Safety, Security and Emegencies

Emergencies

In the event of a life‐threatening emergency, a crime, or suspicious activity, call “911”

Our resident’s safety and security are of utmost concern.  Living in a multiunit building intown presents additional awareness needs for residents.  While the Board of Directors and the HOA cannot anticipate all concerns that may arise into a safety concern, we as a collective can look out for each other by taking minimal precautions.  Everyone must be involved in our security.

If you see unlawful activity or anything that could pose a threat to persons or property, Call 911 first. If you are not sure if your situation is an emergency call 911 and let the 911 operator help you make that determination.

The following should be reported to 911:

• Any emergency

• Physical or mental health-related issues

• Criminal trespass

• Assaults or any other violence

• Suspicious people or packages

• Drug related calls

• Car accidents

• Stolen property, car break-ins, robberies, larcenies

• Unlawful or aggressive solicitation

• People unlawfully on your premises

• Noise violations

Fire Safety

• In the event of a fire, remain calm.

• In the event of a fire, call 911 

• Use the nearest and safe exit to leave the building.   Take your keys in the event that evacuation routes are blocked and you have to return to your unit.  

• On the way out of the building, activate the nearest pull station.  Fire alarms pull stations are located on each floor at each end of the hallway.  

• Fire extinguishers are located in the hallways and in the garage.  Familiarize yourself with the locations.

• Elevators should never be used in the event of a fire.  The elevator will be called to the lowest floor automatically when the alarm is sound.

• BE PREPARED TO KNOW THE EVACUATION ROUTES FROM THE BUILDING. Stairways are marked with exit signs, and each floor is marked.  

• Do not re‐enter the building until emergency services deems it safe.

• If all other measures fail and you are trapped, stay inside your unit. Close all doors between you and the fire, seal openings around doors with wet rags or other wet materials, and hang a white sheet out of the window.  

• If you are not mobile or need special assistance, please make the fire department aware before an emergency event.  Fire Station #1 is located one block from Deer Lofts.

• When you leave your unit and there is an actual fire, stay low to the ground and quickly exit the building.  

• Use a fire extinguisher if you are properly trained and it is possible to do so safely. Extinguishers discharge very quickly so aim well.

• If you become trapped, move near a window if possible and hang an item (towel, sheet, etc.) out the window to alert fire personnel of your location.  

  • Stay low, cover your mouth with a wet cloth. Cover cracks around doors with available items.

  • Fill the tub, buckets, showers etc. with water for firefighting. Wet the walls and doors if possible

Fire Alarms

• The building is equipped with a fire alarm system activated with red pull stations and smoke detectors in common areas.  When an alarm sounds, treat it as real and exit to the parking lot or the street.  Make sure you take your keys with you.

• When an alarm sounds, the elevator automatically descend to the first floor, open their doors and become inoperative.  Elevator keys are provided in the Fire Control Box for use by the Fire Department in operating elevators during an emergency.

• The Fire Department is automatically dispatched via a call monitoring service.  Per Fire Department regulations DO NOT SILENCE OR RESET THE ALARM.  Only the Fire Department is permitted to reset the alarm.  The panel will tell the Fire Department the zone of the alarm.  In the event of an actual fire it is critical they have this information.

Sprinkler system

• In the event of a fire, the building has a sprinkler system.  When activated, the system will flood hundred of gallons of water to suppress a fire.  

• In the event of an accidental discharge, the sprinklers can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage to the building and your home.  Contact the Property Management Company and a board member immediately for any discharge.  

• When the sprinkler system is activated, a water flow alarm will sound the audible alarm.  The fire department will be dispatched.

• Do not hang, wrap or hook anything to a sprinkler head or a sprinkler pipe.  Do not paint or splatter paint on a sprinkler head.  Homeowners are responsible to replace sprinkler heads when the sprinkler head is painted.

Smoke Alarms

• Each unit should install a minimum of one smoke detector and change batteries/test according to manufacturer instructions.  The First Alert Company, a well known smoke detector manufacturer, has these instructions to test, clean and maintain your smoke alarm.  

• The local fire station can also be of service.  Ladders are available to install alarms as per manufacturer instructions. 

Evacuation

• Familiarize yourself with all of the exits and stairwells and be mindful that the best evacuation method may not be the same in all situations. It is important to know an alternative if an exit or stairwell is blocked. It is important for you and your family to plan for multiple scenarios.  

• There are two staircases at each end of the hallway.  The hallway by the trash chute empties out in the garage.  The other staircase empties into the lobby and the residential first floor.  

• Do not use the elevator in the event of an evacuation. 

• Only take with you items that do not impede a safe evacuation.

Building Access

• • Deer Lofts exclusively use key FOB access devices. The building does not utilize “door codes”.   If you need additional FOBs, you can purchase them from the Property Management Company.  Submit your request through the Dashboard. Fobs are required to gain access at the following locations:

    • The front door at sidewalk

    • The glass doors in lobby

    • The pedestrian entrance to the garage

    • The garage entrance to the 1st floor elevator lobby

    • The garage entrance to the staircase by the trash room

    • The gym on the second floor

    • The deck access on the 5th floor

  • Gate remotes can be purchased from the Property Management Company 

  • Garage remotes are available only to those with a garage space.  You will need to purchase your own remote.  The gate and garage door are not interfaced with the call box. A board member can program your remote.  DO NOT do this yourself.  

