Take a look around your community with the view of what can catch fire and what is a risk. You can ask your residents to report back on any areas they might have concerns about too. It’s everyone’s community.

Below we cover things to think about as a checklist for your community. Remember to consider any jobs that you might have had postponed due to COVID-19. It would be advisable to prioritise these: 

Roof

• Is it built in a non flammable material?
• Can you replace it if it is a timber or shingle roof?
• If you have replaced it, do you have proof and photos for your insurer?

Vents, eaves and soffits

• Are they in a non flammable material, covered and regularly cleaned?

Rainwater roof gutters

• Have these been swept this year? 

Windows

• Make sure they are double pane and include a fire retardant material, like tempered glass. Glass can shatter from external heat, even if there is no fire within a condo block

Walls

• If they’re wood cladded do you know if it’s fire retardant? 
• If it needs treating has it been completed yet? 
• Ideally, you won’t have these materials on your condo block if you’re a high risk area

Decking and under the decking

• These areas should be fire resistant timber and regularly swept underneath. 
• Any foliage should be kept well back, particularly dry grasses, palm fronds, branches, or large dead plants. These will act as a fuel for any fires.

Garage

• Keep any flammable materials well back
• Ensure all garage doors are covered with weather strips

Make your community easily accessible 

• Are residents keeping to parking restrictions and not parking in front of exit routes
• A minimum 10ft width clearance is required, so ensure that this is possible at all times. 

Around your condo community

• Tall trees close to the condo should be cut to well below the roof line, particularly in high risk areas
• Any foliage growing into or close to decking areas should be removed.
• Any loose tree palms or branches should be removed from the site 
• Remove any build up of rubbish and keep all communal areas clear

Pool pump

• Consider having a pump attached to your community pool to use to douse any fire or embers in an emergency.

Central store

• Review your central store and ensure it is stocked with spades, emergency kit, flashlights, fire extinguishers and PPE.

Regularly review communal areas

Share your emergency procedures with residents, make sure they regularly familiarise themselves with emergency exit routes and what to do if a wildfire threatens the property. 

Photo proof

For everything, make sure you have a file (printed and electronic) of your condo community. Make some time this week to update the photos, or get your community involved, particularly if they’re spending more time at home. You don’t want it to be a job that you wished you’d completed. For more details on this take a look at our comprehensive blog here we also cover what photos and evidence you should be keeping here.

Stock up and be mindful of Covid-19 requirements

Ensure that your community has a central store of emergency kit and that your files in relation to insurance are stored in a safe space. We cover off reviewing your emergency procedures in our blog here.

If you are interested in a quotation get in contact today by emailing customerservice@sliains.com or complete a contact form here.

In the meantime, stay safe, healthy and well