April 2020

Fire Alarms

• Each unit has alarms in the hallway & master bedroom near the top of the wall
• Building alarms are on each floor, on the catwalk near the elevator lobby and at each end of the building near the stairwells.
• For procedures to follow when the alarm sounds, follow this link to Fire Safety Instructions

Smoke Alarm

• All apartment units have at least one hard-wired 10-year smoke detector with a battery back-up. Batteries are replaced annually at Mutual expense.
• All plaza home units have at least one hard-wired CO2/smoke detector with 10-year sealed-in lithium back-up battery installed at Mutual expense.

Baseboard Heating

• To turn on the heat and adjust the temperature, thermostats may be found in each bedroom and in the living and dining areas.
• Switch to ‘on’, turn the dial to the desired temperature, listen for a click, and turn it back slightly. These older thermostats are inaccurate and need to be adjusted individually in each room.
• Owners may replace them with energy efficient digital thermostats, installed at their own expense.
• Furniture and draperies should not be placed close enough to touch the heating units.

Air Conditioners

• During winter months, enclose the filter in a plastic bag and replace it in the unit to keep cold outside air from flowing into the home.
• Turn the heat OFF in every room before turning ON your air conditioner.
• There is only one thermostat for air conditioners, on the wall by your patio or balcony slider.
• Check Filter before starting – be sure it’s clean and not in a plastic bag

 Hot Water Heater

• Be certain to check the pan under the water heater frequently for leaks.
• Look for the installation date. The average water heater should be replaced after about 10 years.

Master Water Valve

• A single valve, it is located in the laundry area behind the dryer
• Make sure the valve is easy to turn off/on in case of an emergency.

Dryer Filters

• It is important to clean the dryer screen after every use. Lint accumulation is a fire hazard.
• Dryer vents and hoses are cleaned every other year at Mutual expense. The date of the last cleaning is on a tag hanging from the master water valve.

Garbage Disposals

• Unclogging drains is an all too common event, with considerable costs to residents and the Mutual.
• Regular running and flushing of the garbage disposal (whether you use it or not) is the simplest way to avoid a clog and cure a slow-draining sink, and is the responsibility of all residents
• Run the COLD water for 15 seconds before introducing waste, while the unit is running, and 15 seconds afterward to clear the unit.

• Maintain your disposal by regularly grinding up pieces of lemon or orange peel and ice cubes.

• We do not recommend that you use the garbage disposal for any reason. But if you do, do not put the following items into your garbage disposal: grease or oil, onion skins, celery, bones, fruit pits, corncobs, nut shells or other hard or stringy materials.