The communal parts of a block of flats will be required to provide a safe environment for residents, visitors, contractors on-site and any employees such as a porter or caretaker.

Providing and maintaining a safe means of escape in the event of fire is paramount, as is controlling general hazards which may arise in a residential environment.

Common mishaps in residential environments include:

• obstructed fire routes

• rapid fire spread

• slips, trips and falls

• electrical hazards

The law requires that any management committee or managing agents in control of the common areas of a block of flats, must hold valid and up-to-date health & safety documentation.

For communal residential environments, the required documents are:

• fire risk assessment

• general risk assessment

• health & safety annual audit

© Clearworld Health & Safety Ltd 2011