1. FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN Freemans Park

All star-blocks at Freemans Park have been consented with a type 5 fire safety system and a  ‘fire action’ notice with the fire evacuation procedure is clearly visible in each starblock near the main fire alarm board on the ground floor, for example:

The common areas have both heat sensors (connected to the main fire alarm of the block) and smoke sensors, the body corporate is responsible for the maintenance of both type of sensors in the common areas. 

The units have both

heat sensors: these are connected to the main fire alarm of the block and the body corporate is responsible for maintenance of the heat sensors

– the heat sensors in the units are inspected on a yearly basis in the context of the Auckland Council Building Warrant Of Fitness, but if you experience a fault or malfunction please contact the BGM immediately

-if you are planning renovation works in your unit contact the BGM as the dust of the works might set off the heat detectors, they will have to be de-activated during the works and re-instated when the renovation is completed

smoke alarms: these are not connected to the main fire alarm and the owner of the unit is responsible for the maintenance/replacement of these smoke alarms – If you are unsure regarding the replacement of (a) faulty/malfunctioning smoke alarm(s) please contact the BGM for advice, but the following are the minimum requirements:

  1. Required specification of the smoke sensor(s): Fire and Emergency NZ recommends that the smoke alarms are either hard wired detectors 230V with a 9V back up battery (when the smoke alarm beeps the battery will have to be replaced) or long life photo-electric detectors with batteries that last up to 10 years
  2. Required location of the smoke sensor(s): The New Zealand Building Code requires an approved smoke alarm to be fitted in every escape route (hallway) and within three metres of every sleeping space (bedroom) door. The minimum requirement for the starblock units is therefore one smoke detector (hallway) per unit but FENZ recommends to have them in each bedroom as well. – see here https://fireandemergency.nz/at-home/smoke-alarms/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzeHS7tjg5QIV0qqWCh0EpwoIEAAYASAAEgIMSPD_BwE
    1. Requirement of interconnected smoke alarms WITHIN a unit: at the 2019 AGM the body corporate adopted a new BC rule 33 confirming that the owner of a unit must ensure the unit is fitted with properly maintained and working smoke detector(s) and that if the owner has more than one smoke alarm in their unit they must make sure these smoke detectors are interconnected per NZ standard 4514:2009 so that if one goes off in one room the other(s) will go off as well, ensuring that the residents of the unit will be adequately warned of smoke when asleep. – for the standard details see here: https://www.standards.govt.nz/online-standards/interconnected-smoke-alarms-for-houses/nzs-45142009-as-a-whole/

    See also our body corporate operational rules page here: https://freemanspark.co.nz/living-together/freemans-park-body-corporate-rules/.

  3. WHAT TO DO WHEN A FIRE ALARM GOES OFF

If the main alarm of the block is triggered by a heat sensor

1  Activate the fire alarm in the common area as well – please be aware that the alarm will not automatically notify the fire brigade – see under 4

2  Evacuate the building immediately

3  Assemble at the designated assembly point

4  Call 111 and ask for the fire brigade promptly as the alarms are not connected to the fire station. They will investigate and de-activate the alarm when it is safe.

-If (a) (interconnected) smoke sensor(s) go(s) off within a unit

1  Confirm whether there is a fire or not, if so call the fire brigade and activate a call point, this will sound a general alarm then evacuate.
2  For burning toast or similar air out any smoke by opening windows in your unit only but do not open your front door leading into the common area, as the smoke might set off the main alarm!
3 If there is no smoke vacuum around the smoke detector that has been triggered to remove dust and wait for it to re set

-Fire Alarm do’s and don’ts

Remember : In the instance of a general alarm ALWAYS evacuate the building and ALWAYS call the fire brigade on 111 and ALWAYS assemble outside

Don’t hang items from heat detectors
Don’t smoke inside common areas of building
Remember the Fire alarm is not connected to NZ FIRE SERVICE
Evacuate building and go to assembly point
Don’t remove smoke detectors without replacing
Smoke detectors have backup 9V batteries, when the alarm beeps every 30-40 seconds the backup battery needs to be replaced!

 

Common property plumbing/electrical fault

In the case of plumbing or electrical emergency on common property or that affects common use please contact the Building and Grounds Manager

Leaks

  • Fixing leaks may be the responsibility of either an individual Owner or the Body Corporate
  • It is important to report leaks as soon as possible for insurance purposes.  The Body Corporate Owners’ Committee is aware of at least one situation where a private Owner’s insurer declined to cover leak damage to private property that had been going on for some time because they could not distinguish between the damage and ordinary wear and tear
  • As soon as an external leak is evident you should contact the Property Manager to ascertain who will fix it.
  • In the case of internal leaks you should contact your plumber (if you’re an Owner) or your landlord (if you’re renting). If a plumber identifies that the leak is coming from another unit or from common piping please contact the Buildings and Grounds Manager
  • the following diagram illustrates who is responsible for expenses in response maintenance : Freemans Park Response Maintenance Who Pays