Emergency management

Information for Owners and Residents

THE WHOLE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AREA IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW.  YOUR SUGGESTIONS ARE VERY WELCOME.  PLEASE USE THE ‘CONTACT’ TAB.

 

– Emergency Exit lights are fitted throughout the building as required by law.  See button below for more on these lights.

 – The Owners Corporation understands that all apartments are separated from each other and from the common areas by 2-hour rated walls.  Any penetrations in walls should be treated so as to maintain the fire rating.

 – Apartment front doors and many other doors around the building are 2-hour rated fire doors. These doors are a part of the apartment and the apartment owner is responsible for maintenance.  Routine checks are arranged by the Owners Corporation using qualified contractors.   See button below for more on fire doors.

 – Carparks, plant areas, and the two tower buildings are protected by a pressurised sprinkler and automatic alarm system.  The pumps and the alarm panel to support this are located next to the Albert Street carpark entrance.  The alarm system will automatically call the Fire Brigade if a sprinkler is triggered.  Note: The “walk up” (low level) buildings do NOT have the sprinkler/alarm system because it was not required for buildings of this height at the time they were built.

 – The two tower buildings also have emergency staircases for use in an evacuation (when lifts should NOT be used).  If the fire alarm has been activated these staircases will be automatically pressurised to keep them smoke free.

 – There are hose reels on each level in all apartment buildings.The hose reels are general purpose and should not be used for electrical and flammable liquid fires. It is only necessary to run out the amount of hose required to reach the fire location.

– There are fire hydrants and extinguishers in some common areas.  See button below for more on fire extinguishers.

 – There are Fire Alarm Horns, doubling as a loudspeaker system, directed into the central common areas and controlled from the fire panel room that will sound during testing, emergency, or to give directions during an actual emergency.  They can be used by the Building Mgr or by Emergency Services such as the Fire Brigade.  Routine alarm testing is performed.

FIRE ALARM PROCESS​

Should a sprinkler head or lift lobby smoke detector be activated, the following will occur: –

• The alarm registers at the Fire Indicator Board in the Fire Control Room.
• The alarm is relayed to the Fire Brigade.
• Warning bells will commence ringing.
• Stair pressurisation and car park ventilation fans turn on automatically.

FIRE SIGNALS

The audible signals are tested regularly. Please make sure you are familiar with the different tones and what they mean.

EVACUATION PROCEDURE

• On hearing the fire sirens or smoke detectors, YOU MAY DECIDE to evacuate via the nearest Fire Exit Stairs. (On the other hand, past discussion with the Fire Brigade suggests that in many cases it may be safer to stay inside unless there is fire or smoke inside the apartment or in apartments below you.)  
• Listen for instructions from the loudspeaker system – always evacuate the building if directed to do so by Emergency Services.
• If confronted with a heavy volume of smoke, crawl towards safety – the cleanest air is near the floor.
• Check that your neighbours are aware of the situation.
• DO NOT USE THE LIFT
• When descending the stairs, REMAIN CALM and DO NOT PANIC. Remain in single file so there is room for Emergency Services to come up the stairs if necessary.
• Assist any person in difficulty or immediate danger ONLY IF SAFE to do so.
• Evacuate to designated assembly area
• Remain at assembly area until advised by Emergency Services or the Building Manager that it is safe to return.

IF YOU SEE A FIRE IN THE BUILDING AND YOU HAVE NOT HEARD AN ALARM BELL OR SIREN, MOVE TO A SAFE LOCATION AND PHONE 000 IMMEDIATELY, AND THEN THE BUILDING MANAGER.

POLICE AND INFORMATION

In an Emergency – Police, Fire, or Ambulance, call Triple Zero ( 000 ) from any phone.​

The designated “Local Police Station” for VATR is Melbourne East, located at  
226 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000.  Phone (03) 9637 1100.  Open 24 hours.​

For assorted other information from Victoria Police, including Emergency Response, see  the button below. More from Victoria Police

​EMERGENCY LIGHTING

The emergency and Exit lighting system at VATR generally consists of 
– Illuminated directional exit signs
– Lighting that is designed to turn on or remain on during a power outage.

The lighting is battery powered and designed to run for 90 minutes during a power outage.  As per regulations, Emergency and Exit lights are tested and repaired every six months. If you see a light out, please report it to the Building Manager.

​FIRE DOORS

The fire doors in VATR are: –

– doors opening into the staircases from the basement;
– doors opening into the staircases from the lower ground car parks;
– doors opening into the staircases from each tower level;
– doors opening into the western courtyard exiting from the Victoria Tower ground floor;
– doors opening into the eastern lane exiting from the Albert Tower ground floor; and,
all apartment doors

​These doors are self-closing with a fire rating of 2 hours.  They are designed to prevent fire from spreading from one part of the complex to another.  

DO NO WEDGE FIRE DOORS OPEN.

​FIRE DOOR INSPECTIONS

Regular Fire Door Inspections are a Government Regulation in the compliance of Essential Services.  Accordingly, all common area doors are inspected and maintained by the Building Manager.  However, residents are requested to ensure apartment doors operate appropriately.

Residents should ensure that their apartment door:

– operates satisfactorily;
– has all screws firm in the hinges, latch set, face plate and door closer;
fits reasonably in frame  i.e. no large gaps;
– has the automatic closing mechanism arm fitted securely;
– fully closes on release (without slamming)​

If any of the above needs attention, please contact the Building Manager immediately.​

As already stated, the front door of each apartment is considered a ‘fire door’.  However, the internal side of the fire door is determined private property and is therefore owner responsibility.​

All the apartment doors close automatically with the fitted ‘closing mechanism arm’. This mechanism can be adjusted with an ‘Allen’ key so the door closes gently but firmly, without slamming and disturbing neighbours.  Please check your doors and arrange for any necessary adjustments.​

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

There are four specific types of Fire Extinguishers located at VATR:

• Follow these steps when using a portable Fire Extinguisher:- Pull the pin
• Aim extinguisher at base of fire.
• Squeeze the handle
• Sweep the extinguisher from side to side at the base of the fire.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.