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Fire Safety Responsibilities
(update 15 January 2020)
Responsibilities of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
While Queensland Fire and Emergency Services are on the premises, they have full control of the Fire Control Room and associated fire control equipment.
If a false alarm is identified, the alarms will be switched-off and the Fire Panel will be re-set. There is no legislative requirement for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to announce that there has been a false alarm. However, officers may make an announcement, or delegate Oaks staff to make an announcement.
If an alarm is sounding, there is a need for residents to evacuate the building. However, once the alarm is switched-off, there is no longer an emergency, and residents may re-occupy the building. This is a matter of common sense.
In the event of a fire, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services will direct what has to happen, such as directing residents assembled in the building foyer to move to the designated Assembly Area.
Responsibilities of the Body Corporate
The Body Corporate is responsible for maintaining a fire and evacuation plan for the building, including evacuation coordination procedures. The Body Corporate must also appoint a Fire Safety Advisor.
As part of the fire and evacuation plan, it has been agreed that the Building Manager will manage Fire Alarm events and act as Fire Warden on behalf of the Body Corporate during business hours.
Elected member of the Body Corporate Committee are required to undertake the annual fire and emergency evacuation training.
Responsibilities of the Building Manager
The Building Manager (or his representative) is to act as Fire Warden, on behalf of the Body Corporate, in the event of an emergency evacuation during business hours (7.00 am to 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday).
All Building Management staff are required to undertake an annual training program in fire and emergency evacuation procedures.
After-hours, duty staff manning the front desk are only required to provide Queensland Fire and Emergency Services access to the Fire Control Room and to provide master keys to allow Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to access the building.
When a fire alarm is triggered by a Manual Control Point (MCP), the Fire Control Panel will directly connect to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
The Building Manager maintains a register of mobility impaired and otherwise impaired persons resident in the building. However, it is the responsibility of individuals to advise the Building Manager of their status.
Mobility impaired and otherwise impaired residents must exercise personal responsibility to ensure they are identified to the Building Manager. Also, they should prepare their own Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).
In the event of an alarm, mobility impaired persons (without the ability to descend the stairs safely) are to remain on their floor and move to the stairwell doors. However, they should not to enter the stairwell unless the fire is on their floor or they can smell smoke, as their presence in the stairwell could block or hinder the passage of other evacuees. They should take a mobile phone with them as a means of communication and if they are required to enter the stairwell for protection, they should call Emergency Services and inform the operator of their situation so swift action can be taken.
If there is a fire and residents must be evacuated, Queensland Fire Services will arrange evacuation for registered mobility impaired persons within the danger zone.
Managing Evacuation Events
The Building Manager’s staff and members of the Body Corporate Committee are required to be trained in the management of emergency evacuation procedures. Residents may also be trained in the management of emergency evacuation procedures. However, there is no requirement for Fire Wardens in residential buildings. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services will take control and direct evacuations in the event of an actual fire or emergency evacuation.
Anyone trained in the management of emergency evacuation procedures may assist in managing resident evacuate from the building. However, during business hours, the Building Manager and or the Facilities Manager will be responsible for directing evacuation procedures.
Fire Safety Information
The Aurora Residential Apartment block consists of 72 levels starting from level B2 (the lower basement car park level) up to level 69 (plant room level).
Fire Safety Features:
- An automatic Fire Detection System complying with the Australian Standard AS 1670.1 in designated common space including the corridors on each residential floor.
- An automatic Fire Sprinkler System complying with the Australian Standard AS 2118 installed throughout the complex, with the exception of bathrooms and balconies in the residential section of the building.
- Connection of the fire detection and fire sprinkler systems to the QFES FireCom Centre through a digital coded alarm signalling equipment unit (ASE) on FCA No 52420.
- Emergency Warning and Intercommunication System with WIP handsets in the fire cupboard and Emergency Alarm Break Glass Points on each accommodation floors. (The Emergency Alarm Points WILL CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES).
- Distribution speakers installed in common space throughout the building at intervals to comply with the performance criteria of the Building Regulations.
- Smoke Alarms installed in each apartment in accordance with AS 3786.
- Fire extinguishers in accordance with the Building Regulations and AS 2444.
- Fire hose reels in accordance with the Building Regulations and AS 2441 up to level 5 ONLY.
- Fire hydrants in accordance with the Building Regulations and AS 2419.
- Fire Stairs fitted with fans to provide fresh air in the stairs in case of a fire.
In the event of a FIRE CONDITION on a particular level:
- The level in fire condition will sound an immediate evacuation message. The floor immediately below and the 2 floors immediately above will automatically receive an alert signal.
- If after 60 seconds, the system is not reset, the warning signal on these floors will turn to an evacuation signal.
- The next floor below and 2 floors above will receive an alert signal.
- This will continue throughout the building until all floors are either evacuated or the alert has been investigated and the system reset. This system is called a cascade system and allows a timely evacuation of the building without clogging up the emergency staircases by evacuating all residents at once.
- In an evacuation once reaching the exit door on ground level all persons should proceed to the Assembly Area at 444 Queen Street (turn left when leaving Aurora Tower). Further directions will be given.
ALWAYS TAKE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE ATTENDING EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL. DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL IT IS DECLARED SAFE TO DO SO.
The levels from B2 to Level 6 will always receive all fire messages. If you are on a car park level you should not use the lifts and proceed to the fire stairs down to ground level.
