Fire safety summary
Charles Darwin Road
Charles Darwin Road (flats 4-42)
Plymouth
Devon
PL1 4GU
(Unique Property Reference Number – 67706)
Property Manager contact details
- Customer services: 0300 5000 926
- contact@sovereign.org.uk
Significant findings from Fire Risk Assessment
- There was a large amount of items being stored in the communal balconies.
How we are managing fire risk in the buildings
- Residents have been written to, and where appropriate served a TORT notice to remove. Although the balconies are external, it is still important to keep them clear to ensure a means of escape, and to remove any ignition or fuel sources.
Evacuation policy
Full evacuation
When the alarm sounds, get everyone in your flat out of the building using emergency fire exit routes and stairs.
Hampshire Fire And Rescue Service has also produced a useful leaflet about High Rise Living [adobe pdf / 2 MB].
Means of escape
The best escape route is usually the normal way in and out of your home. There is one route out of the block:
- the stairwell that leads to the ground floor
Do not use the lift.
Local fire authority
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Building construction and cladding
Block with render and steel frame walkways.
Routine inspections
The items below are inspected or serviced to maintain the fire safety of your building.
Area | Description | Frequency of inspection |
| Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) | An FRA is an inspection of the common areas of the building to check that fire safety arrangements meet legal fire safety requirements. It also identifies what else we can do to prevent fire and keep residents safe. | Annually |
| Lift | One passenger lift. | Serviced every month. Thorough inspection (LOLER) every six months |
| Communal electrics | Communal electrical installations such as wiring, sockets and lights are inspected and tested regularly. | Every five years |
| Communal gas boiler | Does not apply – gas boilers in each home are serviced annually. | Does not apply |
| Dry riser | Used by firefighters to deliver water to all levels of the building. | Six monthly and annual servicing |
| Fire detection system | Such as fire alarms and smoke detectors. | Weekly testing and servicing every three months |
| Emergency lighting | Emergency lighting (or escape lighting) lights up a safe exit route if the mains power fails. | Programme of monthly and annual tests |
| Automatic Open Vent (AOV) | Smoke control ventilation system. | Monthly tests |
| Other comments | None. |