Loud noise can be one of the more irritating and frustrating aspects of inner-city apartment living.  Residents are asked to be mindful at all times of the level of noise that they are creating, especially at night.  Doors or gates slamming, loud sound systems and televisions, people chatting on balconies and musical instruments can all create noise that affects our neighbours.

A good initial approach to resolving a noise dispute is to try to talk to your neighbour first.

Unreasonable noise in the neighbourhood such as continuous household or car alarms, loud motorbikes, uncontrolled parties, or excessively loud music can be reported to the Redfern Police (Tel 8303 5199).

If there is a frequent noise problem from a neighbour, please notify the Building Manager  in writing and ask anyone else also affected to confirm your statement.  The Building Manager will then attempt to resolve the noise issue by speaking with the resident.  If these steps are unsuccessful, then a formal warning can be issued in the form of a Notice to Comply which, if ignored, may lead to penalties, such as heavy fines, for breaking the by-law.

Living in a densely populated area, there is the potential to suffer from theft and antisocial behaviour.  It is up to all of us as a community to be ever vigilant in keeping our personal property, friends and loved ones safe.

A continuous CCTV surveillance system has been installed throughout Mondrian Waterloo to help manage the security of the building entries, external walkways and other vulnerable areas.  Security fobs are provided to owners to restrict access to the buildings as an additional security measure.

The cooperation of all residents is critical to safeguarding their own safety and that of others:

• Assist by always ensuring that building and courtyard entry and fire stair doors are properly closed and locking mechanisms are fully engaged when entering and leaving.
• Do not allow non-residents to follow you into the building or courtyard and never allow access via your intercom to anyone other than your own visitors.
• Be alert when walking through outdoor walkways at dusk, at night and in other darker areas.
• Report any breaches of security or suspicious behaviour to the police and the Building Manager.

The Owners Corporation recommends that you install lockable bolts on sliding doors and windows. However, fire regulations prohibit any changes being made to the locks on the main exit door of an apartment. Locks on these doors must be capable of being opened from the inside without a key in an emergency.

Security Screens

Security Screens can be a wise and practical security addition to any property. If you are interested in installing security screens to your apartment, please note that they must be approved by the Owners Corporation before installation.

An application form is available to guide owners in making a written application.  Please also refer to the by-laws for more specific details on the security screens which are permitted.

Insurance

The Owners’ Corporation insures the common property of Mondrian Waterloo.  It does not carry insurance for the personal property of owners or residents.  Owners and residents are advised to take out suitable insurance to cover themselves in the event of theft from their apartments or car spaces.  Insurance should also be maintained by individual residents for damage to the interior of apartments and their contents in the event of a fire or flood.

Proximity System

Mondrian Waterloo has a proximity access system installed to make the buildings secure. Your security fob will give you access to both the lobby and floor of your building, as well as the lobby of Building 4 to access the Visitor Parking area.  The security fob also provides access to the swimming pool and the basement car park, where the garbage room is located.

For cars, the only entry and exit point is on Powell Street adjacent to the Taylor’s College building.  A proximity access reader is located on the right-hand side as you entre and leave the car park.  Buildings 2, 3 and 4 are directly accessible by elevators from the car park, while Building 1 is accessible via the fire stairs.

To maintain the security of the buildings, you will be required to confirm your possession of all security fobs via an annual audit.

Security fobs

New or replacement security fobs can only be issued to owners or their agents, and not directly to tenants.  A completed application form for a new or replacement security fob must be emailed or faxed to the Strata Manager.

The current cost of replacement or additional fobs is included on the application form and is payable before the new fob is issued.  Upon approval, the Building Manager will provide the security fob and will require identification at the time of collection.

Ensure you get back security fobs from tradesmen and other service providers, e.g. cleaners.

The security fobs are audited on an annual basis.  Any swipe cards or security fobs that are not identified at the annual audit will be deactivated upon completion of the audit.

Fire stairs

Residents may use the fire stairs to access the car park and garbage room as well as in an emergency.  Fire stair access to the ground floor from within the buildings is unrestricted for fire safety reasons.

From outside the buildings, access to the fire stairs can only be gained by keyed entry.  Access from the fire stairs to any particular level is also key controlled with keys only available to owners living on that level.  For security purposes, fire stairs keys will only be issued to owners (or their leasing agents) only and not to tenants.

A completed application form for a new fire stairs key must be emailed or faxed to the Strata Manager.

The current cost of a fire stairs key is included on the application form and is payable before the key is issued.  Upon approval, the Building Manager will provide the key and will require identification at the time of collection.

The three main causes of fire in apartment blocks usually relate to kitchen accidents (overheating cooking oils, fats, etc.), unattended candles and unextinguished cigarettes.

Residents should note that smoking in elevators and other common areas (including the swimming pool) is strictly prohibited.  Care should also be taken to ensure that lit cigarettes do not fall from balconies onto the apartments below.

There are also by-laws that prohibit the storage of flammable materials in apartments or in the car park.

A fire safety check is conducted each year.  Residents must grant access to the contractor to carry out this important procedure. Residents may be fined for not allowing access refer to by-law 30 for details. 

General procedure in case of fire

If there is a fire or you smell or see smoke – no matter how minor it may seem – proceed as follows:

• Call the Fire Brigade on 000 immediately.
• Give the street address (Mondrian apartments, 2-4 Powell Street Waterloo) as well as the building, floor and apartment number (if known).
• If possible, identify what is involved in the fire – for example, foodstuffs, furnishings, flammable liquid, electrical equipment.

Fire extinguishers and sprinklers

Water hose reels and extinguishers are located on all residential floors and in the car park.

Fire hoses may be used on fires that do not involve flammable liquids or electrical equipment.

It is recommended that a carbon dioxide or dry powder fire extinguisher be purchased for use on fires within apartments.  Fire in an oven can be extinguished by turning the oven off and leaving the oven door closed

Evacuation of a unit

Where fire is widespread and/or smoke is severe necessitating evacuation:

• Ensure all occupants evacuate the unit immediately.
• DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS.
• Use the fire stairs identified by the green ‘exit’ signs.
• If possible, close the doors and windows as you evacuate to eliminate draughts and to confine the fire and smoke to the original area. Do not lock the front door.
• If possible alert occupants in other units on the same and adjoining floors.
• Do not attempt to move your car from the car park as this could cause vehicle congestion and hamper fire fighting efforts.

Inability to leave a unit

Should fire or smoke from outside the unit prevent use of the hallway leading to the fire stairs:

• Before attempting to open the front door place the palm of your hand on the door.
• If after five seconds the door feels warm to the touch this indicates a serious fire condition in the hallway – do not open the door.
• Seal the bottom of the door and other places where smoke is entering with wet towels, blankets or similar materials.
• Open the window.
• See ‘General procedure in case of fire’ above

Smoke detectors

A self-contained, 240-volt mains powered smoke detector with back up battery is installed in every unit and will sound with an alarm when smoke is present. If your detector lets out an intermittent beep, please replace the 9 volt battery in the detector which should stop the noise. It is recommended, the 9-volt battery be replaced every 12 months. Do not cover or block the smoke detector in anyway. Please do not try to remove the detector as they are connected to the mains power and removing them will activate an alarm. Residents must ensure that smoke detectors are in working order at all times.

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