The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has released fire safety guidance that’s aimed at homeowners and landlords in the UK.
It has been compiled by RICS chartered building surveyors and an advisory panel made up of people from various disciplines who work in the areas of fire safety design and regulations. The organisation decided to produce the guidance because there are still a significant number of deaths and injuries caused by fires in residential properties in the UK.
The guidance offers advice about making sure you have appropriate escape routes from your home, and covers what to do if you live in a building with a ‘stay put’ policy.
It also explains the different equipment available for tackling fires, including fire blankets and extinguishers, and runs through when it’s appropriate to use each one.
For anyone who has an open fire in their home, there are simple precautions you can take each year to prevent any accidents. With the weather getting colder, now is the ideal time to contact a chimney sweep in Pangbourne to have your chimney swept and inspected for any signs of damage.
The RICS guide also provides specific advice on fire safety for those living in owner-occupied properties and those in rental accommodation to make it clear what responsibilities landlords and tenants have, as opposed to homeowners.
With autumn here, many fire services around the country have been issuing advice about chimney fire safety. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service recently told Yorkshire Coast Radio that, as well as regularly having your chimney cleaned, it’s important you use the right kind of fuel in your fireplace to prevent the buildup of soot and creosote.
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