Evacuations from Union Street

​Request 753521382  

Please could I request the following information:  

1. The number of evacuations at the Government of Jersey headquarters at Union Street since it opened. 

2. The reason for each evacuation, including whether any were linked to vaping, smoking, or use of e-cigarettes in the building. 

3. Any internal communication issued to staff in relation to these evacuations, including those warning about vaping or smoking in the toilets. 

4. Any policies, guidance, or rules specific to vaping/e-cigarette use within the Union Street headquarters. 

Thank you!  

Response 

1) There have been 9 evacuations since the building opened. 1 mandatory fire drill and 8 false alarms. 

2) Of the 8 false alarms, one was caused by a faulty detector head in an external car port and the other 7 by smoke detectors in toilets. There is no way to determine definitively what caused the activations. The detectors were tested and operating correctly.

3) Following each evacuation, an email is circulated to all building users outlining the outcome of the investigation. Where the cause of the activation is confirmed, it is detailed in the communication; where it is not, the location of the triggered sensor is provided. For further details, please refer to the attached document.  

Freedom of information response 753521382 - Fire Activation Comms.pdf

4) The Union Street Building User Guide addresses the rules specific to vaping & smoking as follows:

​