Basement Carpark

Entry height limit - 2.3 metres

Speed Limit - Slow!

Basement Lighting

  • The basement lighting system is equipped with motion sensors that activate the lights whenever someone enters or drives into the area. Additionally, there are sensors located outside each lift that trigger the lights upon detecting movement. The lights will remain illuminated for approximately 15 minutes. If no further movement is detected during that time, all lights on that basement level will automatically turn off.

  • Emergency lighting is installed throughout both basements. Every other overhead batten light features a backup NiCad battery. In the event of a power outage, these lights will remain illuminated for around 90 minutes. Once this time period has elapsed, the basement areas will be left in complete darkness.

Basement 240v Powerpoints

 

We currently have two conveniently located 240V power points in the basement, situated next to the lifts on each level. These shared power points are available for all residents, but please refrain from using them for long-term connections of appliances or vehicles.

Additionally, we plan to install more power points in the basement for resident use as soon as funding allows.

 

Basement Ventilation System

 

The basement features a comprehensive ducted ventilation system designed to maintain a safe environment by effectively regulating carbon monoxide (CO) levels.

  • This system utilizes silver ductwork, strategically placed along the outer walls of both levels of the basement.

  • Mounted on concrete pillars, sensors continuously track the CO concentration in the air.

  • Should CO levels rise beyond acceptable limits, the system automatically activates exhaust fans to ventilate the area.

  • Regular maintenance is performed on both the sensors and fans to ensure optimal performance.

CO Sensor attached to basement pillar

During a basement fire, the system automatically activates the fans to extract smoke.

Basement Fire Sprinkler System

The basement carparks are fitted with a fire sprinkler system designed to automatically control or extinguish a fire before it spreads. This system provides a vital layer of protection for residents, vehicles, and the building.

  • How it works:
    The red pipe network you see in the basement carries water under pressure. Each sprinkler head contains a small heat-sensitive element. If a fire occurs and the temperature rises, this element breaks and releases water directly onto the fire below. Only the sprinklers in the immediate area of the fire activate — not the entire system.

  • System monitoring:
    The fire sprinkler system is connected to the building’s fire alarm panel and is monitored 24/7 by the Queensland Fire Department. If a sprinkler activates or there’s a fault in the system, the Fire Department is automatically alerted.

  • Maintenance and safety:
    The system is routinely inspected and tested to ensure it operates correctly in an emergency.
    Please do not hang items from, paint, or tamper with any part of the red pipework or sprinkler heads. This could affect the system’s performance and pose a safety risk.

Basement Smoke Alarms

The basement is equipped with smoke alarms just like the ones in your unit. However, there’s a significant distinction: the basement smoke alarms are connected to and monitored by the Queensland Fire Department. If an alarm goes off—even if it’s a false alarm—the Department is legally obligated to respond. While the first false alarm incurs no charge, any second or subsequent unwanted response within a continuous 60-day period will result in a fee of $1,505.60 (including GST).

Fire Hoses & Fire Extinguishers

Each basement level is equipped with two fire hoses and fire extinguishers, located next to one of the two fire exits. The fire hoses are pressurized through our fire pumpset, which is located in the pumproom near the car park entrance. IMPORTANT: If the hoses are activated with any level of pressure, the diesel fire pump will automatically engage. To deactivate it, access to the pumproom will be necessary.

Click here - How To Use a Fire Extinguisher or Fire Hose

Sliding Fire Door

The carpark fire door is the large steel sliding door next to the sliding vehicle gate. You will see it on your right as you enter the basement and approach the sliding gate.

The heavy steel fire door at the entrance to our basement carpark serves several important safety purposes:

  1. Fire and Smoke Containment –
    The carpark is considered a higher-risk area (because of vehicles, fuel, oils, electrical equipment). This fire door stops smoke and flames from spreading quickly into the rest of the building, giving occupants more time to evacuate safely.

  2. Protection of Exit Paths –
    The Fire door helps maintain a safe escape route. It ensures that fire and smoke don’t compromise the areas residents would use to get out of the building.

  3. Compliance with Building Codes –
    In Australia, the National Construction Code (NCC) requires fire-rated separation between different parts of the building (for example, between carparks and residential area). This door is part of that fire-resisting barrier system.

  4. Maintaining Compartmentation –
    Our building is designed in "compartments" so that a fire in one area is restricted to that space for a set period (approx. 2 hours). The door ensures that the basement carpark is kept as its own compartment.

  5. Automatic Closing in an Emergency –
    Our fire door is fitted with a hold-open device that release when the fire alarm activates. This way, the doors shut automatically, sealing off the danger zone without relying on people to close them.

 

IMPORTANT: When entering or exiting basement, please ensure you wait until the gate closes before leaving. This ensures security is maintained and unwelcomed visitors do not enter.