EMERGENCIES & EVACUATIONS

Evacuation Procedures

The Chief Fire Warden is responsible for determining if a Centre evacuation is necessary for the safety of all. In the event of a Centre evacuation, store managers are responsible for directing customers to Centre exits and, in turn, evacuating store staff. Listen for instructions on the Public Address system and from Fire Wardens. Fire Evacuation Plans are provided to each retailer.

Other Alarms

‘Ring         ‘Ring       ‘Ring = Fire Alarm Bell

The FIRE ALARM BELL is mounted outside the building to guide the Fire Brigade to the Fire Indicator Panel or Fire Control Room.

‘Beep’         ‘Beep’      ‘Beep’ = Alert Alarm

The ALERT ALARM is operated from the Master Emergency Control Panel.  It is designed to alert in a specific area, or throughout the building, of a possible emergency. 

On hearing the ALERT ALARM stand by and listen for instructions over the P.A. Do not panic or cause panic among our shoppers.

Evacuation Alarm

‘Whoop’      ‘Whoop’      ‘Whoop’  = Evacuation Alarm

The EVACUATION ALARM is designed to notify all occupants on a specific floor, or throughout the building, that an evacuation is necessary.

The EVACUATION ALARM usually follows the Alert Alarm, however it may be operated without the Alert preceding it, where an immediate evacuation is ordered.

On hearing the Evacuation Alarm, all occupants should assemble at the nearest Fire Exit and evacuate the Centre. Direct your customers to leave your shop via the nearest fire exit and if safe to do so, secure your shop and evacuate via the nearest fire exit.

Fire Safety - Procedures & Evacuation

Winston Hills Mall is protected by smoke detection systems, automatic sprinkler systems and hose reels and fire extinguishers. In the event of a fire within the mall, local alarms sound and the fire brigade will automatically attend the Centre.

The Centre evacuation/safety team are alerted for further action. Regular fire evacuation drills are carried out with a full practice evacuation conducted once per year.

Please familiarise yourself with the Centre’s evacuation procedure provided and ensure that your staff have a complete understanding of Fire Safety procedures and the Evacuation Plan. 

If you require any clarification or further information, please contact the Centre’s Operations Manager.

Note: From time to time Centre Management and our insurance advisers may wish to inspect the fire protection and ease of egress in your premises to ensure compliance with the authorities’ requirements.

Fire Sprinklers

These are installed in your ceiling and in the false ceiling space. The heat, generated by a fire, activates them. The heat explodes a glass bulb, which activates the sprinkler and once the sprinkler system is activated, the Fire Brigade are the only people who can shut down the system.

  • NEVER store boxes/stock close to the sprinkler head. This impedes water flow.

  • Leave a clear distance of at least ½ metre from each sprinkler head.  The sprinkler layout needs to be reviewed when you are planning any alterations, shelving etc.

  • Do not allow anything to come into contact with the sprinkler head. By design, the glass bulb is extremely fragile.  If the glass bulb is accidentally fractured the sprinkler will activate possibly flooding your premises and damaging stock.

When a sprinkler activates, the building’s emergency services activate also. The air-conditioning shuts down, the Fire Brigade attend and fire stair pressurisation fans and smoke spill fans are activated. Never tamper with a fire sprinkler, and never hang anything from the sprinkler head.

Doing your bit:

You are to assist in the minimisation of risk through the following measures:

  • Check your store for fire hazards

  • Dispose of combustible materials immediately

  • Do not store any goods adjacent to sprinklers, fire exits or passageways

  • Ensure all staff are aware of fire emergency procedures, including the location of extinguishers

  • Ensure your tenancy meets its essential safety measures and maintenance requirements as set out in your Building Permit and/or Final Inspection (issued by the building surveyor) and that the required maintenance is undertaken and documented records kept

  • It is a legal requirement that your nominated staff member(s) attend Fire Warden training, and all staff participate in Emergency Drills

  • ALL RETAILERS ARE REMINDED THAT THERE IS NO SMOKING PERMITTED WITHIN ANY ENCLOSED AREAS OF THE CENTRE INCLUDING SHOPS, AMENITIES, STOREROOMS etc.

Fire Exits

The fire stairs are for emergency exit only.

Please do not use as a thoroughfare. All doors are alarmed.

Note: Security will investigate each alarm activation. Do not place trolleys, merchandise or rubbish in fire exits. It is ESSENTIAL that all staff know the location of fire exits. Do not block access to fire stairs nor store goods in emergency exits.

