Fire safety and rescue plans
In case of an emergency
In an emergency, call 112.
Emergency situations come as a surprise, and it is always best to be prepared and practice for emergencies beforehand. Get to know at least the safety plan of your own property, test regularly that your fire alarm works, and keep first aid firefighting equipment close by.
Good information about emergencies and how to prepare for them can be found at Rescue Services’ website.
Rescue plans and shelters
The rescue plan details how you should act in various dangerous or threatening situations. The rescue plan is always specific to a property and considers features of the property. Each property has its own rescue plan. You can also find the location and type of civil defense shelters on the rescue plan.
Your property’s rescue plan is in MyHoas under property details.
Fire alarm
According to the law there must be a fire alarm in every apartment. Hoas apartment can have a centralized fire alarm system, fire alarms connected to the mains, or traditional battery-operating fire alarm. If there is no fire alarm in your apartment, you need to purchase and install one. You can find information about the type of fire alarm at your apartment in MyHoas.
It is tenant’s responsibility to ensure that the fire alarm works, despite the type of the alarm. Recommendation is that the fire alarm should be tested once a month. Testing the fire alarm is easy: press the test-button on the alarm and if the fire alarm works correctly, you should hear a loud alarm sound.
Centralized fire alarm system
Our newest or recently renovated buildings have a centralized fire alarm system. Hoas takes care of the maintenance of the fire alarm system, and tenant doesn’t need to purchase a separate fire alarm.
In centralized fire alarm system, the alarm goes directly to the emergency response center or Securitas, depending on the property. The rescue services or Securitas always come to check the situation. The alarm will sound until rescue services or Securitas cancels it.
Hoas maintains the fire alarm system. If there is a fault, fill a fault report or, outside our opening hours, contact our 24/7 maintenance services. Don’t tear the fire alarm off by yourself or damage it in any other way if it alarms.
If you repeatedly cause false fire alarms with your actions, you will be charged for the visits.
Fire alarms connected to the mains
Fire alarm that is connected to them mains alarms only in the apartment. The information of the alarm doesn’t get automatically forwarded anywhere. Fire alarm has also an battery to make sure that the fire alarm connected to the mains work even in case of a power failure. This battery may run out and cause a beeping sound from the alarm.
Hoas maintains fire alarms connected to the mains. If there is a fault in the alarm, fill a fault report. Don’t remove the alarm by yourself or damage it in any other way if it alarms.
Battery-operated fire alarm
Battery-operated fire alarm is the traditional type of fire alarm. Installing and maintaining the battery-operated fire alarm is on tenant’s responsibility.
How to place a fire alarm
- If the size of the apartment is less than 60 square meters, one fire alarm is sufficient. If the size of the apartment is more than 60 square meters, there needs to be two fire alarms in the apartment.
- If the apartment is on more than one level, each level needs their own fire alarm.
- Place the fire alarm in the middle of the ceiling in the highest point. Make sure that distance from the nearest wall is at least half a meter.
- Make sure that there are no air conditioning vents or ventilation windows near the fire alarm.
Remember also to
- Check that the fire alarm works at least once a month.
- Change the batteries once a year.
- If the fire alarm is beeping regularly, it means that the battery has ran out. Change the batteries and check that it works when you place it on the ceiling again.
Evacuation safety – keep escape routes clear of objects!
The Rescue Act prohibits storing any items in the passageways. You shouldn’t store items in stairways, basement, or attic passageways so that in case of an emergency the escape route is clear and rescue service can get inside the building.
Instead of the corridors, use the storage spaces of the property to store your bikes and prams.
Let us know if there are any unnecessary items stored in the stairways or common areas of the building. Maintenance can remove the items found in inappropriate spaces without a separate warning.