Fire safety general FAQs

We have carried out our own checks and confirmed with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) that the council has not used any of the Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding panels of the type used at Grenfell Towers on our buildings.

The product that we use as part of our External Wall Insulation (EWI) system in 11 tower blocks is called Rockwool and is non-combustible:

• Dumbleton Towers
• Meredith Towers
• Hightown Towers
• Albion Towers
• Shirley Towers
• Sturminster House
• Havre Towers
• Hampton Towers
• Rotterdam Towers
• Oslo Towers
• Copenhagen Towers

This is considered to be a safe, standard, robust system that is fully certified. This is directly fixed to the structure of the building and before a fire resistant render is applied to the surface.

The council has received assurance from the manufacturer and installer of the EWI system that it is safe and non-combustible. Full fire risk assessments were carried out prior to installation. EWI is not cladding.

External wall insulation (EWI) is a system consisting of high-performance insulation. This is fitted directly to the external walls of our tower blocks. It not only insulates, but protects the exterior with an attractive, smooth rendered finish in a colour selected by residents. EWI improves the thermal efficiency of the buildings, by wrapping them in insulation. It reduces the heat loss and saves energy to heat homes.

The product that we use in 11 tower blocks is called Rockwool and is non-combustible.

• Dumbleton Towers
• Meredith Towers
• Hightown Towers
• Albion Towers
• Shirley Towers
• Sturminster House
• Havre Towers
• Hampton Towers
• Rotterdam Towers
• Oslo Towers
• Copenhagen Towers

EWI is not cladding.

The council reviewed the render-based system used on our tower blocks during the week of 19 June for the government review. None were found to have cladding of the same, or similar, type to that used at Grenfell Towers. There was, therefore, no need to carry out further tests. The government has only requested testing of samples from councils who were found to have cladding of the same or similar type to that used at Grenfell Towers. The external wall insulation system on our high rise tower blocks is categorised as non-combustible.

External Wall Insulation (EWI) has been installed in eight tower blocks in Thornhill and Weston as part of the council's ECO Project works. Work to install EWI has recently been completed at Shirley Towers and Sturminster House. While work at Albion Towers is expected to be completed soon.

Following the tragic incident at Grenfell Towers, we shared a letter about fire safety. This was sent to tenants and leaseholders in our tower blocks.

At that time, our block reps and Tenant Participation team also organised a series of local information sessions for residents. In these we answered questions from some of you. We encourage tenants to continue to share their questions about fire safety in council housing. You can contact us on firesafety.works@southampton.gov.uk.

All of our tower blocks have up-to-date fire risk assessments (FRAs). We have reviewed these and have undertaken a series of inspections with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire Rescue Service. This was to ensure our safety measures and procedures are appropriate.

The ‘Stay Put’ policy remains the best one in case of a fire in your building.

The council has profiled its premises into four categories: A-D. Category A premises are high profile such as unfamiliar sleeping accommodation, high-rise and complex buildings.

Our independent fire safety assessor is Tersus Consultancy Ltd. They undertake a full fire risk assessment of our high-rise blocks annually.

The following fire safety checks are carried out in all of our tower blocks:

• Fire door inspections are undertaken in line with the fire safety legislation
• Dry risers are tested every six months
• Smoke extraction systems
• Fire alarms are tested and serviced every six months
• Emergency lighting is checked monthly
• Wardens also carry out additional regular checks of various fire safety control measures. For example they check emergency lighting, fire doors and escape routes (in corridors and stairwells). These checks are recorded

Fire safety information is regularly included in Tenants' Link, the online tenants’ publication. Sign up for Tenants' Link.

We work closely with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. This includes involvement in major projects like planned sprinkler installation.

In the event of a fire, lifts should not be used. If your lift is not working, please report it immediately on 023 8083 3006 or on our report a repair page.

The ‘Stay Put’ policy remains the best one in case of a fire in your building.

Our regular fire risk assessments (FRAs) should identify where additional signage is required. The FRA looks to assess the risks associated with the building in the event of a fire and identify suitable measures to address these. Measures introduced are therefore specific to the block and situation present. They are not a generic solution to be applied across all housing stock.

