Risk of fire, flood and other damage
Liquid petroleum gas
Insurance
Gas safety and Carbon monoxide poisoning
Fire safety
Water safety
Useful numbers

 The risks of fire, flood and other damage

You must not keep inflammable materials, liquids or gases in the property other than may be reasonably required for domestic use or do anything which might cause a fire, flood or other damage to the property. If you live in a flat or maisonette, you are not allowed to keep or use liquid petroleum gas, other than that in disposable containers such as aerosols which comply with the current British Standard for disposable cylinders and which have a maximum capacity of 1 litre. The number of such cylinders must be limited to that reasonably required for domestic use. You must not store dangerous or offensive substances in the communal areas.

The use and storage of liquid petroleum gas in flats and maisonettes is banned by the council. Further details can be found in the booklet 'Liquid Petroleum Gas' which is available from your managing agent. Paraffin Heaters can also be dangerous and can also be a major source of condensation. The council advises that it is best not to use them at all. If you do wish to use a paraffin heater, it should conform to British Safety Regulations BS3300 and carry the BSI kite mark. Heaters should be sited where they cannot be knocked over or are in a draught. They should never be positioned in escape routes such as entrance lobbies or hallways.

 Insurance

We will insure the structure of the building against certain risks, together with our fixtures and fittings, but we are unable to insure your furniture and possessions. You should seek advice from an insurance broker or insurance company about the best contents insurance cover for your needs.

Our fixtures and fittings include: installations for supplying or using gas, electricity and water, built-in furniture, internal fixed glass, basins, sinks, baths and toilets, pipes, ducts, tanks, wires, cables, switches, boilers and storage heaters, and fixed wall, floor or ceiling coverings other than carpets.

 Gas safety

If you think you have a gas leak turn off the supply at the meter and immediately call Transco on Freephone Gas Emergency 0800 111 999 or Housing Control emergencies 0208 871 7490 (Do not call from a mobile phone).

If you have council installed gas-fired heating or hot-water system it will be serviced and inspected annually by the council's contractor. You should report any faults and defects to the contractor who is required to respond within 24 hours.
As the council has a legal duty to inspect and properly maintain all gas appliances that they own, you must ensure that access is given to the council's contractors or the council may seek a court injunction and costs could be awarded against you.

If you have installed your own gas-fired heating or hot-water system you should have it serviced annually by a contractor registered with CORGI. In addition the council must inspect the appliances annually. Tenants must obtain written permission before installing a gas appliance.

If you own a gas cooker, it is your responsibility to maintain it in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Carbon monoxide poisoning
You can't see it, taste it or even smell it but carbon monoxide can kill. The early symptoms of poisoning include tiredness, drowsiness, headache, pains in the chest and stomach pains. You are particularly vulnerable when you are asleep.

There is a particular risk if you sleep in a room where an appliance, which is not of the balanced-flue type, is left burning at night.
A balanced-flue appliance is one that normally has the flue outlet on an external wall rather than exiting at or above roof level.
It is now illegal to convert or let a bedroom, which contains an open flue appliance without a safety device.

Do not:

• use a gas appliance if you suspect it is not working properly. Signs to look out for include yellow or orange flames, soot or stains around the appliance and pilot lights which frequently blow out
• cover an appliance or block vents
• block or obstruct any fixed ventilation, grilles or air bricks
• block or cover outside flues or chimneys
• fit draught stripping to doors of a room containing a gas appliance before getting advice from your managing agent or CORGI registered installer

Further details can be found in the Health and Safety Executive booklet gas appliances (pdf). For further advice contact your managing agent or you can find out more about carbon monoxide on the CORGI site, you can also call the housing heating team on (020) 8871 7040.

 Fire safety

Your building has been designed and built with fire safety in mind. Both in single dwellings and blocks of flats, the walls, doors and stairs, are specially designed to resist fire and stop the spread of smoke. It is essential that these are properly maintained and not removed. When not in use the doors should be kept closed.

Outside the building, roads and other areas are designed so that emergency vehicles can get as near as possible. Never obstruct them.

You should be aware of the nearest public telephone close by where you can call the fire brigade. You can find more on fire safety on the Fire Brigades section of our site.

Smoke Alarms
The fire brigade recommends that all households fit a smoke alarm and gives the following advice:

• buy an alarm which has the British Standard kite mark on it and meets BSS 5445 Part 1.
• follow the maker's instructions when installing
• The best protection is obtained by fitting a smoke alarm in each room but not the kitchen or bathroom, and 
• test the alarm every month by pressing the test button and change the battery as least once a year.

Smoke alarms are widely available from DIY stores, builders merchants, electrical and hardware shops as well as some garages and supermarkets. They cost about £5 each and are easy to install.The Fire Brigade are currently carrying out free home fire safety checks in your borough and they will also fit a free smoke alarm where needed. Call them free on 08000 28 44 28.

All Council tenants have been offered the opportunity to have smoke detectors installed free of charge and we are aware that a significant number have yet to take up that offer. If you would like more information about the scheme please contact your managing agent and arrangements can be made for an installation.

Security Grilles
The fire brigade is opposed to security grilles as they delay access to homes in an emergency. The council has therefore put a ban on residents fitting a grille unless its fitting conforms to Building Regulations. If you want to fit a security grille, or have already fitted one without the council's permission, contact your managing agent for further advice.

 Water safety

If you are not sure how the water supply to your home works, contact you managing agent. The water system will not usually cause problems but it is important that you know what to do if something goes wrong.

Make sure you know how to turn off the water supply to your home. Every home has a mains water stopcock, that means a tap which will stop any more water coming into the pipes if you have a leak or some other problem. Make sure you know where the tap is.

If you have a burst pipe

• Turn off the water at the stop cock at once
• Turn on all cold water taps only to drain water from the system
• Turn off boilers and immersion heaters. Gas fires can still be used
• Turn off electricity at the mains switch as water may have touched the electric system, make sure an electrician checks the whole system before turning the supply back on
• Wrap a cloth or something similarly tight around leaks
  If you are a tenant, telephone you managing agent or, outside normal working hours, Housing Control 020 8871 7490.
  

Do not:

• Turn on hot water taps when draining tanks, as the hot water storage tank may collapse.

Overflows
Overflow pipes are fitted to WC cisterns and cold water tanks as safety outlets if water continues to pour into water tanks after they are full. An overflow can be caused by a bit of grit caught behind the valve which should close when the tank is full.

You can try:

• flushing the toilet
• pressing the ball valve in the tank gently below the surface of the water an allowing it to rise slowly. Try this 3 or 4 times.

If the overflow is still leaking contact you managing agent if you are a tenant, otherwise contact a competent plumber.

See our Cold Weather advice pages for advice on insulation or freezing or call your housing manager. You can also get more information on frozen pipes from the Thames Water website.

 Useful numbers

Housing Emergency Numbers
For properties managed by Housing Contract Services,
Housing Control (24 hours): 020 8871 7490
Warden Services (24 hours): 020 8871 7741

Other Useful Numbers
Communal Heating and Hot Water 020 7924 2800
Door Entry System Defects 020 8871 6875
Lift Defects 020 8871 6872

In extreme emergencies please call 999.