Fire Technology
Subtitle
Emergency’s and a trained Emergency Control Organisation (ECO).
Who needs a trained (ECO)? (Ref SA OHSW regs 1995, MS SA76 schedule 3.15, AS 3745, AS 1670 and AS 1851).
It always amazes me that there is a misconception amongst the general population that you only need to evacuate a building when the alarm is sounding or because of a fire. In the case of a building fitted with an EWIS there is the delusion that in all cases the alert tone will sound followed by a PA from the Chief Warden, who will also talk to wardens on the WIP. This is certainly not the case.
I have itemised some recent evacuations that have taken place in different buildings all of which I have witnessed. The emergencies mentioned also demonstrate the importance of having a well trained ECO within the building. These evacuations also provide evidence that the EWIS could be used in variety of ways which will be determined by the type of emergency the ECO is faced with.
Incident 1.
Type of emergency. Fire.
Alarm sounded? Yes automatically Via a smoke detector.
Boarding house.
Class
Occupant Characteristics. Sleeping approx 50.
Some of the safety systems installed. Automatic self closing fire doors, Smoke detectors in each room.
Type of alarm system. Collective sounding fire bells.
A burning candle activated the alarm one night. All occupants evacuated and were at the assembly area when the Fire Serviced arrived on the scene.
Type of emergency. Flood.
Alarm sounded ? No
Very large shopping centre 3 floors.
Class
Occupant Characteristics. Shopping, eating, with varying ages and mobility.
Some of the safety systems installed. Automatic self closing fire doors, Smoke detectors, Sprinklers, Smoke extraction etc.
Type of alarm system. Addressable via a full EWIS system.
A freak rain storm flooded the ground floor of a shopping centre. The management made the decision to evacuate. The evacuation was achieved by sending the ECO wardens into individual shops and asking people to finish shopping and go home.
Type of emergency. Sewer pipe explosion on level 10.
Alarm sounded ? Yes manually by the CW.
Multi storey building 25 + floors.
Class 5.
Occupant Characteristics.. Working office staff / a few mobility impaired.
Some of the safety systems installed. Automatic self closing fire doors, Smoke detectors, Sprinklers, Smoke extraction etc.
Type of alarm system. Addressable via a full EWIS system.
A sewer pipe exploded on level 10 the Chief Warden evacuated the affected floor via the EWIS manually. Later the decision was made to evacuate the whole building the mobility impaired were evacuated by the lifts.
Type of emergency. Fumes coming up from basement.
Alarm sounded ? No.
Multi storey building 12 floors.
Class 5
Occupant Characteristics. Working office staff / a few mobility impaired.
Some of the safety systems installed. Automatic self closing fire doors, Smoke detectors, Sprinklers, Smoke extraction etc.
Type of alarm system. Collective via a full EWIS system.
An occupant contacted the Chief Warden and informed him of a smell coming up from the basement. The Chief Warden investigated and decided to evacuate. He contacted his wardens individually by telephone informing them of his decision. All occupants evacuated.
Incident 5.
Type of emergency.. White powder.
Alarm sounded ? No.
Multi storey building 20 floors.
Class 5
Occupant Characteristics.. Working office staff.
Some of the safety systems installed. Automatic self closing fire doors, Smoke detectors, Sprinklers, Smoke extraction etc.
Type of alarm system. Addressable via a full EWIS system.
A warden was opening the mail and discovered to her horror that inside the parcel was a plastic bag containing some white powder. She contacted the Chief Warden who consequently called the Fire Service. The affected floor was sealed off.
Type of emergency. Leaking package.
Alarm sounded ? Yes manually by the Chief Warden.
5 floors.
Class 5
Occupant Characteristics. Working office staff and post office sorting staff.
Some of the safety systems installed. Smoke detectors, Sprinklers, Smoke extraction etc.
Type of alarm system. Collective via a full EWIS system.
A member of the sorting staff noticed a parcel leaking some fluid, he quickly called the Chief Warden who contacted the HAZ MAT team. They advised him to evacuate the entire building. The Chief Warden made an announcement via the PA and pushed the all evacuation button.
Type of emergency. Smoke coming through an air conditioning duct.
Alarm sounded ? Yes manually by the fire service.
Multi storey building 17 floors.
Class 5
Occupant Characteristics. Working office staff / a few mobility impaired.
Some of the safety systems installed. Automatic self closing fire doors, Smoke detectors, Sprinklers, Smoke extraction etc.
Type of alarm system. Addressable via a full EWIS system.
A warden noticed smoke coming through an air conditioning duct. She evacuated her floor tried to contact the Chief Warden but to no avail. The Fire service were called and arrived at the building to find that the alarm had not been activated and that the Chief Warden was out of the building. Not knowing the source of the smoke the fire service entered the fire control room and pressed the evacuate all button.
Incedents 8, 9 and 10
Type of emergencys. Smoke coming through an air conditioning duct. Paint fumes and a burning circuit breaker.
Alarm sounded ? No
Small dental surgery. 5 staff
Class
Occupant Characteristics. Working dental staff / a few mobility impaired.
Some of the safety systems installed. Emergengy Lighting exit signs.
Smoke coming in throught the air conditiong system. The CW evacuated to the designated assembly area.
3 months later during decorating the surgery the Paint fumes were making the occupants dizzy. CW evacuated to the community centre.
1 year later a Staff member smelt burning, the CW evacuated and called the emergency services. A circuit breaker was burning in the roof space.
