Fire safety information for residents living in flats operating an evacuation strategy

The information on this page is only for residents in flats operating an evacuation strategy. If your flat operates a ‘Stay Safe’ policy please visit this page (internal link).

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.

If the fire alarm sounds, you must take the following immediate actions:

• Get everyone in your flat out.
• Make sure your flat door closes behind you.
• Leave the building using the emergency exit routes and stairs provided (don’t use the lift).
• Get out, stay out, call 999.

If you feel that you would be unable to evacuate the building without assistance you should contact your housing provider or the managing agent for the building.

What to do when you are outside the building

You should move away from the building and go to the assembly point and wait for the fire service to arrive. Please do not leave before we arrive – it is important that we know how many people have evacuated the building and you may be asked for details about where you live. If the fire was in your flat tell them where your flat is in the building, where in your flat the fire started and what is on fire.

It may take some time for firefighters to tackle the fire – you won’t be able to go back into the building until the fire has been extinguished and it is safe. You should not try and re-enter the building until told it is safe to do so by a firefighter.

You may be directed to another building where you can wait until it is safe to return to the building.

What to do if you cannot leave your flat or the building

If you hear the fire alarm and you cannot leave your flat move to a room where you think you will be safe and call 999. Keep the door to the room closed and use towels or bedding at the bottom of the door to stop any smoke getting in.

In high rise blocks of flats the law requires a Secure Information Box to be installed at the building with information that GMFRS can use if there is a fire. The Secure Information Box can be used to record details of the location of residents who cannot evacuate the building without help. This information can only be included in the Secure Information Box with your consent. Firefighters will use this information to identify flats where they need to provide evacuation assistance to people, or to perform rescues.

When you phone 999 you should tell the control operator that you cannot leave your flat and the reason why – this information will be passed to firefighters at the building.

What to do when phoning 999

If you have a fire in your flat or become aware of a fire somewhere else in the building, you should always call 999 and ask for ‘Fire’.

When you dial 999, the first person you speak to is an operator who will ask you which service you need. When you ask for ‘Fire’ you are immediately transferred to our control centre with specially trained staff who will ask you for information and send firefighters to help.

Listen carefully to the control operator - the first thing they will ask you for is the address. Give them the building name, address and postcode and then the flat number and floor of your flat.

Once you have provided the address and told us there is a fire, fire engines will be sent to the building. You will be asked more questions so that firefighters can be passed the information they need when they arrive. Try and stay calm and answer any questions as clearly as you can and stay on the line until the control operator ends the call.

If you are unable to use voice telephony, there are other options available - visit emergencysms.org.uk (external link) and register for the option which is best for you.

If you have a fire or there is smoke in your flat you should:

• Alert anyone else in your flat.
• Close the door to the room where the fire is.
• Get out of your flat – make sure the flat door closes behind you.
• Call 999 and ask for ‘Fire’.
• Leave the building using the stairs if you can.

If you have a fire or there is smoke in your flat you should not:

• Try and fight the fire - you could be injured.
• Stop to collect belongings.
• Go back into your flat.
• Use the lifts – firefighters may need to take control of them.
• Re-enter the building until told it is safe.

The video below explains what you should do in the event of a fire in a block of flats operating an evacuation policy.