Fire and emergency evacuation

Being prepared and taking simple precautions at home can help keep you and your household safe from fire.

If you live in a unit complex, you should attend our annual fire evacuation drills to learn how to evacuate safely.

Safety tips for your home

• Create a fire escape plan.
• Read about fire safety at home.
• Check your smoke alarms regularly; follow the instructions on your smoke alarm sticker (usually on the inside of your linen cupboard door).

What to do in a fire

• Leave immediately using the nearest safe exit.
• Do not use lifts.
• Stay low to avoid smoke.
• Call Triple Zero (000).
• Only attempt to extinguish a fire if it is safe to do so.
• Do not re-enter the building until it is declared safe.
• Keep exits and walkways clear in your home so you can get out quickly in an emergency.

Fire plans for units

Fire evacuation plans have been installed in common areas of unit complexes to help you evacuate the building safely and quickly.

Take the time to look at these plans and remember the possible escape routes you can take in an evacuation.

If the signs are damaged or missing, please contact us to request maintenance.

Read more about property maintenance.

Evacuation drills in unit complexes

Under the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008, occupants of some unit complexes must receive instructions on what to do in a fire or other emergency.

We conduct these drills each year for public housing unit complexes, which helps you, your household and your visitors understand how to evacuate the unit complex safely in a fire or other emergency.

Who runs the drills

We engage qualified contractors to run your fire drill.

They also check that all required firefighting equipment at your complex is installed and tested to meet relevant building requirements and standards.

The contractor can’t pass on any maintenance requests you may have—contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to raise any maintenance requests.

When and where the drill occurs

An evacuation drill is held each year. The contractor advises you in writing of the scheduled date and time.

The drill takes about 30 minutes.

The drill training is conducted in a communal area of your complex. The contractor doesn’t enter your unit for the drill.

What you need to do

Before the drill, check the ‘fire evacuation diagram’ to find the ‘assembly point’. The diagram is usually on an external wall near the entry to your unit or along the way to your unit.

If you’re home at the time of the drill, you should meet the contractor at the assembly point at the scheduled time.

Follow any other instructions the contractor gives you.

If you or someone in your household needs help to evacuate, contact your Housing Service Centre to discuss your needs.

If you can’t attend

If you can’t attend the drill, the contractor will give you a copy of the fire evacuation diagram for your unit, placed under your front door or in your letterbox.