  • Amazon has a selection of remotes.  It must have similar features to the remote at this link.

Camera System

• The building has installed a camera system.  This system can only be accessed by the Board of Directors.  

• The system is for follow up purposes only (e.g. identifying infractions of rules, vandalism, criminal actions, etc.).  Video will only be shared with law enforcement officers with a proper subpoena.  Should you have a legal reason for video footage, the law enforcement officer must contact the Property Manager.  

• The system's video retention is a maximum of 12 days.

• Package theft cannot be identified with the camera system. The building receives multiple package deliveries per day and cameras are not able to focus on package labels. 

• Refer to the fine schedule for unauthorized access to include but not limited to tampering with any camera, coaxal cable, ethernet line or camera equipment.

Elevator Outage

If you become trapped in an elevator:

• Remain calm.

• Call the Elevator Company using the telephone button in each elevator cab.

• When the operator answers, please describe the problem you are having. 

• DO NOT attempt to open the door.

Please remain calm and rest assured that assistance is on the way.

Emergency Supplies 

It is highly recommended to maintain at all times emergency supplies in your unit. Suggested items are listed below.

• First aid kit

• Copies of important documents like insurance policies and medical records

• Batteries and flashlights

• Cell phone chargers

• Medications

• Blankets

• Cash in small bills

• Can opener

• Non-perishable food items

• Water (1 gallon per person per day)

• All-weather radio

Entrance Door Security

• When entering doors, do not let people follow you in exterior doors unless you know their identity.  The door on Nelson Street is your front door.  Living in an urban environment, we are all responsible for the security of all residents. 

• It is not permitted to prop open any entrance door with a FOB access swipe and leave It unattended.  These doors include Nelson Street lobby access, Lobby access to resident floors, the roll up garage door, pedestrian entrance to garage and garage access to resident areas.

• Refer to the Fine Schedule for propping doors open.

In Unit Inspections

• Periodically the Board of Directors will require access to your unit for a 3rd party inspection.  This inspection is conducted with licensed companies.  

• Items can include but are not limited to:  

  • Fire suppression systems

  • Water heaters

  • Exterior walls

  • Building support.  

  • The Condominium Documents allow access to units for routine inspections.  

• Other than emergencies, proper notice will always be given.  Should homeowners not be home and access is needed, the HOA reserves the right to enter your unit.  Locksmith charges will be billed back to the homeowner.  

Parking Lot & Garage

• The parking lot is gate access only but shared with Fulton Supply Lofts through a legal easement. The HOA is not responsible for any vehicle damage, theft, due to break in on the premise whether parked in the garage or parking lot.  Additionally, damage caused by one party to another is the responsibility of the two parties.  

• On public streets, the parking lot or garage, leave nothing visible in your car.  You are in the city and break ins happen when visible items are left in vehicles.

• See the parking page for additional information. 

Physically Challenged Residents 

• It is the responsibility of the resident to notify the Property Manager of their special needs and conditions for emergency situations. However the Association and agents acting on its behalf, cannot make guarantees that the information will be readily available and/or provided to emergency personnel in an emergency situation.

Physically challenged occupants can be defined as follows:

• Persons with inability to walk, have difficulty walking, or rely on mobility aids, such as canes, walkers or wheelchairs.

• Persons with sight or hearing disabilities.

• Persons who have difficulty interpreting and receiving sensory information.

• Persons with lack of stamina to exit using stairwells.

• The Property Manager will keep a list of all physically challenged residents that have notified him/her, which will include emergency phone numbers, occupant's name and occupant's unit number. A copy of the list is kept in the Fire Control Box for access by the Fire Department. The list can be reviewed by contacting the Property Manager.

• If staff and emergency personnel are available, they will endeavor to assist physically challenged occupants by escorting them to stairwells or carrying them all the way outside to the nearest safe area. 

Power Outages

• In the event a power outage occurs in the building, limited lighting is available in the hallways via emergency lighting.  

• Deer Lofts does not have a generator.

• It is recommended that all homeowners maintain several battery operated flashlights, blankets, water and other necessary supplies in case of an emergency. CANDLES ARE NOT RECOMMENDED! However, in the event candles are used, please use EXTREME caution. Place candles away from draperies, furniture and walls. Place them on a glass or metal tray to minimize the potential fire hazards.

Severe Weather and Tornados

• During a severe thunderstorm or tornado emergency, listen for radio or television bulletins from the National Weather Service. Seek shelter. An underground area is ideal: but when underground shelter is not available, seek out an interior hallway or room on the lowest floor possible.

• Know the difference between a severe weather/tornado WATCH and a severe weather/tornado WARNING:

  •  WATCH means severe weather/tornado is likely to occur in the watch area.

  •  WARNING means severe weather/tornado has been spotted in the area and there is an imminent threat.

• In the event a tornado is imminent all residents and Site Staff are asked to convene in the interior hallways on each floor. Stay away from all windows and doors and under no circumstances go outside until the storm has passed.

• Once the storm has passed take extreme precaution and watch for trees and debris which may have become unstable due to the high winds and rain.