On this page you'll find everything you need to know about the safety of your building.
Got a question or idea to improve the safety of your block? Reach out to your Building Safety team by:
- emailing fire@thrivehomes.org.uk
- visit thrivehomes.org.uk/safetyteam
As always, we're on hand 24/7 for any emergencies and you can reach us on 0800 917 6077.
Watford Fire Station (1.51 miles away)
223-229 Lower High Street
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD19 2AG
Want to get in touch?
Telephone the station on 01923 255235.
Request a Home Visit from the Fire Service. During this they can check that existing smoke detectors are in good working order.
The latest fire risk assessment (FRA) was completed on: 24th February,2025. This is reviewed yearly, or after a significant event.
Significant findings from the last fire risk assessment:
- Combustible items must be removed from communal areas and from first floor electrical riser cupboard.
- Some communal doors are being reviewed.
When will these works be completed?
- All actions in progress.
The construction of the building is a traditional brick and concrete build with a pitched tiled roof. It is a purpose built ground and first floor block of 4 flats. The façade meets the requirements to limit the spread of fire.
Other construction components include:
- Bare brick finish with block cavity.
- uPVC window frames to flats.
- Galvanised panelling.
Your home is kitted out with safety equipment to keep you and your loved ones safe. This includes:
Fire doors
Your front door is a fire door, protecting you and the rest of your building from fire spreading from one area to another. Fire doors can only do their job when kept shut.
We will be in touch to arrange a convenient time to inspect your door.
Top tips to look after your fire door:
- the parts of your door such as the letterbox, peephole, and door closer (self-closing device) are designed to be compatible with your fire door so it can do its job in protecting you - please don't remove or tamper with these!
- Whilst doorbells (including Ring Doorbells) and Christmas wreaths may be pretty and practical, they damage your fire door and stop it from doing its job. Please don't drill into your fire door!
If your door is damaged or not working as it should, please report it to us immediately on 0800 917 6077.
Watch this video to learn how to check your fire door is in good working order
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms:
These are hard-wired in your flat with backup battery power supply. Please test your alarm weekly - we know it isn't easy pushing the button on the alarm on a ceiling, so we have installed wireless radio link controllers in each flat. This is stored by your front door, but if all else fails you can still test the alarm the traditional way as per the video below.
If you discover any issues, please call us on 0800 917 6077 immediately.
In addition to your flat, your building is kitted out with safety equipment to keep you and your neighbours safe. This includes:
Fire doors
All doors in the communal area are fire doors. These can only do their job when they are kept shut.
They act as a barrier to help contain the fire to one area and prevent it from spreading.
We carry out inspections of all communal fire doors every six months.
Please do not wedge or prop open a fire door as this means smoke and fire can more easily spread!
If you ever notice an issue with a door such as it not closing properly, please contact us immediately on 0800 917 6077.
Automatic opening vents (AOVs)
These vents remove smoke from the communal corridors if an evacuation is required.
These are installed throughout every corridor and we test them every month.
Emergency lighting
This is installed to help support evacuation in the event of an emergency where all other power goes off.
If you notice any damage to these items or to the building in general, please let us know as soon as possible!
There is no assembly point for your building. This is because we ask you to stay put inside of your flat unless it is affected by smoke or fire.
Other important things you need to know
If the fire isn't in your own flat and your flat is not affected by smoke from a fire elsewhere in the building
- stay safe inside your home unless is affected by fire or smoke
- call the emergency services by dialling 999.
Your flat entrance door is fire rated to protect you for enough time for the fire services to address the fire or rescue you.
If a fire breaks out in your flat
- Get everyone out
- Close the door behind you and leave the building - do not take the lift, always use the stairs
- When you are safe, call 999.
You must stay at a safe distance away from the fire until a fire officer tells you it is safe to go back inside. The fire & rescue service can obtain a list of people who may have difficulties leaving the building in an emergency. If you are unsure if you have notified Thrive of any difficulties, please alert the emergency services so they can best assist you.
Don’t wait until it’s too late, plan your escape route today and advise us if you think you might struggle with any evacuation or safety measures.
Please tell us if there is a change to your circumstances, such as a disability or mobility issue, that could prevent you evacuating in the event of an emergency.
We can use this information to notify the local fire service of your circumstances which will allow them to put in place a fast and appropriate evacuation plan to get you to safety. The easiest way to let us know is by emailing fire@thrivehomes.org.uk or 0800 917 6077.
Every month, a member of our team will visit your building to make sure everything is safe and well.
You’ll also see our trusted engineers pop by to carry out a number of safety checks when they are due. This may include:
- gas
- electric
- asbestos
- lighting testing
- alarm testing
- water testing
- lift inspections
- fire door inspections.
Copies of these certificates or records are available for you to request.
If you are a tenant, we will carry out gas, electrical and fire door inspections in your home too. We will contact you when these are due.
If you own your Thrive home, please share your recent safety check certificates with us. This information helps us understand how safe your overall building is.
Ways you can help keep your building safe and service charges down
- Please keep communal areas clear of items, including pushchairs and bicycles.
- Let us know if you won’t be in for any safety check appointments.
- Report any issues you spot to us, including overflowing bins or missed collections.
You can trust us
Your safety comes first, so we make sure our colleagues and contractors are qualified and carry out works to our required standards.
For more information about our approach to keeping you safe in your home, head to: thrivehomes.org.uk/safety-approach
Have your say
Whether it's good or bad news or maybe you have an idea to improve the safety of your building, we always want to hear from you so we can use your input to help shape our services.
There are lots of ways to interact with us, and you can find out more in our approach to keeping you and your building safe at thrivehomes.org.uk/safety-approach