Basement Carpark

Entry height limit - 2.3 metres

Speed Limit - Slow!

Basement Lighting

  • The basement lighting is controlled by motion sensors located above each lift. The lights stay on for about 15 minutes. If no movement is detected near the lift, all lights on that basement level will automatically switch off. To reactivate the lights, simply walk toward the lift — they will turn on when your movement is detected.
  • Every second overhead light fitting is equipped with a backup NiCad battery, and are referred to as “emergency lighting.” In the event of a power outage, these lights will stay on for approximately 90 minutes. After that time, the basement areas will be in complete darkness.

Basement Ventilation System

The basement has a ducted ventilation system that keeps the air safe by controlling carbon monoxide (CO) levels.

  • You can see the silver ductwork installed along the outer walls of both basement levels.

  • Sensors mounted on the concrete pillars constantly monitor the amount of CO in the air.

  • If CO levels get too high, the system automatically switches on the exhaust fans to clear the air.

  • These sensors and fans are regularly serviced to ensure they work properly.

CO Sensor attached to basement pillar

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 fitted with smoke alarms similar to your unit. There is however, one big difference - Basement smoke alarms are connected and monitored by the Qld Fire Department. If an alarm is activated, and even a false alarm, they are required by law to attend. They do not charge for the first false alarm, however the 2nd and subsequent unwanted alarm response(s) within any continuous 60 day period will cost a fee of $1505.60 (inc. GST)

Fire Hoses & Fire Extinguishers

There are two fire hoses and fire extinguishers, one on each basement level. They are located next to one of the two fire exits. The fire hoses are pressurized through our fire pumpset, located in our pumproom (near carpark entrance). IMPORTANT - If the hoses are used with any degree of pressure, the diesel pump will automatically start up. To turn it off will require access to the pumproom.

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.