There is nothing more important than the safety of you and your family.
It’s important to familiarise yourself with the exit routes for your home, what the fire policy is whether to ‘Stay Put’ or ‘Evacuate’ and how to call the Fire Service in the event of a fire.
In January 2023, we sent all customers a fire safety leaflet which details what the evacuation policy is for your home, how to contact the fire service and some useful tips and advice around checking your smoke alarms. If you are a new customer, you will be provided with a fire safety leaflet upon signing your tenancy agreement with us.
All leaflets have been produced with the involvement of the Karbon Customer Scrutiny Group and the Fire Service. If you would like a copy of the fire safety leaflet specific to your home/building, please email us.
If your home has a fire door fitted, please click this link to find out more about the importance of these doors and how they can save your life.
We are required to carry out regular fire safety checks in your home and communal areas, making sure that Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) are up to date, there are appropriate smoke detectors and fire alarms, fire doors and other fire safety measures. Working alongside the Fire Service, we also regularly review any fire risks and the procedures for preventing and reporting fires.
If you are a homeowner and leaseholder, you are responsible for gas, oil and solid fuel appliance and electrical tests within your own home but, we’re responsible for communal installations.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
If you are unable to evacuate your home in the event of a fire – due to either a permanent or temporary disability, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can carry out a ‘Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan’ (PEEP) with you.
If you live in a block of flats and are unable to escape via the stairs, please let us know by contacting us on 0800 533 5442. Information about any customers with mobility problems is held in the fireproof box on the ground floor. Therefore, the Fire Service have these detailed Fire Emergency Evacuation Plans immediately as they arrive, so should evacuation be necessary they will provide you with assistance.
Building Safety & Customer Scrutiny Group
We are working with a group of customers, committed to reviewing our customer needs and communication and engagement in building safety. The Customer Scrutiny Group has completed a review of Karbon and Byker properties including high rise buildings (18 metres or 7 storeys), all multi-story flats, sheltered and timber frame extra care schemes.
Internally, we have an established team called, ‘The Future of Building & Customer Safety Working Group’ which is made up of colleagues from various areas within Karbon and Byker. Their role is to ensure we are following regulations and will consider any recommendations that have been put forward by the scrutiny group.
Taller buildings
Managing the fire safety for our taller buildings is a key focus for Karbon. We own or manage eight buildings which are over 18 metres or 7 storeys. We’ve carried out detailed surveys in all of our buildings that we own and none have High Pressurised Laminate (HPL) or Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding.
Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs)
To request a copy of the Fire Risk Assessment for your building, please email us. We’ll need to know your address to send the correct document to you.
Want to know more?
If you have any queries relating to safety in your home, please contact BCT on Freephone 0800 533 5442 or pop into the office at 17 Raby Cross, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2FF