My name is Emily, I am a student in my final year at Latrobe. I currently live on Latrobe’s campus next to NASA (North and South apartments), I had experience living here as well in the academic year 2022 /23 so I am well aware of how this issue affects students.

 

The fire alarm system in NASA is far too sensitive, this results is the alarm setting off frequently. As many as three to four times in a day sometimes. This occurred the morning of 29/3 with three alarms within ONE hour. This is not a single occurrence unfortunately. It is believed that the rangehoods in the communal kitchens and apartments are not cleaned frequently enough. The trapped grease and debris smokes and sets off the alarm. This issue however, has yet to be addressed by Unilodge who are now charging $295 a week for the cheapest apartments in the building despite these issues. 

 

In 2019, a popular CBD restaurant known as crazy wings went up in flames. This was due to a build up grease and other debris in their exhaust flue. The exact same thing that is causing the alarms to trigger so frequently in NASA. There’s no reason to say it wouldn’t happen here.

 

This petition aims to address this by demanding Unilodge replace the range hoods in all cooking areas with ones suited for commercial use. Ones that can actually handle the volume of students using them.

 

We also aim to ensure the range hood exhausts are properly maintained and cleaned. These steps will reduce risk and the frequency of false alarms. 

 

We want to campaign for such improvements as the current complacency with the alarms in conjunction with a massive fire risk is too dangerous to ignore. Something needs to be done. 

 

I have also outlined the main issues to why I believe this should be addressed here: 

 

Time wastage:

Due to the frequent nature of these alarms, the time of the fire service and on campus security is wasted attending these false alarms. This takes time away from a potential real emergency elsewhere. Security members can attest to these buildings being a major problem. Residents of course can too. 

 

Complacency:

The frequency of the alarms has left many people complacent. People remain in their rooms and will not evacuate the building as they will always assume its a false alarm. If there is a real emergency this could be catastrophic and potentially life threatening. Unilodge and the university should have a responsibility to address this as soon as possible. It is not up for debate if they care at all for any of their students. 

 

 

 

Disruption and Noise:

The constant false alarms often awaken people in the wee hours of the morning and they happen too often. The alarms also don't just disturb people in NASA, the alarms can be heard from rooms in Glenn and Menzies College as well. 

 

For people with autism and other disabilities and it is particularly noticeable. 

 

It also disturbs people taking online tests with time limits who may not be able to get a chance to retake such exams. I realise the alarms have to be loud to do their job but they should not be as sensitive as they are currently. 

 

Fines and Call-out fees: 

It is known by the security team at Latrobe that between $650,000 -$800,000 was spent on callout fees last year alone. This is a horrendous waste of money especially in the current climate. I also would not be surprised if this is contributing to increased rent rates every year from unilodge.

 

I'm not sure what can be done, but I do feel that this issue has been going on for too long not to be addressed in some way (2-3 years at least now). It is a massive drain on money, time and could cause a genuine emergency if it is not addressed in some shape or form. 

 

Thank you for the consideration. Please consider adding your signature if you believe something should be done to address this problem.