Fire Evacuation | QV1 Melbourne

Fire Safety Emergency Evacuation Procedures

When the Alarm Sounds:

When the alarm sounds please listen carefully to the instructions provided. If instructed to evacuate the building, please walk to the closest fire exit stairs moving into the stairway and ensuring all doors remain closed behind you.

Continue down the stairs to the ground floor and exit the building, proceeding to your assembly area at the intersection of Lonsdale & Swanston Streets.

The Chief Fire Warden will advise you when it is safe to re-enter the building. Please do not re-enter the building until you have been advised to do so by the Chief Fire Warden.

Know Where Your Nearest Exits Are:

For your safety please ensure you know the location of the nearest emergency exit. If you are not sure where your nearest exit is, please contact the Building Manager on 0431 066 130.

Fire Exit Doors Must be Kept Free of Obstructions At All Times.

Lifts:

If the alarm is sounding and you have been instructed to exit the building, please do not use the lifts. The lifts are automatically switched off and you may become trapped in the lift.

What Do I Do When I Exit The Building?

Once you are clear of the building please walk down to the scheduled assembly area. The Assembly Area is the corner of Swanston & Lonsdale Streets.

Fire Extinguishers:

It is not advised to remain in the building and try to extinguish the fire yourself. However, if it is safe to do so:

  • Remove the fire extinguisher from the bracket on the wall and carry to the location of the fire, but stay clear of the fire
  • Remove the pin and test the extinguisher by squeezing the handle
  • Point the nozzle of the extinguisher at the base of the fire
  • Do not point the fire extinguisher at the flames in the air. Extinguish from the base

Fire Hose Reels:

It is not advised to remain in the building and try to extinguish the fire yourself. However, if it is safe to do so:

  • Unravel the fire hose from the reel
  • Ensure that the rose nozzle is turned off
  • Open the valve (this is the tap)
  • Take the fire hose to the location of the fire, but remain at a safe distance
  • Open the rose nozzle on the hose and direct the water at the base of the fire
  • Do not use the fire hose if the fire has been caused by an electrical item or electricity

What Do I Do If The Fire Starts In My Apartment?

  • Stay as low to the floor as possible.
  • You may need to crawl if the smoke is heavy
  • Get everyone out of your apartment close your apartment front door behind you. This will contain the fire longer.
  • Once in the hallway, knock on your neighbour’s doors and alert them of the fire
  • Activate the fire alarm if there is one on your level
  • Go to the nearest fire exit and depart the building. Remember to close the doors
  • Call the Fire Department (000) from your mobile phone when you are out of the building. Or ask a neighbour on the level below you if you can use their phone to call the Fire Department
  • Do not use the lift when there is a fire. It is hazardous.

What Do I Do If I Am Trapped In My Apartment With A Fire?

  • Try to remain calm
  • Close all doors between you and the fire. The bathroom is usually a safe place
  • Call the Fire Department (000) from your mobile phone when you are safe from the fire
  • If you see the fire trucks below the building still call the emergency telephone number (000) so that the fire department knows you are in the building and trapped
  • Explain to the fire department exactly where you are in your apartment / building
  • Wrap yourself in a blanket or bedding for protection. If possible wet the blanket or bedding as this will provide you with more protection
  • If possible, go to a window and waive a sheet or shine a torch to attract attention

If You Have Special Needs:

If you, or someone in your family, has special needs and may not be able to exit the building by the fire exit stairwell in an emergency, please advise the Building Manager of your special needs before an emergency. You may like to talk to a neighbour as well as the Building Manager so that they can help you if there is an emergency.

Contact your local Fire Department, or ask your Building Manager to contact them, and ask them to develop a special escape plan. Your Building Manager may know of other residents who have similar needs and may already have a special plan he can provide you with.

Additional Information:

Fire panels, which monitor all common areas in case of fire, are located on the ground floor foyer as well as the Lonsdale Street driveway entrance of the building.

TIPS TO PREVENT FALSE FIRE ALARMS

Please be advised that the fire alarm system will automatically detect other conditions besides fire, such as:

  • Steam – hot showers / kettle or urn / cooking / steam from laundry
  • Dust – tradesmen working / cleaning / through open windows
  • Fumes – polishing machines / cleaning fluids / tradesmen’s solvents
  • Miscellaneous – hairspray / hair dryers / cigarette smoke / cooking smoke / burnt toast / burnt cooking / incense sticks / birthday candles / heat generated by building equipment

DO NOT open your front door and allow steam / burnt cooking, etc to move into the hallway as this will cause the fire alarm system to activate and result in a false fire alarm which the MFB will attend to, the cost of false fire alarms are in excess of $2000. Persons responsible for false fire alarms are liable for all costs. To avoid this unneccesary cost, open your balcony doors to allow the steam / smoke to escape and turn on your exhaust fans. DO NOT open the apartment door to the hallway.

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