How We Keep You Safe
Many pages in the Health and Safety section of our website focus on what you can do to ensure your safety at home, however, there are several ways in which our teams work hard to keep you, your loved ones, and your home safe.
Damp, Mould, and Condensation
We are committed to tackling damp, mould, and condensation to give residents a decent environment to live in and enjoy their home. Following a report of damp and mould, we will raise an inspection request to check for any defects found internally and externally. We will then treat the areas of mould growth and arrange for any necessary repairs whist checking that key components (extractors, trickle vents etc) are working properly.
Find out more about our approach to damp, mould, and condensation here: Damp, Mould, and Condensation | South Essex Homes
Fire Safety Systems
All of our flats have a 30 minute ‘Gerda’ fire, heat & smoke protection door and all the communal areas have 60 minute ‘Gerda’ fire, heat & smoke protection doors. All the flat windows have restrictors fitted to prevent flame, heat & smoke travel externally to other flats.
The communal areas have Automatic Ventilation Openers fitted which will automatically open the lobby & stairwell windows to release any smoke. There is a comprehensive dry riser system within our tower blocks to supply water to any floor within the building for use by the Fire Service. The ground floor bin chute rooms are protected by an automatic water suppression system (sprinkler).
Fire Risk Assessments
A fire risk assessment (FRA) is a review of a building to assess its fire risks. Controlling fire risks is an important part of managing a building. To be able to protect against the risks of fire, it is important to identify these risks with a fire risk assessment.
In England and Wales, all blocks of flats and large houses with multiple occupants are required to have an FRA according to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 & The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
The assessment will usually offer recommendations about how to make the building safer and protect the people in or near it from fire.An FRA is effectively a guide book for fire safety measures in your building.
Find out more and view your block’s FRA here: Fire Risk Assessments | South Essex Homes
Gas Safety Checks
Gas appliances and heating systems can be potential sources of danger if not properly maintained. These inspections are designed to identify any faults, leaks, or potential hazards and rectify them promptly. The contractors will check your gas cooker if necessary and will usually check the flames. If there is deemed to be a defect they will condemn it and disconnect it from the gas, keeping you and your family safe.
Gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning are serious threats, and these inspections help identify any issues before they escalate. The contractors will also check your fire alarm and will often replace this on the day of service if it is faulty or out of date.
Electrical Checks
Electrical checks of South Essex Homes properties are carried out by our electrically competent contractor Aaron Services every 5 years, and when our properties become vacant. A regular electrical inspection will reveal if any electrical circuits are overloaded, find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards, identify any defective electrical work, and highlight any lack of earthing.
Aaron Services will then issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report detailing any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions, and anything that might give rise to danger. If anything dangerous or potentially dangerous is found, remedial action will be organised to rectify the hazard.