Fire safety
Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility and we all need to do our bit to keep each other safe.
Guide to Fire SafetyFire and Structural Safety Reporting
At Bernicia, your safety is always our top priority. We want everyone living in or visiting our buildings to feel safe and protected at all times.
If you notice anything that could affect fire safety or the structural safety of a building, please let us know as soon as possible.
It is important everyone understands the fire safety procedures, especially in blocks of flats where it is very important to always keep corridors and walkways free of obstructions.
How to Report a Fire or Structural Safety Issue
Call us
The quickest way to report an urgent fire or structural safety concern is to contact our Customer Service Centre: 0344 800 3800
Report online
If the issue is not an emergency, you can also complete our online form.
What you can report
You can use this form to report issues such as:
- Spread of fire concerns
- Structural safety issues (e.g., walls, foundations)
- Blocked fire exits or locked escape routes
- Broken fire doors or missing fire seals
- Faulty smoke detectors or damaged fire alarms
- Dangerous cladding or visible structural cracks
- Unsafe electrical work or exposed wiring in shared areas
Report a building or fire safety issue
It is also important to make sure that electrical equipment is used properly. As well as the General Fire Safety Advice Guide, please also read our guidance booklets for using electric heaters.
Solid fuel appliances should be professionally installed and used safely by following some simple guidelines. You must:
- Ensure they have proper ventilation.
- Have regular safety inspections, cleaning and sweeping the chimney.
- Use the correct fuel as recommended by the manufacturer and labelled “Ready to Burn”
More info can be found in the Solid Fuel Appliances Safety Guide
Smoke and heat alarms are early warning devices. Used correctly they can give you and your family valuable extra time to escape a fire.
Carbon monoxide alarms detect the poisonous gas and provide an early warning.
More info can be found in the Smoke, fire and carbon monoxide alarms guide