There are 2 emergency exit staircases both of which are pressurised with fresh air in case of a fire alarm. The staircase pressurisation fans operate on any fire detector or fire sprinkler operation in the building.
Once the alert has been investigated then an all-clear announcement will be made so that evacuees can return to their apartments in the usual way. ONLY those floors that have been affected within the cascade system can hear this announcement (including levels from B2 to 6).
The all-clear may only be heard in the stairwells when the stairwell doors are open and only on those levels that receive the announcement.
Other Information You Need to Know
Warden’s intercom phones (WIP Handsets) are installed on all levels from B2 to level 68. Direct communication can be established between the control room and all fire affected floors by simply lifting the telephone receiver.
Each Apartment has been fitted with one or more self-contained smoke alarms which are not connected to the building fire alarm system but operates independently in that apartment ONLY (The Smoke Alarm(s) DO NOT CALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICE).
Every residential level has a Fire Evacuation Sign in the middle of the corridor outside the lifts. You should review this document and make sure you know what to do in the case of emergency.
Mobility & Otherwise Impaired Persons Register
A register containing the name of building occupants with mobility and other impairments** is kept up to date by Management. The register must include:
• People with impaired hearing;
• People with impaired sight;
• People with limited mobility, either permanently or temporarily;
• People with cardio-vascular problems; and
• Pregnant women with a loss of mobility.
People with disabilities must inform Management whether the disability is permanent or temporary and if temporary when they expect to overcome the disability.
** Impairments that would affect their ability to be aware of or to escape from the building in an emergency
BUILDING OCCUPANTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT DIALING ‘000’ WILL CALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES (Fire Brigade)
Operation of the Fire Systems
Operation of Smoke Detectors (COMMON AREAS ONLY)
WILL
- Indicate alarm origin on the Fire Indicator Panel* and the Mimic Panel*.
- Operate the emergency warning system sounding an Alert tone on floor of origin, two floors above and one floor below. Then after a prescribed timeline will cascade throughout the building.
- Operate the Local Fire Alarm strobe light.
- Send a signal to call the Fire Brigade.
Operation of Emergency Alarm Break Glass Points
WILL
- Indicate alarm origin on the Fire Indicator Panel* and the Mimic Panel*.
- Operate the emergency warning system sounding an Alert tone on floor of origin, two floors above and one floor below. Then after a prescribed timeline will cascade throughout the building.
- Operate the Local Fire Alarm strobe light.
- Send a signal to call the Fire Brigade.
Operation of Fire Sprinklers (ALL AREAS)
- Indicate alarm origin on the Fire Indicator Panel* and the Mimic Panel*.
- Operate the emergency warning system sounding an Alert tone on floor of origin, two floors above and one floor below. Then after a prescribed timeline will cascade throughout the building.
- Operate the Local Fire Alarm strobe light.
- Send a signal to call the Fire Brigade.
*Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) is in the Fire Control Room on the ground floor and the Mimic Panel is a repeater for the FIP which is in the Manager’s Office.
Operation of a Smoke Alarm in an Apartment
WILL
- Operate the local warning device (sounder base) within the apartment ONLY.
- NOT indicate alarm origin on the Fire Indicator Panel* and the Mimic Panel*.
- NOT operate the emergency warning system.
- NOT operate the Local Fire Alarm strobe light.
- NOT Send a signal to call the Fire Brigade.
SMOKE ALARMS WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESET AFTER SMOKE CLEARS
The information on this page should be considered as a guide only and does not constitute any legal advice or warranty.
Upon activation of the Fire Alarm, you will hear an Alert Tone – “Barp-Barp-Barp” Followed by the Evacuation Tone which is a continuous – “Rising Whoop”
CAR PARK LEVELS – NOTE
The levels from B2 to Level 6 will always receive all fire messages. If you are on a car park level you should not use the lifts. You should proceed to the fire stairs down to ground level.
What do I do if the evacuation message sounds?
You are required to commence evacuation.
You should ensure all persons in your apartment are prepared to leave immediately. If you have pets then they should also be ready to evacuate. Collect SMALL personal belongings (handbag, wallet, apartment keys).
Feel door handle.
DO NOT OPEN DOOR IF THE HANDLE IS HOT.
Place a wet towel at the base of the door.
IF SMOKE OR FIRE PREVENTS YOUR EVACUATION, CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES.
Provide the name ‘Aurora Tower’, Floor and Apartment Number. IF ALL OK, then open the door slowly, using it as a shield when checking for smoke.
IF SAFE TO PROCEED, proceed to the fire stairs and move carefully downwards. The lights in the stairs have motion sensors and will come on when you enter the stairway.
Once you have reached the exit door on ground level you should proceed to the Assembly Area at 444 Queen Street (turn left when leaving Aurora Tower). Further directions will be given.
ALWAYS TAKE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE ATTENDING EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL. DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL IT IS DECLARED SAFE TO DO SO.
What happens when I have smoke in my apartment from a non-serious event?
Open your balcony doors and windows to allow the smoke to dissipate to the outside. Do not open your front door – the smoke will fill the corridor and the common area smoke detectors will operate.
What happens when my fire sprinkler is set off in the kitchen?
The sprinkler is designed to be set off by heat. Sprinklers are not interconnected and each will only start if triggered by a heat event.
NOTE: if a sprinkler is damaged (e.g. by a tradesman) it can be set off.
The emergency warning system will sound an Alert tone on your floor; two floors above and one floor below (see cascade system). The Fire Brigade will be called.