Fire Safety Information
Key fire-safety arrangements for the Brunswick, including responsibilities in shared areas and inside homes. Provides routes for raising concerns or requesting maintenance.
Fire Safety in Shared Areas
Fire safety in the shared parts of the Brunswick is managed through a combination of Camden’s statutory responsibilities, scheduled compliance checks, and the day-to-day housekeeping required on a large estate. Communal corridors, stairwells, plant rooms, external deck areas and internal walkways form part of the fire-protected zones that allow residents to move safely around the building. These spaces must remain clear and accessible at all times, as blocked routes can compromise the wider fire strategy and delay the London Fire Brigade during an incident.
Camden carries out a series of weekly, monthly and quarterly inspections that cover items such as emergency lighting, fire alarms (where present), risers, smoke vents, and statutory signage. Contractors are asked to record faults on site and raise work orders for anything needing repair. Residents will sometimes see Camden staff operating test switches, checking control panels, or walking the circulation routes with tablets or clipboards. These checks help identify issues early, but Camden also expects residents to report incomplete repairs, damaged equipment, or recurring problems.
Because the Brunswick has long internal routes and interlinked communal areas, small issues can quickly accumulate if not reported. Items left in corridors, bikes stored in stair cores, or fire doors that no longer close properly are all examples of risks that need dealing with promptly. By keeping shared areas clear and drawing attention to concerns as soon as they appear, residents support the effectiveness of Camden’s fire-safety routines and help maintain the integrity of the estate’s protective design. These requirements apply equally to residential and commercial occupiers using shared routes and circulation spaces.
Fire Safety Inside Your Home
Inside each home, a number of straightforward precautions play an important part in ensuring the Brunswick’s overall fire strategy works as intended. Camden installs and maintains smoke and heat alarms in tenanted properties, and residents are encouraged to test them regularly rather than waiting for a scheduled visit. Leaseholders should ensure that alarms in their own homes meet current safety standards and are replaced at the recommended intervals. Signs of malfunction — persistent chirping, false alarms, or discolouration — should be dealt with promptly.
Clear internal escape routes are essential. Hallways should not become storage spaces, and residents are advised to keep shoes, prams, and other items away from the path between sleeping areas and the front door. Electrical safety also has a strong bearing on overall risk. Overloaded extension leads, older power bars, or appliances showing heat damage should not be used. Kitchens should be treated with particular care, as the majority of domestic fires originate there. Leaving pans unattended, cooking while tired, or storing items too close to hobs all increase the chance of an incident.
Alterations inside homes should be approached cautiously, especially where walls or ceilings may be part of the fire-resistant structure. Recessed lighting, new extractor systems, or changes to ventilation paths can unintentionally weaken compartmentation. Camden’s housing team can advise on what is permitted and what requires approval. Keeping homes tidy, well-maintained and free of unnecessary ignition risks helps reinforce the building-level protections and supports a safer environment for everyone in the block.
Fire Doors, Compartmentation & Building Structure
Fire doors are central to the Brunswick’s approach to compartmentation, acting as key barriers that slow the movement of smoke and fire through the building. Communal fire doors should close fully and latch without force; any signs of sticking, dragging, or faulty closers should be reported straight away. Residents should avoid wedging doors open for convenience, as even small gaps can undermine the building’s overall strategy. Flat entrance doors play a similar role; frames, thickness, seals, and closers all contribute to the protection of shared corridors during a fire. Camden carries out periodic assessments of flat doors and writes to residents where remedial work or upgrades are required.
The Brunswick’s original concrete structure — including walls, floors, and slabs — provides a strong baseline of fire resistance and does not rely on combustible external cladding systems. This fire performance is derived from the mass and continuity of the concrete construction. That said, compartmentation can still be weakened over time. Service risers, ventilation stacks, and pipe penetrations are all areas where gaps can appear. DIY alterations, historic works, and general wear can create openings that allow smoke to move between compartments.
Camden’s Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) look closely at these details. Where problems are identified, remedial works may include upgrading fire-stopping materials, reinstating intumescent seals, or refitting door sets. Residents may see survey teams inspecting risers or carrying out small works in communal areas as part of this process. Maintaining strong, continuous lines of compartmentation — supported by functioning fire doors — is one of the most important aspects of keeping the Brunswick’s complex layout safe.
Evacuation, Vulnerability & Estate Fire Strategy
Camden’s fire strategy for the Brunswick follows national guidance for purpose-built residential blocks and is based on the principle of compartments providing protection around each flat. In most situations, residents not directly affected by smoke or heat are advised to remain inside their homes unless instructed otherwise by the London Fire Brigade. This avoids crowded stairwells and allows emergency services to access the building more quickly. However, residents should always feel able to leave if they believe they are in immediate danger.
The estate’s layout means that stairwells, corridors, and deck access routes need to be kept clear so the strategy can function effectively. Any items stored in these spaces can hinder evacuation or block firefighters. Camden’s inspection teams routinely check for blockages and speak with residents where repeated obstructions are found. Lifts must not be used in a fire, so residents with mobility needs should not rely on them as part of their plan.
Some residents may need additional support during an emergency. Camden can arrange discussions about Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for those with disabilities, long-term conditions, or mobility challenges. These plans help identify reasonable adjustments or support that may be available. In larger incidents, the London Fire Brigade will take control of the building, and residents should follow their instructions even if those instructions differ from the general “stay put” advice.
Understanding how the building performs in a fire — and how Camden expects residents to respond — allows the estate’s protective measures to work together more effectively.
What To Do in an Emergency (and Key Contacts)
If a fire starts in your flat or you are directly affected by smoke, heat, or flames, you should leave immediately using the nearest safe route and close your front door behind you. This helps contain the fire and prevents smoke spreading into the communal areas. Once safely outside, call 999 and give the operator clear details of your address, block, and floor level. If safe to do so, alert nearby neighbours, but avoid returning into your flat or corridor to collect belongings.
If the fire is elsewhere in the building and you are not affected, Camden’s strategy is for residents to stay in their homes, as the Brunswick’s concrete structure is designed to stop fire spreading between compartments for a significant period. The London Fire Brigade may issue different instructions during an incident depending on the location and severity of the fire, and those instructions should always take priority.
After an incident, Camden’s housing and building safety teams usually carry out follow-up checks to confirm that doors, alarms, and communal protections are functioning. They may arrange temporary repairs or support for affected residents. If you have questions, concerns, or spot something that looks unsafe — such as a damaged fire door, signs of smoke leakage, or a faulty alarm — you can report it through Camden’s repairs service or speak with estate management staff.
Residents can also access information from the London Fire Brigade, including advice on home fire safety visits, safe escape planning, and reducing risks within the home. Keeping these contacts to hand and knowing what to do in an emergency helps ensure that both the building’s design and the residents’ actions work together to support overall safety.
Further official fire-safety guidance for the Brunswick, including statutory notices and posters, is available via the links on this page.
Resident Handbook
Full tenancy rules and responsibilities.
View the complete guide →
On this page
Fire Safety in Shared Areas →
Fire Safety Inside Your Home →
Fire Doors, Compartmentation & Building Structure →
Evacuation, Vulnerability & Estate Fire Strategy →
What To Do in an Emergency (and Key Contacts) →