Fire safety advice for landlords in Twickenham

A fire risk assessment looks at how a fire could start in a building, who might be in danger, and what needs doing to keep them safe. If you have noticed something worrying in your home, like a blocked corridor or missing signage, this is where the answers start.

The guide on [fire risk assessments in Twickenham](/fire-safety/fire-risk-assessment-twickenham) sets out what a specialist firm checks during a visit. It covers the cost and what the report includes so you know what to expect before anything happens.

For landlords renting to multiple tenants, the rules are stricter. The [HMO fire risk assessment guide](/fire-safety/hmo-fire-risk-assessment-twickenham) explains what a landlord must do to meet licensing conditions. Student housing has its own requirements, covered in the [student accommodation fire safety guide](/fire-safety/student-accommodation-fire-safety-twickenham).

Fire doors stop smoke and flames moving between rooms or floors. They only work if they close fully and have the right seals. A door that sticks, drags on the carpet or has gaps around the frame will not hold back a fire.

The [fire door inspection guide for Twickenham](/fire-safety/fire-door-inspection-twickenham) explains what a specialist firm looks for in flats and HMOs. It covers the hinges, closers and intumescent strips that make a door function properly. You can also read about [what gets checked on a fire door](/responsible-person/fire-door-checks) to understand the basic signs of wear.

Compartmentation is the wider system of walls, floors and ceilings designed to contain a fire within one area. Gaps around pipes or cables break that barrier. The [compartmentation survey guide](/fire-safety/compartmentation-survey-twickenham) describes how a specialist firm traces these hidden routes through a building.

Every building needs a clear way out. In a block of flats, that usually means protected stairwells and final exits that open without a key. In a house split into bedsits, the routes are shorter but just as vital.

The [fire strategy guide](/fire-safety/fire-strategy-twickenham) explains how escape routes are planned for different buildings in Twickenham. It covers the logic behind stay-put policies in some blocks and simultaneous evacuation in others.

Once the route is set, people need to know what to do when an alarm sounds. The [fire evacuation plan guide](/fire-safety/fire-evacuation-plans-twickenham) shows how a specialist firm writes instructions for flats and offices. These plans sit near exits so residents and staff can read them quickly.

Knowing what to do in a fire matters as much as having the right equipment. Staff in shared buildings need basic awareness, while someone must take charge if an alarm goes off.

The [fire safety training guide](/fire-safety/fire-safety-awareness-training-twickenham) outlines what a specialist firm covers in awareness courses for people living or working in Twickenham buildings. For those given specific duties, the [fire warden training guide](/fire-safety/fire-warden-training-twickenham) explains what the role involves day to day and during an emergency.

Someone has to be legally responsible for fire safety in any shared building. The guide on [who qualifies as the responsible person](/responsible-person/who-is-responsible) clarifies whether that falls to a landlord, a managing agent or a freeholder. If that duty feels too heavy, the [nominated person service guide](/fire-safety/nominated-person-service-twickenham) explains how a specialist firm can handle it.

Written procedures keep everyone clear on what happens before, during and after a fire. The [fire safety policy guide](/fire-safety/fire-safety-policy-and-procedures-twickenham) describes the documents a specialist firm produces for buildings in Twickenham.

Extinguishers and alarms fail if nobody checks them. The [fire equipment testing guide](/fire-safety/fire-equipment-testing-advice-twickenham) explains what servicing involves and how often a specialist firm should look at each device. Broader compliance is covered in the [health and safety reports guide](/fire-safety/health-and-safety-reports-twickenham).

Rules change. The [Fire Safety England Regulations 2022 guide](/responsible-person/fire-safety-regulations-2022-twickenham) sets out what flat owners and managers must now do regarding information boxes and external wall systems. If the council has already written to you, the [enforcement notice guide](/responsible-person/enforcement-notice) explains what steps a specialist firm takes next.

Not every building carries the same risks. Flats above shops face problems that detached houses do not, because a fire in the commercial unit below can trap residents upstairs. The [flats above shops guide](/responsible-person/flats-above-shops-twickenham) addresses this specific layout.

Student houses need attention every September before new tenants arrive. The [student term checks guide](/responsible-person/student-term-checks) lists what a specialist firm examines at the start of the academic year.

Fire risk management applies across west London, not just Twickenham. Separate guides cover [Southall](/west-london/southall), [Ealing](/west-london/ealing), [Putney](/west-london/putney), [New Malden](/west-london/new-malden), [Whitton](/west-london/whitton), [Heston](/west-london/heston), [Hatton](/west-london/hatton) and [West Molesey](/west-london/west-molesey). Each page details the common building types and fire risks found in that area.