Emergency fire exits cannot be opened from the outside and have a simple push bar to open on the inside. In the event of a fire, the automatic entrance door is overridden and these doors are open.

The following tower blocks have one evacuation stairwell:

• Canberra Towers
• Millbrook Towers
• Redbridge Towers
• Albion Towers
• Shirley Towers
• Sturminster House
• Castle House
• St James House
• Canute House
• Holyrood House

These blocks only have one stairwell as that was the original design which met the requirements at the time of construction.

The ‘Stay Put’ policy is the best one in the event of fire in your building.

The design of the blocks is such that flats are designed to stop fire spreading.

The fire service need to gain access to the building as quickly as they can to extinguish any fire. A fire alarm would mean that everyone would evacuate simultaneously. This could potentially impeding the fire service access as well as create a hazard for those exiting the building.

We have the 'Stay Put' policy as this is the safest for residents.

No. The structure of our tower block flats is designed to afford a high level of protection in the event of a fire. It will contain the fire in the flat where it started, long enough for the fire brigade to attend and act. However, the windows are not designed to contain fire.

The External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems present on our tower blocks are non-combustible mineral-based materials with a concrete render. They have a high level of fire protection to minimise the spread of fire.

Twelve of our tower blocks have gas supply. The safe installation and maintenance of gas supply in any building is something that we and the gas distribution networks treat with the utmost of seriousness. We ensure that they are compliant with all relevant technical and safety regulations to maintain public safety.

The safety performance of gas supply companies is closely monitored by the energy regulator OFGEM and the Health and Safety Executive. We also carry out our own annual checks.

In our buildings the following are owned by the Gas Distribution Network (GDN):

• Network gas risers, external and internal
• Associated lateral pipework

They are installed by GDN. GDN also inspect and maintain these at regular intervals. Installation and maintenance is in accordance with industry legislation and standards. They are also in line with internal company management procedures.

Every flat should have a Fire Action Notice on the back of the front door. This will explain what to do if a fire occurs. It is in your interest to allow us to fit these when we call.

You can also help protect your home against fires by reviewing Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service’s advice about home fire safety such as:

• Regularly checking your flat’s smoke alarm
• Keeping corridors free
• Calling 999 quickly if a fire occurs
• Familiarising yourself with the 'Stay Put' policy in the event of a fire
• Keeping fire doors closed

You can also take extra care when cooking to ensure that pans are not left unattended. Double-check that you have turned the heat off and taken the pan off the heat when you have finished cooking.

If you feel you have a vulnerability you can request a Safe and Well visit on the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service website.

This is dependent on the type of building you are living in. A large proportion of our purpose building blocks of flats have a 'Stay Put' policy. 

Other building types may have a simultaneous evacuation system such as schools and support facilities. This is where the alarm sounds and everyone makes their way out of the building to a dedicated assembly point at a safe distance away from the building.

Please ensure you read and understand your specific fire instructions for the building. You can request the instructions from firesafety.works@southampton.gov.uk.

Get out of your home. Try to stay calm and get everyone out. If you can, close the doors to rooms to prevent smoke and fire from spreading. If you live in a block close your front door to prevent smoke and fire from spreading into the corridor and stairwell.

Call 999. The emergency services will send the fire service to deal with the fire. Do not return to your home until the fire brigade tell you it is safe to do so.

If there is a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where there is less smoke and the air will be cleaner.

In the event of a fire, lifts should not be used. Use the stairs. If you live in a block, make your way out using the emergency exit staircase. During fires, lifts are dangerous because you may become trapped inside.

Oil and chip pans are common causes of household fires. Follow these simple rules to cook safely:

• Never leave the pan alone with the heat on – not even for a few seconds
• Never fill it more than a third full with oil or fat
• Never be tempted to cook with an oil or chip pan after consuming alcohol
• If the oil starts to smoke, it is too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool
• If a pan catches fire, do not attempt to move it and turn off the heat only if it is safe to do so
• Never use water or a fire extinguisher to put out an oil pan fire. Water reacts with the oil and will cause a fireball