Balconies
Follow this advice from the London Fire Brigade to help keep you and your neighbours safe
Having access to a private outside space is such a bonus, especially when the weather’s nice. If you have a balcony, please remember that it’s part of a block and what you do or keep on it affects your neighbours. Here is advice from the London Fire Brigade that you should follow to keep you and your neighbours safe:
- Storing combustible items, such as furniture or white goods, isn’t allowed
- BBQs are not permitted on balconies – they must only be used outside, well away from buildings
- Smoking on balconies can be very dangerous - if you do smoke, you must put your cigarette out and dispose of it in an ashtray, and never throw it over the side
- Screens or fencing made of bamboo or any other type of combustible material aren’t permitted
Did you know?
Collating data from Fire Services across the UK using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the data returned found that 310 Balcony Fires occurred between 1 August 2021 and 31 July 2022, up from 213 the year prior for a 46% year-on-year increase. According to the report, of the 310 fires on balconies, 182 were related to smoking, marking for 59% of the total.
Find out more
In 2021-2022 a Balcony Fires Report was produced that used data collated from Fire Services across the UK. The report recorded that the number of balcony fire in the UK has risen by 46% year on year, and that of 310 fires on balconies, 182 were related to smoking, marking for 59% of the total.