Fire safety

Move it or lose it

To help keep communal areas clear bpha has a ‘Move It or Lose It’ policy. Any belongings such as bicycles or pushchairs that are left in communal areas in our properties will be removed and a legal notice will be issued.

You have 28 days to reclaim the item and you’ll need to pay a return fee of £30. After 28 days the item will be disposed of.

Please don’t risk losing your belongings forever and ensure that communal areas are kept clear.

If you want to report an item left in a communal area please get in touch with the team here.

Fire doors are a key component in keeping your building safe from fire. Your flat entrance door is particularly important.

To keep yourself safe you can carry out a few simple checks:

• Does the door have a self-closing device? Is it working correctly and closing your door fully when the door is released?
• Is the surface of the door damaged? Is the outer surface is damaged to the extent that you can see the material below the surface
• There should be a rubber, or brush strip, similar to a draft strip, around the door or in the frame to prevent smoke passing around the door
• Is there a brown or white strip (This will have a plastic appearance), approximately 10mm wide, set into the door or frame. This prevents fire from spreading around the door
• Is the letter box (where fitted) intact, with a cover flap on the outside
• Are items such as the lock, handle, security viewer, door knocker etc intact, working correctly and securely fixed.

If you have any concerns or questions about the condition of your front door please get in touch with the team here.

The detectors in your home are vital for giving you an early warning of a fire in your home.

You should test them every month, by using the button on the detector(s), or the test switch fitted to the wall. One press should test all the detectors in your home.

When the clocks go forward in spring check to make sure your detectors are clean and unobstructed. You can use your hoover to gently clean the detector; however do not directly touch the detector, keep the nozzle 50 to 75mm (2-3 inches) away from the device, to prevent damage.

If you have any concerns or questions about your detectors operating correctly please get in touch with the team here.

It is important to know that only electric scooters classified as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs) are exempt from registration under UK law. EAPCs must have pedals, a maximum power output of 250 watts, and a top speed of 15.5mph. If your electric scooter falls under this category, you do not need to worry about the registration process.

However, if your electric scooter does not meet the EAPC requirements, it is considered a motor vehicle and must be registered to use on public roads. Here's how to register your electric scooter in the UK and you will need to: Obtain a Certificate of Compliance.  This will prove that your electric scooter meets UK road regulations, such as lighting, brakes, and emissions. Contact the manufacturer, importer, or a Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) for this certificate.

To help prevent fire you should:

• Never charge your Bike/Scooter/Mobility device in the communal areas of your block
• If you charge your vehicle inside your home only do it during your waking hours. Making sure you have working smoke/heat detectors.

If you have any doubts about the working condition of your vehicle, do not charge it and seek professional advice.

Get involved

If you would like to find out more or have your say on building safety, please get in touch with the team by emailing CustomerVoice@bpha.org.uk