Fire Safety Update

We are contacting you to share important information regarding upcoming internal works scheduled for Eastwick Row in the coming weeks. As part of these works, we will be replacing flat entrance doors, lobby doors, and implementing fire-stopping measures to enhance the safety features of our residents.

To prioritise the safety of all residents during this period, we have made the decision to temporarily modify the evacuation policy. Effective immediately, the evacuation policy for both blocks in Eastwick Row (40-63 and 64-87) will shift from a 'Stay Put' policy to a simultaneous evacuation procedure. In the event of an alarm, residents are required to promptly evacuate the building and gather at the Fire Assembly point, which will be located in the rear car park.

We understand the importance of your safety, and we will provide timely notifications before commencing the works. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this period of improvement and enhancement to the buildings.

Fire Safety Measures:

Both of the buildings in Eastwick Row are equipped with built-in fire safety features to ensure your safety. In the unfortunate event of a fire, here are some key actions to take:

If you discover a fire in your flat:

• Immediately alert everyone in your flat and leave the building. Do not stop to collect personal possessions. Close your flat door behind you.
• Don’t delay getting out – it should not be necessary to alert residents of other flats.
• As soon as you are safely outside the building, call 999 (or 112 from a mobile) and alert the Fire Service.
• When the fire service arrives, tell them that your flat is clear.
• Call the Freephone Repairs line: 0800 018 6050 (option 2) and tell them that there is a fire in your building and that your home is affected. This line is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year including Christmas day.
• Do not attempt to re-enter the building until a member of the Fire Service or DBC Staff tells you that it is safe to do so.

How we make you safer:

At Eastwick Row:

• We carry out an annual Fire Risk Assessment and prioritise any actions identified.
• We inspect all communal doors four times every year.
• We will introduce annual inspections of all flat entrance doors and you will be contacted to provide access.
• We have a regular programme of routine checks of all fire safety systems.
• We check and maintain emergency lighting and lightning protection.
• We regularly visit the communal areas of your block to check they are clear of obstructions or slip and trip hazards, and make sure they are safe. Please read our Safety In Communal Areas Policy for more details.

For Council tenants:

• We arrange gas safety checks every year to protect you and your neighbours’ homes.
• We test smoke and CO alarms as part of the annual gas safety check.
• We carry out electrical safety tests every five years.

Leaseholders – Gas Safety Checks:

We strongly recommend that all leaseholders should get annual gas safety checks and boiler servicing. This helps keep your own and your neighbours’ households safe.

Did you know that the company Sun Realm (our Gas Safety contractors), offer very affordable gas safety checks and boiler servicing for DBC leaseholders?

Click here to find out more, or ring them directly on 01442 798 888 and be sure to tell them that you are a Dacorum Borough Council leaseholder.