What is your building’s evacuation strategy?
The advice on what to do if there is a fire in your building is different, dependent on the evacuation strategy in place.
If you’re not sure whether your building is operating a ‘Stay Safe’ policy or evacuation strategy, contact your housing provider or the managing agent for the building.
Stay safe, Stay put policy
If the evacuation strategy for your building is ‘Stay Safe’ (you may also hear this called a ‘Stay Put’ policy); this means that if there is a fire in your flat you should leave the flat and the building. If there is a fire somewhere else in the building, you can remain in your flat and do not need to leave the building.
Evacuation Policy
If your building operates an evacuation strategy; this means that if there is a fire somewhere else in the building you must evacuate even if your flat does not seem to be affected. Failure to evacuate the building upon hearing the fire alarm puts you at serious risk in the event of a fire and could put firefighters at risk.