We at AST London believe that living in or being responsible for taking care of a communal block means that it is crucial that it is kept safe for everyone who lives there.

10 Ways to Maintain Communal Block Safety

Due to the nature of communal blocks, safety is a concern and there are specific rules that should be followed to ensure everyone can live happily and healthily. Keep reading the blog to find out what they are.

Communal Block Safety Maintenance Tip #1: Use a Security Company

A communal block can certainly benefit from a professional security company to help keep everyone safe and secure. Communal block safety is a major priority for housing associations and landlords and keeping tenants happy and safe will be good for everyone. By installing secure entrances and gates, you are adding an additional layer of safety that will help everyone who lives there.

Communal Block Safety Maintenance Tip #2: Keep Hallways Clear

Sometimes the hallways in communal blocks can become cluttered. If the items are causing a potential hazard by obstructing the hallways, then they should be cleared. Ideally, hallways should be used for people to walk through and nothing more, but if items do need to be stored there, then they should be kept in designated areas.

Communal Block Safety Maintenance Tip #3: Lighting

Lighting is an essential part of keeping your communal block safe. This means both external and internal lighting will make darker areas much more appealing and safer too.

Now Read UNDERSTANDING YOUR ENTRY SYSTEM OPTIONS

Communal Block Safety Maintenance Tip #4: Regular Maintenance

As well as ensuring there are safety measures in place in the communal areas and outside your block, you will also need to have a programme of regular maintenance scheduled. This will ensure that everything stays in good repair.

Communal Block Safety Maintenance Tip #5: Emergency Maintenance

Emergency maintenance is crucial to keeping your communal block safe and secure. If a lightbulb blows or a gate is damaged, for example, having someone on site as quickly as possible is vital. If you use a third party for this work, make sure they have an emergency system in place as well as a regularly scheduled programme of works.

Communal Block Safety Maintenance Tip #6: Tenants’ Responsibility

Although some of the work needed to keep communal blocks safe will be down to the landlord or housing association, it should also be down to the individual tenants to keep their own areas safe. Make sure all tenants understand what their responsibility is so they can keep up with it.

Communal Block Safety Maintenance Tip #7: A Cleaning Service

Whether or not you want to employ a regular cleaning service is down to you and will depend on cost and other factors. However, when it comes to the safety of your tenants, especially as we’ve recently seen how quickly viruses can spread on surfaces, a regular cleaning programme can be useful.

Now Read THE IMPORTANCE & BENEFITS OF REGULAR SECURITY SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE

Communal Block Safety Maintenance Tip #8: Functioning Smoke Alarms

In recent years, we’ve learned all too painfully just what damage fire can do to a communal block. So, it’s crucial that there are functioning smoke alarms in the flats and communal areas. These must be tested regularly (which can be part of the maintenance schedule).

Communal Block Safety Maintenance Tip #9: Signage

Signs may not be something you immediately think of when assessing the safety of the communal block you are responsible for, but they can make a big difference. Letting people know where their nearest fire exits are, for example, and exactly where each block is situated, can help people feel safer.

Communal Block Safety Maintenance Tip #10: Risk Assessment

To really see where the danger points of any communal block are, it is wise to carry out a risk assessment. Think of the area objectively and determine how safe and secure each aspect is. Then you can work towards making any adjustments that are needed.

AST London are Experts in Communal Block Safety & Security

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Now Read 5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUESTS & ASSETS SAFE & SECURE DURING SPECIAL EVENTS