[200William-EC] 7TH FLOOR DOOR

[Shane Ellis]

Hi all, the doors of the fire stair are designed and certified to maintain integrity to all aspects of fire attack (flame, heat & smoke) for a period of 90 minutes. They have a steel core, smoke seals, and are automatically closing. 
In the event of a fire, the fire stair is the safest place to be, except outside. 
This is why access to all other egress points are blocked, and exit signs point to the point of egress at level G.

This is not unique to our building. It is legislated building standards. Our building must comply with the fire safety schedule which is certified annually by the appointed consultant. 
As an OC, we open ourselves up to litigation (and a guilty conscience) if something should happen because we ignore the wisdom of appointed experts and amended the fire design of our building to suit our own purposes. 

If we want to leave access to the roof open, then the only question we need to ask is to our fire consultant, being... 'Will he certify the annual fire certificate if we amend the fire stair egress as suggested' 
If the consultant certifies thus, then fine. If no, then categorically, we cannot have the door opening. 

Perhaps George can forward this email to the fire consultant for an answer. 
In doing so, the fire consultant must be aware that the glass doors leading onto the roof are locked at evening. If the consultant deems the roof an acceptable egress point (doubtful) then these glass doors must be openable 24 hours, otherwise people will be trapped in the lift foyer where they will be overcome by smoke, as the lift foyers are not fire-compartmentalised as is the fire stair. 

I cannot emphasise enough that the building must comply with the legislated standards, and be certified thus by the duly appointed certifier. 

Shane Ellis

On 20/02/2013, at 2:07 PM, "CSCL" <cscl at optusnet.com.au> wrote:

> I also vote that we unlock the level 7 escape door permanently.
>  
> To Matt’s point -  people can easily escape to the roof if necessary, and not be found dead at the top of the stairs of level 7 because of a locked door. 
>  
> From: ec-bounces at 200william.com [mailto:ec-bounces at 200william.com] On Behalf Of Rob Willett
> Sent: Wednesday, 20 February 2013 1:39 PM
> To: ec at 200william.com
> Subject: [200William-EC] 7TH FLOOR DOOR
>  
> I vote we unlock it permanently
>  
> Thanks 
>  
>  
> <image001.jpg>
>  
> On 20/02/2013, at 12:45 PM, CSCL wrote:
> 
> 
> George,
>  
> I provided you with the details of what happened this morning primarily because of the door situation on level 7.  This locked door could be a disaster, waiting to happen in case of an emergency evacuation of the building.  IF during a major fire people used the fire stairs to go down and they became blocked for whatever reason, there is no exit on any level.  Level 7 door must be kept unlocked in order that people can escape onto the roof.
>  
> Would the EC please vote on this matter as soon as possible.
>  
> George, the contractor is a very pleasant guy and was very efficient.  Please continue to use this company in the future.  Again, my concern had to do with the level 7 door.
>  
> Thank you very much.
> Craig Laforest
>  
>  
>  
> From: George Ziri [mailto:Georgeziri at bfms.com.au] 
> Sent: Wednesday, 20 February 2013 11:45 AM
> To: CSCL
> Cc: ec at 200william.com
> Subject: RE: [200William-EC] INSURANCE COMPANY VISIT
>  
> Good Morning Craig,
>  
> Thank you for providing access for the insurance contractor.
>  
> I was not able to meet the contractor at 9am as i was on site at 7am. Please see attached the email sent to the contractor who failed to reply to me.
>  
> I spoke with the contractor at 9am and explained to him (as I do to every contractor) that the building keys can be collected from the AVIS office. And that he contacted me with any queries. He seems to have forgotten our conversation as he is telling you otherwise. I will remember not to use this contractor again.
>  
> Would you be kind to refer the level 7 door to the committee for approval.
>  
>  
>  
> ________________________________________________________ 
> George Ziri | Operations
>  
> Building Facilities Management Solutions Pty Ltd
> 
> Direct: 0400 300 242 | Facsimile: 9547 3132 | PO BOX A2319 SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235
>  
> visit us www.bfms.com.au
>  
> From: ec-bounces at 200william.com [mailto:ec-bounces at 200william.com] On Behalf Of CSCL
> Sent: Wednesday, 20 February 2013 11:01 AM
> To: George Ziri
> Cc: ec at 200william.com
> Subject: [200William-EC] INSURANCE COMPANY VISIT
>  
> Hello George,
>  
> The insurance company visited this morning and I had to let them in as they were expecting you or one of your team to be here.
>  
> I unlocked the gym door for them, but couldn’t leave them alone because they didn’t have a key to get out of level 7 to the elevators, once they had completed their work.   This door is permanently locked.
>  
> I have raised the problem of the locked door on level 7 before.  IF there is a fire emergency and people try to escape to the roof, they would not able to get out of the fire escape stairs because the door is always locked on level 7.   Would you please organize to have the lock on level 7 taken off and a simple handle installed.
>  
> Also, the insurance company confirmed that the fire door on level 6 (damaged during the water plant problem) will be replaced.
>  
> Thank you.
> Craig Laforest
> _______________________________________________
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>  
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