If there is evidence or suspicion of fire anywhere in the building, call the Fire Department (911), and notify Property Management of Andover immediately. Do not try to handle the situation alone.
IF YOUR UNIT IS ON FIRE
If the fire is in your unit, exit your unit if safe to do so, keep doors and windows closed to reduce the amount of oxygen feeding the fire. If you need to leave your unit, place your hand on the exit door first. If the door feels warm, do not attempt to open it as this indicates fire in the corridor. If the door is not warm, carefully open it a small amount to check for smoke in the corridor. If you feel the corridor can be used, close your unit door behind you so the fire or smoke will be contained inside your unit and will not spread to other areas. Holding a wet towel or cloth over your mouth and nose is a suggested protection when crossing smoke filled spaces. It is suggested that you leave your door unlocked, to permit quick access by the Fire Department. Once at a point of safety, call 911, pull the fire alarm, and notify Property Management of Andover.
PREPARE FOR FIRE
Familiarize yourself and your household with your evacuation route, the location of the stairways on your floor, and the location of fire extinguishers and pull stations. For additional tips, see https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/fief/apartment_fire_safety.pdf.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
It is recommended that you keep a fire extinguisher near an exit door inside your unit, to aid in extinguishing small fires. We suggest the all‐purpose dry‐chemical type of extinguisher that is both UL and FM approved, and weighs about two and one half pounds. To make sure that your extinguisher is in working condition, check the pressure read‐out gauge regularly and replace the unit immediately if the pressure is low. Additionally, all common area hallways have one fire extinguisher for use in emergencies.
SMOKE DETECTORS
The importance of having smoke detectors cannot be stressed enough. Further, Massachusetts law mandates that working smoke detectors (as well as Carbon Monoxide detectors) be installed in all units. Best practice would be to check that smoke detectors are functioning properly at least monthly. Batteries should be changed once a year, and smoke detectors must be replaced every 10 years. Detectors are labeled with their date of manufacture. If there is no label, they are older than 10 years and must be replaced. If at any time smoke detectors begin to chirp, this is a signal that the unit(s) need new batteries. Every effort must be made to ensure that the device(s) are returned to working order as soon as possible.
An inspection of each unit’s smoke detectors will be conducted on an annual basis. Owners will receive notice from the Board six weeks prior to scheduled inspections. If upon inspection a unit is found to not have working smoke detectors, the Unit Owner will have 48 hours to demonstrate compliance. If the issue is not resolved within 48 hours, the Unit Owner will be subject to a fine and billed for any costs associated with restoring the smoke detectors to working order. Please refer to the City of Lowell Smoke and CO Detector Guide for smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector requirements.
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
It is mandatory (per MA law) that each unit is equipped with proper carbon monoxide detectors and that they are checked each month. An inspection of each unit’s carbon monoxide detectors will be conducted on an annual basis. Owners will receive notice from the Board six weeks before inspections are scheduled to occur. If upon inspection a unit is found to not have working carbon monoxide detectors, the Unit Owner will have 48 hours to demonstrate compliance. If the issue is not resolved within 48 hours, the Unit Owner will be subject to a fine and billed for any costs associated with restoring the carbon monoxide detectors to working order. Please refer to the City of Lowell Smoke and CO Detector Guide for smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector requirements.
FIRE ALARMS
In case of a fire alarm, all occupants must immediately evacuate per order of the Lowell Fire Department. Residents failing to evacuate when the building fire alarm sounds may be fined by the Lowell Fire Department. Do not use the elevator in the event of a fire or fire alarm.
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