While the chances of a fire or other major emergency may seem remote, it is important to familiarize yourself ahead of time with what to do in case of an emergency.
The following of this handbook provide information on what to do in various emergency situations, including:
Take the time to learn the location of the emergency exits and stairwells.
If anyone living in your unit is unable to use the stairs or otherwise requires assistance leaving the building in the case of an emergency, please notify the Property Manager.
Fire emergencies occur at Somerset Gardens when the central alarm system detects smoke or fumes, or on occasion, when a short in the system causes a false alarm. In either case, the fire department immediately responds by sending fire trucks.
Mandatory testing of the fire alarms – not requiring evacuation – is done monthly and residents are warned by notices posted in the elevators and lobby.
Somerset Gardens units are constructed so that a fire will normally be contained within the unit for a minimum of 30 minutes. If you decide to escape (rather than retreat to your balcony) make sure that the door closes behind you and leave the door unlocked. The door closer is there for safety reasons. Do not allow it to be removed or disabled. Your front door should never be left propped open for any length of time. Please inform the Board if you will require assistance in the event of an emergency.
In the event of smoke in your unit, e.g. from burning toast, do not open you front door to ventilate as the escaping smoke could set off the central alarm system bringing the Fire Department here on a false alarm. For more information see “smoke detectors”.
Water leakage from a unit’s plumbing can be frustrating as well as devastating. It is important that residents take certain precautions, such as shutting off the water turn-off valves, particularly if the unit is to be left vacant for any length of time. Somerset Garden units have a main water supply valve in each unit. It is located below the sink in the bathroom. Ideally, if you are to be away for a extended period of time it would be a wise precaution to turn off valves.
It is important that you report any accidental overflow, such as the bathtub spilling over. By doing so, you will help locate the source of the water and determine if the flow is temporary or continuous.
In a multi-unit residential complex such as ours, a water leak originating in one unit can quickly spread and cause extensive damage to other units in the building. As well as the damage and disruption experienced by many people, depending on the cause and insurance situation, you may be held responsible for damage. As a result, it is important to guard against any possible water leak, and take prompt action if a leak should still occur.
In any situation where your personal safety is threatened, you should immediately call the normal emergency services 911 line.
In any other emergency situations or urgent maintenance issues concerning safety, security or property damage such as icy walkways, damages after break-ins, elevator problems or flooding, please contact the The Condominium Management Group after hours emergency contact number at 613-762-5704.