Ensure staff are aware and attend any Fire Training & Evacuation exercise. Remember that you have a duty under WHS to ensure your staff are aware of safety and training procedures.

Fire Hydrants & Hose Reels

These are located throughout the building.  Make your staff aware of the location of the closest hose reel and hydrants. You have been provided with this information.

Building Alarms

‘Ring         ‘Ring       ‘Ring = FIRE ALARM BELL

The FIRE ALARM BELL is mounted outside the building to guide the Fire Brigade to the Fire Indicator Panel or Fire Control Room.

‘Beep’         ‘Beep’      ‘Beep’ = Alert Alarm

The ALERT ALARM is operated from the Master Emergency Control Panel.  It is designed to alert in a specific area, or throughout the building, of a possible emergency. 

On hearing the ALERT ALARM stand by and listen for instructions over the P.A. Do not panic or cause panic amongst our shoppers.

‘Whoop’      ‘Whoop’      ‘Whoop’ = Evacuation Alarm

The EVACUATION ALARM is designed to notify all occupants on a specific floor, or throughout the building, that an evacuation is necessary.

The EVACUATION ALARM usually follows the Alert Alarm, however it may be operated without the Alert preceding it, where an immediate evacuation is ordered.

NOTE:  On hearing the Evacuation Alarm, all occupants should assemble at the nearest Fire Exit and evacuate the Centre.

In Case of Fire

1.        Shout    FIRE, FIRE, FIRE!,    Let people know about it.
2.       Ensure someone alerts the Centre Management Office immediately.
3.       If instructed to leave the Centre by a fire warden, fire officer or a police officer, leave the premises immediately for your safety, and as a Fire Authority Regulation.

Remember: Stock, fixtures and fittings are unimportant in the case of fire. They can be replaced. People cannot.

Other Emergencies

After Hours Retailer Security

Security Staff will check tenancy doors after hours and will notify retailers of any unsecured premises using the telephone numbers provided by the retailers. Retailers are expected to provide Winston Hills Mall Centre Management with the name, titles and telephone numbers of staff who can be contacted in an emergency. This information is totally confidential.

In the event of staff changes, telephone number changes, etc, please advise Centre Management immediately, as nobody likes being woken up at night if they no longer work in the premises.

Theft

If an offence is committed in your premises, it is your responsibility to notify the Police. In the event of shoplifting the Centre’s Security Staff may be able to assist prior to the arrival of the Police.  However, note that security staff do not have the power of arrest and their response will depend upon the individual circumstances.

Please take all precautions within your store and ensure that your staff are always alert.

Electrical Faults or Power Failure

In the event of major electrical faults, the problem must be reported to the Centre Management Office so that the Operations Manager can check the cause. Please familiarise yourself with your stores Emergency Response Plan/Risk Management on the correct steps to take in the event of an electrical fault. In the event of a Power Failure: close the store, cease sales.

Suspicious Package

If you discover a suspicious package within your store or the centre, contact Security 0438 387 822 immediately and inform them of the location. Do not touch or attempt to move the package.

Bomb Threat (Telephone)

In the case of a retailer receiving a bomb threat via telephone it is important to take particular notes such as: time of the call, any distinguishing traits of the accent or otherwise of the caller and duration of the call. You should write down as much of the conversation as you can remember. This will assist in the event that there is a real threat within the Centre. Contact Centre Security immediately using another means (if possible) such as another Staffs mobile and report all of the details. If possible, do not hang up and keep the line open until the Police arrive.

  • Try to remain calm, don’t say anything that could encourage irrational behaviour.

  • Keep the caller talking (do not hang up) this may assist in tracing the call.

  • If possible attract someone's attention, request they notify Security 0438 387 822 and Centre Management immediately 9838 7822.

  • Note as many details as possible including: exact wording of the threat, background noises, (characteristics of caller's voice (gender, accent, delivery, speech defects, manner, estimate of age)

  • Ask for the location of the device, no matter how general and ask for the time of detonation.

  • When the call has ended, secure the phone to prevent any call being made on it.

Bomb Threat (Written)

Try to remain calm.

  • Minimise the handling of the envelope and document containing the threat. If possible place the documents into plastic pockets or bags to preserve the evidence.

  • If by email, do not delete.

  • Notify Security and Centre Management immediately 9838 7822.