[The procedures set out below could with small changes apply to most buildings]
May 2019
FIRE – EVACUATION PROCEDURES
WHAT TO DO IF AFIRE OCCURS IN YOUR UNIT
If you decide fighting the fire is beyond your ability –
EVACUATE
ON THE WAY OUT, -SHUT YOUR UNIT DOOR.
Do NOT lock your door.
BREAK THE GLASS ON THE MANUAL CALL POINT
IN THE FOYER NEAR THE LIFT.
This will alertothers in the building; this will NOTcall the fire brigade. Use your mobile –Phone 000 to call the Fire Brigade
USE THE FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS – do not use the lifts
[Stay in the fire escape stair well with the door shut if you are disabled]
ASSEMBLE AT THE AT REAR OF THE WEST TOWER.
Do not return to the building until instructed by the Fire Brigade
If you have decided to –
ATTACK THE FIRE,
BREAK THE GLASS ON THE MANUAL CALL POINT
IN THE FOYER NEAR THE LIFT.
This will alert and others in the building; this will NOTcall the fire brigade. Phone 000 to call the Fire Brigade
TAKE AN EXTINGUISHER OR FIRE HOSETO THE FIRE.
Your primary duty is safety; not to combat fires.
Smoke and heat build-up can be extremely fast.
RESPONSES TO ALARMS
When you hear the fire belland a simulated voice message warning that a
“Fire has been detected”,CLOSE ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS IN YOUR UNIT AND STAND AT YOUR UNIT FRONT DOOR AND WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.
Collect your keys, wallet, torch and mobile phone and a coat…
Ensure that others on your floor have heard the alarm and assist them. When the Fire Bell stops ringing you will know that a fire warden is seeking the source of the problem: The simulated voice will continue until a fire warden has found the problem. If it is a fire, then a different message will instruct you to “evacuate.” If it is a false alarm, the fire warden, using a microphone P/A will tell you the emergency is over.
If you think you can help and know where the fire is, do all of the above, Phone000 if knowthere is a fire,
It is nota good idea to attempt to fight a fire alone.
If you go to a fire take an extinguisher with you.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
If you are using a fire extinguisher, position yourself between the fire and your escape route.
Do not get behind the fire. If you are overcome by smoke, you will not be able to escape, or be helped, or be missed!
TAKE THE EXTINGUISHER TO THE FIRE, THEN –
P “PULL THE PIN”
A “AIM”
S “SQUEEZE” (Test before going close to the fire)
S “SWEEP”
Place the extinguisher on the ground to assist in the removal of the pin.
Do notsqueeze the handle while you are removing the pin.
(It may be necessary to twist and wriggle the pin to remove it.)
Test– It is a good idea to squeeze the handle briefly before going close to the fire to ensure that it works, (but do not waste the powder).
Aim at the baseof the flames, (not at the flames), and sweep from side to side. Try to smother the fuel.
The extinguisher has a range of about 4 meters and it should last for approx 10 -12 seconds.
Radiant heat and smoke may make it impossible for you to get close enough to attack the fire with an extinguisher. Always back away from the fire. Use only as much of the extinguisher’s capacity as is necessary to put out the fire. You may need the rest of it if the fire restarts.
Get someone – preferably two people – to bring the fire hose.
If it is a fatfire, be careful not to blast the burning fat out of the pan with the force of the extinguisher, as this will spread the fire, – use a fire blanket.
Do not turn the extinguisher upside down.
Do not leave a smoldering fire unattended.(Sometimes the fire will restart.)
Dampen down any smolderingremains with a bucket of water.
FIRE HOSES
TURN THE HOSE REEL VALVE ON BEFORE YOU UNROLL IT.
After you arrive at the fire,turn the hose ON at the nozzle.
To operate nozzle – twist or lever, and direct the jet on to the burning object or material.
Turn it off at the nozzle as soon as the blaze is out.
Stay with the fire in case it restarts.
GENERAL FIRE SAFETY
Adjacent to the lift on each floor of each wing is a
Manual Call Point, a hose-reel and a fire extinguisher.
Familiarize yourself with them.
Although the Body Corporate has installed extinguishers throughout the building, we still recommend that you acquire one for your unit. Do not keep it too close to your stove, this is the most likely place for a fire, and you will not be able to access it.
If there is a fire in the oven, do notopen the oven door.
If you are suspicious that a fire may be on the other side of a door, feel the door (not the handle) for warmth. If the door is warm – DO NOT OPEN IT. The fire on the other side of it willoverwhelm you with smoke and heat. If smoke is starting to come in under the door, block it with a towel or garment.
Get to the window and call for help.
Do not open the window too wide.
When dealing with smoke, cover your face with a wet cloth and move along close to the floor.
Many people have survived fires under wet towels.
SMOKE DETECTORS
Install smokedetectors in sleeping and living areas.
Install heatdetectors in the cooking area.
Renew the batteries on the 1stof April each year.
SECURITY / FIRE SAFETY
Keys to your unit front door must always be in the same place.
You cannot help yourself, or any one else, if you are locked in your unit with the fire…
IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY WE DO NOT THINK VERY WELL…
Your escape may be hampered by smoke and therefor poor vision. – Always keep a torch near your bed.
Keep a key on a hook in the centre of the unit door; but out of reach of a potential intruder, or fit a Lockwood 001 Dead latch.
Limit the number of keys needed to open doors and windows by having all locks keyed alike.
Ensure that you have a doorbell or buzzer that works. Your life may depend on it.
FIRE PREVENTION
If your fuse box is fitted with a safety switches, (earth leakage systems) there is less chance of an electrical fire; and if there is a fire, there is less chance of electric shock when you are hosing the fire with water.
Never leave fat cooking on an unattended stove.
(Induction cook tops are much safer than others as they are not hot)
Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
Do not have curtains near cooking areas.
Do not hoard flammable rubbish.
The Body Corporate can obtain quotes for supply and the installation
of Fire Extinguishers, Detectors, and Fire Blankets for your unit.
GENERAL FIRE STATISTICS
Smoke inhalation is the major cause of death for fire victims.
People aged over 65 and children under the age of 5 are at a higher risk of dying in fires.
The early warning of smoke and fire is the most critical factor affecting safety.
The most effective way to protect you and your family is to have interconnected smoke alarms. (This will be a legal requirement in all rental units in the future.)
Smoke and poisonous gases from the fire quickly numb the senses.
People, if they wake, may become confused and disoriented, making it difficult for them to escape from the fire.
Candles, and cloths dryers cause many fires. (Empty the lint screen after each load.)
The sooner a fire is detected and the alarm raised, the higher the survival rate.
Most fires that caused loss of life occurred between midnight and 8.00 am.
Most fire fatalities occur in residential properties. The majority of fatal fires are caused by accidents involving discarded smoking materials, lighters, matches and candles.
It is forbidden throw cigarette butts from windows or balconies as they may blow back into a unit or garage below you. (See Body Corporate By-Law 6.1)
PLEASE READ THE ABOVE SEVERAL TIMES
AND KEEP HANDY OR PASS ON TO TENANTS.
More copies available on request
End