Anyone know about fire alarms?

Fassa Albrecht · #1 04-09-2008, 09:41 PM

Today the fire alarm went off in my block of flats and rather worryingly, I couldn't hear it AT ALL. It was only someone banging on the door which let me know what was happening.

Now I'm worried in case one time there's a real fire and I end up trapped because I can't get out.

I can't do anything to the alarm itself because it's a mains unit controlled by a keypad downstairs in the lobby.

Anyone know what I should do? I'm scared.....

Fassa Albrecht · #2 04-10-2008, 12:08 AM

Anyone?

Happynoj · #3 04-10-2008, 06:43 AM

I overheard my building's handyman explaining the alarm system in out building the other day.

Apparently, if the smoke detectors are set off, they only set off the alarms on the floor that they were triggered on. If smoke is then detected anywhere else in the building (stairwells, other floors etc) then the full building alarm goes off.

If your alarm system is like this, then I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe go and talk to whoever runs your building about it, just to check anyway?

i_got_a_mohawk · #4 04-10-2008, 07:44 AM

Thought it was only the low end you were missing out on?

+1 on what Happynoj said, ask who ever is in charge of the building and find out.

FL Knifemaker · #5 04-10-2008, 08:10 AM

Get your own smoke detector, one for each room. If you live above the 1st floor, buy some climbing rope and a rappelling caribiner. Nothing would suck worse than burning alive or having to jump to your death!!! It's best to take your emergency evacuation plan into your own hands. When our group of knife NUTS goes to Vegas or other trade shows where we stay in big hotels, SOMEONE brings the rope and we all have caribiners!!! I don't wanna die in some high rise fire

RWP · #6 04-10-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Get your own smoke detector, one for each room. If you live above the 1st floor, buy some climbing rope and a rappelling caribiner. Nothing would suck worse than burning alive or having to jump to your death!!! It's best to take your emergency evacuation plan into your own hands. When our group of knife NUTS goes to Vegas or other trade shows where we stay in big hotels, SOMEONE brings the rope and we all have caribiners!!! I don't wanna die in some high rise fire

Wow, all I bring is duct tape.

theshadow2001 · #7 04-10-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Get your own smoke detector, one for each room. If you live above the 1st floor, buy some climbing rope and a rappelling caribiner. Nothing would suck worse than burning alive or having to jump to your death!!! It's best to take your emergency evacuation plan into your own hands. When our group of knife NUTS goes to Vegas or other trade shows where we stay in big hotels, SOMEONE brings the rope and we all have caribiners!!! I don't wanna die in some high rise fire

Sounds to me you guys are doing something in vegas that might call for a speedy escape plan. Do you also bring passports wigs sunglasses and a $1000 in cash as well

i_got_a_mohawk · #8 04-10-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

Sounds to me you guys are doing something in vegas that might call for a speedy escape plan. Do you also bring passports wigs sunglasses and a $1000 in cash as well

"knives" indeed . . .

thats the street term for crack these days isnt it!

*smb · #9 04-10-2008, 08:53 AM

Is it that you just can't hear it, or is it not very audible in your flat? If the latter, complain to the management and have them put a bell near you. If the former, you can get lights that flash when there's loud noise. Maybe look into that.

disenchant · #10 04-10-2008, 08:54 AM

Get some smoke detectors, a C02 detector and a window latter and quit worrying. It's bad for your complexion.

Baryonyx · #11 04-10-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Anyone know what I should do? I'm scared.....

Get a hearing aid?

TrooperFarva · #12 04-10-2008, 09:57 AM

I'd speak to the building super, in this day and age, they're probably required to provide equipment for the disabled, in this case, your hearing problem.

FL Knifemaker · #13 04-10-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

Sounds to me you guys are doing something in vegas that might call for a speedy escape plan. Do you also bring passports wigs sunglasses and a $1000 in cash as well

When one of you is 12 stories up, fire nipping at your ARSE, waiting for the firemen to show up............You will remember what FL Knifemaker said

A coil of Kevlar climbing rope cost about $125 and weighs about 5 lbs, caribiners cost between free and $200, gloves costa bout 5 bucks. Don't stay in a highrise without them

Fassa Albrecht · #14 04-10-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Get a hearing aid?

A hearing aid isn't going to be much use if I'm asleep, or drummiing.

That and I'd forget to wear it....

Quote:

Originally Posted by *smb

Is it that you just can't hear it, or is it not very audible in your flat? If the latter, complain to the management and have them put a bell near you. If the former, you can get lights that flash when there's loud noise. Maybe look into that.

I can't hear it at all unless I'm within a few feet of the siren. It's loud enough (I think!) and everyone else can hear it...

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

When one of you is 12 stories up, fire nipping at your ARSE, waiting for the firemen to show up............You will remember what FL Knifemaker said

A coil of Kevlar climbing rope cost about $125 and weighs about 5 lbs, caribiners cost between free and $200, gloves costa bout 5 bucks. Don't stay in a highrise without them

I like this idea- I have climbing experience and I only live on the second floor.

i_got_a_mohawk · #15 04-10-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

A hearing aid isn't going to be much use if I'm asleep, or drummiing.

That and I'd forget to wear it....

I can't hear it at all unless I'm within a few feet of the siren. It's loud enough (I think!) and everyone else can hear it...

Loud noises tend to wake people up, pretty sure a hearing aid would do that. And if your drumming surely you'd hear the alarm over the kit, either that or you are playing too quickly and loudly (and must be a PITA neighbour

)

Fassa Albrecht · #16 04-10-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Loud noises tend to wake people up, pretty sure a hearing aid would do that. And if your drumming surely you'd hear the alarm over the kit, either that or you are playing too quickly and loudly (and must be a PITA neighbour

)

Like I said, I'd probably forget to wear the thing and end up getting fried.

As for my drumming, I really detest my neighbours so it's revenge for all the crap they give me.

i_got_a_mohawk · #17 04-10-2008, 05:23 PM

Could just call it fate, gods will or survival of the fittest (or revenge from your neighbours).

I'd go with getting a flashing light which goes off when the alarms go off, either that or some elaborate wallace and gromit style contraption.

And you detest all your neighbours? the ones on all sides, across the hall, above and below?

TheDarkReaver · #18 04-10-2008, 05:28 PM

i'd say talk to the building manager about the system and suss out what the problem is there.

council block or privatly owned?

Fassa Albrecht · #19 04-10-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

i'd say talk to the building manager about the system and suss out what the problem is there.

council block or privatly owned?

Privately owned by a landlord.

JNowiski · #20 04-10-2008, 05:32 PM

so the whole apartment complex orwhatever is wired together right? see if they'll install a strobe or something in your's, they should if they know you're hearing is bad. you might have to actually get a hearing test and show them the results if they're going to do it, because alot of people would probably ask for something like that.