Fire safety

The apartment building you live in is large. Although we hope it will never happen, it is important to know what you need to do in case of an emergency, such as a fire. The buildings have been designed and constructed to ensure a quick safe exit a fire can and the turn the corridors into a labyrinth. To make sure that we meet the most recent fire requirements issued by the government and insurance companies, we work closely with the fire department. For the tenants, there are two things that are essential in case of a fire; early detection of a fire and cleared escape routes. These are aspects that you can control and for which you have a degree of responsibility.

Keep escape routes free of obstacles
Corridors and stairs that lead from your room outside are escape routes. If the corridors are free of obstacles, there is enough time for you and your fellow tenants to leave the building before the fire gets out of control. You may think that these measures are extreme and that you can easily walk around that bike and those two crates of beer in the hallway, but don't fool yourself. It's just not true. If the hallway is filled with people and smoke, it is hard to find your way to safety and to see and avoid such objects. If you trip, the person behind you will also trip, etc. In case of a fire, a bike or a crate of beer could mean your death. In order to ensure that this does not happen, Idealis will actively check the escape routes to make sure they are free of obstacles. Starting next month, the caretaker will come by on a regular basis to inspect the escape routes.

Removed items
The caretaker will remove and temporarily store all obstacles that can prevent a safe and speedy escape. The owners of the items removed can retrieve them from the caretaker for a small fee: €10 for a bike and €5 for all other items. Items that are not retrieved will be disposed of after three months.

Bare escape routes?
No, escape routes do not have to be bare. You can hang posters on the walls and a clothesline, if you like. It is important that the clothesline, which may only be placed on one side of the corridor, is no wider than 15 cm. Alcoves in the hallway are not part of an escape route and therefore, items may be placed here.

Smoke detectors and other measures
Smoke detectors are not required by law. People must take these measures themselves. Idealis placed smoke detectors to encourage fire prevention. This is in your best interest! Other measures to improve fire safety are included in the enclosure.

In conclusion
It would be a good idea if you and your fellow tenants would check the safety of your corridor and think of ways to prevent fire in your building. Fire can be life threatening if the proper measures are not taken or procedures followed. If you have any questions, ideas or tips, do not hesitate to let us know. You can mail them to algemeen@idealis.nl or tell your caretaker.

How can you prevent a fire...

...in the home?
  • Burning candles are cozy, but make sure that they are placed on a stable underground and are not near combustible materials. Extinguish the candles when you leave the room.
  • Turn the TV completely off when you are not watching it; do not leave it on stand-by.
  • Do not smoke in bed or put out cigarettes and cigars in the trashcan.
  • Is there a fire extinguisher close by? Make sure you know how it works. If there's a fire, there will be no time to read the instructions.
...in the kitchen?
  • Never use water to extinguish an oil fire. Use a lid to cover an oil fire in a frying pan and leave it on until the fire is out. An oil fire can occur in a deep-fry pan or electrical cooking plate.
  • Be careful when using cleaning products; they can be combustible. If they come in contact with a cigarette or pilot light, a fire could easily be triggered.
  • Regularly clean the filter of the cooker head.
...doing odd jobs?
Combustible materials, fire and electrical appliances are often used while doing odd jobs. A fire can be easily triggered in such a case. Be careful of circumstances that could cause a fire:
  • Do not use sprays near a burner or a pilot light.
  • Be careful of open flames when painting. Paint strips are highly combustible. If they touch curtains or carpeting, a fire could occur.
  • Make sure that there is enough fresh air when you are painting. Paint is highly combustible. A cigarette or pilot light from the gas furnace could cause a huge fire.
    • Never use a rolled up cable reel, the heat cannot be released and could short circuit.
Instructions in case of a fire
If it's a small fire, try to extinguish it yourself. If a small fire is discovered in time, it can be put out easily. Therefore, every corridor with more than five rooms has a fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher is sealed and provided with a lock pin.

How does the fire extinguisher work?
  • Remove the lock pin.
  • Aim the sprayer.
  • Squeeze the trigger. Be careful! The fire extinguisher is not capable of putting out a large fire!


    • In case of a bigger fire:
  • Stay calm.
  • Make sure the fire cannot spread. Close all doors and windows and turn off the gas.
  • Immediately call 112 and alert your fellow tenants.
  • Leave the building using the escape routes.
  • Never use the elevator during a fire.
  • Once you have left the building, call Idealis at (0317) 42 61 61 to inform them about the fire. If it is outside of office hours, you can call the fault clearing service at (0317) 41 36 43.
    • Report every fire
    If you used the fire extinguisher for whatever reason, please inform your caretaker about this as soon as possible, preferable the first possible working day. Idealis will have the fire extinguisher refilled at no charge to the corridor. It is obviously not permitted to use the fire extinguisher for practical jokes. If tenants misuse the fire extinguisher, they will have to pay for the refilling of the extinguisher themselves.

    Extinguisher check
    Idealis regularly checks to make sure the lock pin of the extinguisher is still in place. If we determine that the lock pin is missing and there is foam residue in the hose and a fire has not been reported, the corridor will be held responsible for misusing the extinguisher. Therefore, be careful and only use the fire extinguisher in case of an emergency.

    Safety
    All buildings of Idealis have rules on the prevention of fire and other calamities. These rules are laid down in the General Terms of Tenancy and are further explained in the Rules and Regulations for Idealis tenants. It is important for tenants to be acquainted with the safety rules. In particular, the instructions on safety in and around the buildings should be read carefully. In case of fire or other calamities, carrying out the instructions might prove to be a matter of life and death for you and your fellow tenants.

    © June 2009