrote to the HA about. They wrote back to say the neighbourhood officer had been to speak to the residents (which I don’t believe) and that it is being monitored.

I don’t particularly feel like I’m going to burn to death in my bed, but better safe than sorry. Is there anything else I can do? This neighbour has already complained about me when I knocked on her door because she left a wardrobe in the hallway. They seem to listen to her but not to me, except when I report faults like the lights being out in the carpark.

Also everyone else is moving their partners in and we are already a small block of flats. Three or four out of ten studio/ single flats are double occupancy now.

Anything in the lease or tenancies  to say that that is not allowed? Any impact  on you at all, because I’m not immediately seeing the relevance of this to your fire query?

HampshireH

Wicker is a fire risk because it can carry the flames causing spread

Flame free melts (electric) are a better alternative to candles

itsthelittlethings

elsien said:

itsthelittlethings said:

We’ve had various letters about what is and isn’t allowed in our building because of fire regulations. They specifically told us we weren’t allowed to hang washing on balconies and have wicker fencing. My neighbour, who has a small, yappy dog, has wicker fencing round the edge of her (large) balcony to stop the dog jumping over. She says the housing association originally told her it was ok and she can’t afford to replace it with something fire proof. Three balconies at the front of our building have wicker on them, which I wrote to the HA about. They wrote back to say the neighbourhood officer had been to speak to the residents (which I don’t believe) and that it is being monitored.

I don’t particularly feel like I’m going to burn to death in my bed, but better safe than sorry. Is there anything else I can do? This neighbour has already complained about me when I knocked on her door because she left a wardrobe in the hallway. They seem to listen to her but not to me, except when I report faults like the lights being out in the carpark.

Also everyone else is moving their partners in and we are already a small block of flats. Three or four out of ten studio/ single flats are double occupancy now.

Anything in the lease or tenancies  to say that that is not allowed? Any impact  on you at all, because I’m not immediately seeing the relevance of this to your fire query?

I don’t know, I’ve got about three leases and I’m not paying a solicitor to read them to see if I’m allowed to get a partner.

The more people in a block, the harder it is to safely evacuate in case of a fire. We have a stay put policy but in practice, most people go outside, or at least I would if I could get down the stairs.

QrizB

itsthelittlethings said:

elsien said:

itsthelittlethings said:

We’ve had various letters about what is and isn’t allowed in our building because of fire regulations. They specifically told us we weren’t allowed to hang washing on balconies and have wicker fencing. My neighbour, who has a small, yappy dog, has wicker fencing round the edge of her (large) balcony to stop the dog jumping over. She says the housing association originally told her it was ok and she can’t afford to replace it with something fire proof. Three balconies at the front of our building have wicker on them, which I wrote to the HA about. They wrote back to say the neighbourhood officer had been to speak to the residents (which I don’t believe) and that it is being monitored.

I don’t particularly feel like I’m going to burn to death in my bed, but better safe than sorry. Is there anything else I can do? This neighbour has already complained about me when I knocked on her door because she left a wardrobe in the hallway. They seem to listen to her but not to me, except when I report faults like the lights being out in the carpark.

Also everyone else is moving their partners in and we are already a small block of flats. Three or four out of ten studio/ single flats are double occupancy now.

Anything in the lease or tenancies  to say that that is not allowed? Any impact  on you at all, because I’m not immediately seeing the relevance of this to your fire query?

I don’t know, I’ve got about three leases and I’m not paying a solicitor to read them to see if I’m allowed to get a partner.

Do you have a lease (you own the flat) or a tenancy (you rent the flat)?

It's one thing not to read a tenancy agreement, quite another to ignore a a lease.