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This time it’s about storing items in the front hallway, under the stairs.
Is it, or is it not, a fire regulation that nothing can be stored in hallways? even if the little crawl space under the stairs looks ideal for just about anything you can’t fit in your apartment?
I’m tired of seeing prams, scooters, baby seats, beach gear, surfboards, fold up tables, bicycles and all sorts of things spilling out from under the stairs. It’s unsightly and I think potentially dangerous. Even if it is not in the direct path of “egress” – is it still against the fire safety rules?
We have recently installed smoke detectors and emergency lighting – does this forfeit the need to keep the hallway clear?
I really appreciate this column and forum. thanks again Jimmy T.
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We have recently installed smoke detectors and emergency lighting – does this forfeit the need to keep the hallway clear?
The short answer is no. We have these things too but “Paths of travel to exits” is still a requirement on our Occupancy Permit. That is according to BCA Section D.
We intoduced the following policy:
Building lobbies and stairwells cannot be used for bike parking due to various reasons including:
1. They are designated emergency exit paths and cannot be obstructed.
2. They are the entrances to homes and should not be cluttered or look untidy.
3. They are not designed to be bike parking areas.
4. Bikes can damage paintwork on walls.Thanks Austman, they are great points. However the sceptics believe that because the under the stairs is not in direct line of the pathway down stairs and out the front door, that it is not relevant to this rule on egress. I’ve seen the area so built up with stuff it’s embarrassing to walk into the building; I thought maybe I was just being a neat freak, but this is also a part of my quiet enjoyment of our lovely heritage building.
Any other pointers others can help with? most welcome to add to this list, especially as far as NSW rules go and for general storage of sports equipment, boxes etc. Thanks.
Building lobbies and stairwells cannot be used for bike parking due to various reasons including:
1. They are designated emergency exit paths and cannot be obstructed.
2. They are the entrances to homes and should not be cluttered or look untidy.
3. They are not designed to be bike parking areas.
4. Bikes can damage paintwork on walls.
The EC should be able to deal with the matter regardless. For appearance and safety reasons and the fact that storage is a use of common property that should need approval. The EC can have policies on the matter too.
What we did: We told all owners and residents, both in writing and by a notice in the area, that the items would be removed and disposed of. We gave a few weeks advance notice. And then we paid for someone to do exactly that. There were no complaints and even if there had been, we felt confident that we had given everyone ample time to remove their items before they were disposed of.
We had a problem with bicycles being abandoned in the designated common property bicycle area with racks. There were so many that they were piling up. The Executive Committee held a meeting and resolved to send out a notice to all 213 residents advising that unless they tagged their bike with the owners name and unit number that within 4 weeks they would be removed. 4 weeks passed and all but about 8 that were tagged were removed. No compliants were received. I suggest that you do the same with the objects in the stair well. Stairwells are not storage areas and if there is an emergency and people are vacating the building in little or no light they can be an unintended obstacle.