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Help and advice

Safety in your home

All residents have the right to live in a safe home

Follow our advice and tips on fire safety, building safety, gas safety, legionella and pests.

Fire and smoke can spread very quickly. Both can kill. You, your family and visitors are responsible for preventing the outbreak of fire.

Here you can find important information that advises what you can do to prevent fires and what to do if one should break out in your home.

It is important that everyone knows how to avoid fires starting and what to do if one does start. 

How to contact the Building Safety Team  

  • Email us bsc@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk
  • Call us on 0808 230 6500
  • Send us a message on social media
  • In person at our Head Office
  • Write to us at Plymouth Community Homes, Plumer House, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, Plymouth, PL6 5DH

Tall buildings

Our responsibility

The Building Safety Act provides a framework for ensuring the safety of residents living in High Rise Blocks – these are buildings 18 meters or seven or more floors in height containing at least two residential units.

If you are a resident in one of these buildings and would like to find out more about how the new law affects you, or about any of the following pieces of information, please contact the building safety team.

  • Individual Building Safety Case Report
  • Individual Building Fire Risk Assessment
  • Individual Building Resident Engagement Strategy

 

Your responsibility

There are a few simple things you can do to keep you, your family and your neighbours safe:

  • Make sure you know what you need to do in an emergency and where to find information about fire safety.
  • Don’t remove or interfere with safety items. These include items such as fire doors, signs, sprinklers or fire extinguishers.
  • Report any issues you find to the building safety team.
  • Sometimes we may need to access your property to assess and manage any building safety risks. For your safety, you should allow access if your building manager requests it.

 

Tall Buildings Resident Engagement Strategy

Read our Tall Buildings Residents Engagement Strategy. You can find an appendix with details specific to each building below.

Safety in your building

If you think you can smell gas, suspect you may be suffering from the effects of carbon monoxide or if your carbon monoxide alarm is activated you need to call 0800 111 999 immediately.

This is available 24 hours a day, every day and is free to use.

It doesn't matter what time of day or night you ring - trained operators work round-the-clock waiting to take your call and give you advice on what to do. 

If you think you can smell gas:

  • Do not smoke or light matches
  • Do not turn electrical switches on or off
  • Open doors and windows
  • Turn off the meter at the control handle unless the meter is in the cellar
  • Call 0800 111 999

You'll be asked: 

  • The address/location of the suspected gas escape or gas emergency 
  • How many people are at the property where the smell is most noticeable 
  • How long the smell has been noticeable 
  • If the smell is coming from the cellar/basement 
  • Are any neighbours affected 
  • Your name and phone number 
  • Any special circumstances or access information 

All calls to the Gas Emergency Service may be recorded and monitored.

 

If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds or you suspect a leak:

  • Stop using all appliances, switch them off, and open doors and windows to ventilate the property
  • Evacuate the property immediately - stay calm and avoid raising your heart rate  
  • Call the Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 to report the incident.
  • Don't go back into the property - wait for advice from the emergency services
  • Seek immediate medical help - you may not realise you've been affected by the carbon monoxide and going outside into fresh air won't treat any exposure by itself

Get in touch

For more information, email us or call us on 0808 230 6500.

Pests can damage your home and be a nuisance. You can report a pest problem to us and we'll be able to advise who is responsible for the pest control issue.

Contact us

Fill out an enquiry form or call us on 0808 230 6500.

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