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Building Fire Protection

Modern buildings built under the strict design and buildings codes of today have many fire protection systems installed by default. These systems assist with detection and response to fire related emergencies.

If you have questions or maintenance issues in regards to any of this equipment, please contact the Property and Campus Services - Maintenance Department on (03) 8344 6000.

	Fire Break Glass Alarm (B.G.A.) Buildings fitted with a "Fire - Break Glass Alarm" allow occupants to activate the fire alarm and alert the fire brigade easily. The red panel on the wall houses a small button that when depressed will contact the Fire Brigade. The Fire Brigade will respond instantly to the building. You should always try to ring University Security on x46666 to confirm the fire. The glass, or perspex material is easy to break with your fist, elbow or a pen. Smashing the glass will sometimes activate the button automatically.

	Fire Control Systems Some buildings or sections of buildings are fitted with automatically activated sprinkler heads. On activation, the sprinklers discharge a fine mist of water to extinguish/contain a fire. In other special risk locations such as flammable liquids storerooms, computer rooms (main frames), flood systems are used to extinguish fire. Where gaseous flooding systems are installed in normally occupied areas (e.g. computer rooms), a warning alarm is sounded prior to the discharge of gas into the room. A warning notice instructing personnel what to do should also be displayed.

	Fire Indicator Panel (F.I.P.) The F.I.P. is the hub of the fire alarm system in a building. It is usually located on the ground floor near an entrance close to the nearest road. The panel may be located in a cabinet or on a wall. On the panel is a number of lights and buttons. These lights "indicate" which fire sensor has activated in the building. The F.I.P. will automatically notify the fire brigade of an alarm when one of its sensors locates a fire. The F.I.P. will usually talk to the E.W.I.S. (where installed) and notify the building occupants that they need to evacuate.

	Fire Doors Fire doors are installed to minimise the spread of fire, including the passage of smoke through a building. Fire doors may be automatically operated by heat activated mechanisms or smoke detectors. The securing of fire doors must be such that persons leaving an area via the fire door can do so without the use of keys or similar at all times. Fire doors must not be wedged open.

	Smoke and Thermal Fire Detectors The detection system in buildings may sense either heat or smoke or a combination of these. Smoke detectors are increasingly being used because of their earlier warning of an emergency situation. Smoke detectors may also be used to activate fire doors to isolate zones in the building.

	Portable Fire Extinguishers Portable fire fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers are designed to provide the user with an appliance to attend a small fire during its initial stage.

	Fire Hose Reels & Fire Hydrants Canvas fire hoses attached to or adjacent to fire hydrant points are installed only for use by the Fire Brigade. They must not be used by untrained personnel as injury or excess property damage may result.