Fire Safety

Fire Safety is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Campus's Building Fire Control Systems. This includes the training of staff & students on fire evacuation, safety, maintenance, repair and testing of fire detection and fighting equipment. Fire safety is also responsible for the provision of advice on the Building Code of Australia and carrying out building inspections.

You should be aware of work carried out by the Fire Safety staff which includes:

  • Fire alarm testing
  • Evacuation drills
  • Knowing who is your building or fire warden
  • Conduct fire training seminars

If you see or smell smoke or fire then you must activate the local break glass and notify those around you to evacuate the building, as per the training program.

Fire Control Structure

Chief Warden - White Vest

Reports to the “main emergency control point”

Assumes overall control of the situation (prior to the Fire Brigades’ arrival)

Liaises with:

  • Building Wardens
  • Emergency Services
Deputy Chief Warden - White Vest

Assists the Chief Warden

Assumes the Chief Wardens role in the absence of the Chief Warden

Building Wardens (responsible to the Chief Warden) - Red Vest

Supervises the evacuation of the building or area of jurisdiction

Bases themselves near the Fire Panel & liaise with both the Chief Warden & Emergency Services

Ensures Floor Wardens are:

  • Evacuating correctly
  • Closing doors to contain fire
  • Using correct extinguishing equipment (only if safe to do so)
Floor Wardens (responsible to Building Warden) - Yellow Vest

Evacuates immediate area and ensures an orderly evacuation

Ensures persons do not re-enter the building until advised to do so by the emergency services in charge

Contains fire (where possible)

Directs evacuees not to use lifts / elevators

Leads evacuees out through fire exits

Conducts a thorough search for stragglers

Reports to the Building Warden

Communicates instructions from Building Warden to the evacuees

Conducts a roll call

Reports any missing persons to the Building Warden / Chief Warden

Evacuations - Drills & Training

Evacuation Drills

Each year emergency evacuation drills are carried out in UNE buildings. Evacuation drills are a legislative requirement and must meet certain standards to pass. Drills are coordinated by UNE SAFE & involve the relevant building wardens.

The coordinator of the drill is to complete the WHS F030 Evacuation Drill Record Form after the drill & then save this document in the TRIM records management system as an official record & confirmation the evacuation drill took place.

Further details about Warden Training can be found on the Emergency Management and Business Continuity web page.

If you are involved in an evacuation drill, you are to exit the building when you hear the Fire Alarm sound. You are to make your way out of the building & head towards the buildings Emergency Assembly Area. You are to remain at the assembly point & are not allowed to leave or re-enter the building until advised to do so by the Drill Coordinator or building warden.

Evacuation Diagrams

Firefighting equipment is shown on emergency evacuation diagrams in all buildings. These diagrams also show evacuation paths and assembly areas. If your building does not have this evacuation diagram displayed in a prominent location where there is entry & egress from the building please phone 6773 2065 or email  the Estate & Built Environment (EBE) Help desk maintenance@une.edu.au to report it. Alternatively if you or someone in your building has access to the ARCHIBUS portal you can report the issue online via the web portal.

Fire Warden Training

There are two training components in becoming a building warden. Part A training is delivered on-line via Skytrust. Once completed the Part B training, which is the practical component, can then be undertaken. The Part B training is organised by the UNE Emergency Management Coordinator. Further details about both the Part A training can be found on the WHS Resources & Training web page.

Fire Evacuation Drill Wardens:

Defibrillator Locations

To find out where UNE’s defibrillators are located simple click on Defibrillator Locations & it will take you to the UNE map. From here click the AED – DEFIBRILLATOR check box located in the top left side of the screen. A green square icon with the letters “AED” will display over each building that has a defibrillator & the position where the unit is located. Simply scroll around to find a unit nearest you.

Emergency Evacuations

In an emergency, call ‘000’ then UNE Safety & Security on 6773 2099 (24 hrs)

Staff in charge of a class are responsible for the evacuation and safety of that class, including awareness of PEEP’s

  • PEEPS’s (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans) are individualised emergency plans designed for mobility impaired people who may require assistance during an emergency.

Further information is located on the Emergency Management page

Upon hearing an alarm or seeing danger and you need to evacuate:

  • Cease activities, and only if safe to do so, shut down experiments, equipment and machinery.
  • Evacuate the building/area using the nearest safe exit.
  • Do not use the lifts and all doors should be closed (but not locked) on leaving.
  • Move to the closest, safe assembly area or as directed by staff/emergency services.
  • Remain at the assembly area until instructed to leave by a Warden or emergency services personnel.
  • If the assembly area becomes unsafe you will be instructed by Wardens to move to an alternative safe assembly area.
  • Do not re-enter the building until informed that it is safe to do so by a Warden or emergency services personnel.
  • Never enter a building during an alarm.
  • Take a moment now to look for your nearest exit and alternative exit.