Buildings and the Finnish climate

There are four seasons in Finland:spring, summer, winter and autumn.There is an even amount of rain,but the temperatures changea lot in different seasons.The structures and the technologyin a house make sure that it iscomfortable to live in a flatthroughout the year.

A home protects people from cold,wind and rain.

The Residents must know howto take care of their home.

MY HOMEIN A HOUSING BLOCK

-KESKUSTA

One half of Finns livein housing blocks,

which is a safeand comfortable

way to live.Welcome a board!

A GUIDE FOR RESIDENTS

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Heating system of the buildingThe heat comes into the room from radiators.Their temperature is controlled from the heatingstation depending on the temperature outside.Each radiator also has a thermostat ora controller. They adjust the temperatureof the radiator so that the temperaturein the room is pleasant.

Temperature and humidity in the flatThe temperature in the flat must be evenat all times. The temperature in a room mustbe between 20 and 22 °C. The temperaturein a room must not be under 18 °C or over 24 °C.The humidity in the room air must not be sohigh that the windows steam up.

The houses are built so that as little energyas possible is used for heating. This is whythe roof and the walls of the house areinsulated well and there are several panesof glass in the windows.When energy is saved, the energy bill is small.If the flat is cold, contact the building'smaintenance company.

RadiatorsDo not cover the radiators with for examplecurtains. Do not put a sofa or other piecesof furniture in front of the radiator, becausethey prevent the flow of warm air into the room.

If there isa water leakin your flat,

tell the maintenancecompany

immediately!

ON LIVING IN THE BUILDING...

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Avoiding water damageLeaking pipes and household appliancesthat use water may cause water damage.That is why it is important to occasionallycheck that water does not drip fromhousehold appliances onto the floor.

There must be a protective plastic basinunder the refrigerator, freezer anddishwasher. The basin is bought andinstalled at the same time as the appliance.You cannot install the dishwasher yourself;,you must get a professional to do it for you.

Always keep the dishwasher's and washingmachine's water inlet taps closed when youare not using the appliance. Never leave thedishwasher or the washing machine turnedon when you leave the flat.

Plumbing fixturesIf the water tap or the toiletbowl leaks, it must be fixed.Even a small water leakcan increase the water billvery quickly. Notify thebuilding's maintenancecompany about a waterleak immediately.

Water supply networkThe water pipes in the building bring warm andcold water into the flats from the municipalwater supply network. The water is safe to drink.If there is no warm water coming from the tap,contact the maintenance company.

SewageSewage and waterfrom the toilet go fromthe flat via sewer pipes tothe water treatment plant.You can only put toiletpaper into the toilet bowl.Do not put food waste into the toilet bowl.You must not pour cooking oil or grease into thesewer. It may cause a blockage in the pipes.

WasteThe waste is sorted into different waste bins athome. The waste bins are emptied into thebuilding's waste bins. Make sure that you putthe right kind of waste into the right bin.

ARTO FORSELL 2012

+18 °C - +24 °C

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WINTER SUMMER -30 °C +30 °C

Waste

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Plumbingfixtures

Windows

Temperature in the flat

Antenna system

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Heatingsystemof the

building

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Sauna andbathroom

Laundryroom

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Avoidingwater

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WindowsWindows let light into the flat. There are smallventilation windows for getting fresh air intothe flat. Ventilate the flat efficiently and fora short time, especially in winter. Do not leavethe windows open when you leave the flat!If it rains, the water that comes in can damagethe window, the wall and the floor.

It feels cold and draughty next to the windowsin winter. This is why the radiators are placedunder them. The warm air rises up in front of thewindow and makes the room feel less draughty.

The windows are insulated to stop coldair from coming in. If there is still cold aircoming between the window frame,contact the building's maintenancecompany. You should also contactthe maintenance company if thereis steam, frost or ice on the windows.

Drying laundryYou can dry small amounts of laundry in thebathroom. It is not allowed to dry laundry in theother rooms, because the water condenseson the window panes, for example, and damagesthe structures. You can dry laundry on the balcony,as long as the laundry cannot be seen outsidethe building. However, the best place to drylaundry is the building's drying room.

Laundry roomYou can wash large amounts of laundryin the building's laundry room, and dry it eitherin the tumble dryer or in the drying room.

Sauna and bathroomYou must not ventilate the flat's sauna or bathroominto the flat by keeping the door open. The saunaand bathroom have air vents, and the humidityand steam are removed through these vents.(See the housing company's saunain the cross-section of the building.)

Antenna systemThe housing company either has a shared antenna,or it is part of the cable network. An additionalantenna or a dish antenna cannot be installedwithout permission. You must ask for the buildingmanager's permission first.

If there is an accidentor something is brokenIf a structure or anappliance that belongsto the flat is broken(such as a door, thetoilet bowl, floor surface,air vent or similar), notifythe building manageror the maintenanceperson.

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Direction of the flowof fresh air

Heating air from radiators

Exhaust air

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Air conditioning

Valve for intake air Valve for exhaust air

A) In mechanical exhaust ventilationthe fresh air enters the flat through thewindows or the valves in the externalwall. The air is removed with a mechanicalexhaust fan through valves in thekitchen, bathroom and walk-in closet.

B) In mechanical intake andexhaust ventilationthe fresh air enters the flatthrough air ducts and valves.The air is removedthrough exhaust valves.The air flow in the wholebuilding is adjusted mechanically.

Do not cover the ventilation intake orexhaust valves. Clean the valves twicea year: wipe them clean with a damp cloth,but make sure that you do not changethe settings of the valves. If there is freshair coming in from an exhaust valveor if the smell of food is coming in fromanother flat through a valve, contactthe building's maintenance company.This means that there is somethingwrong with the ventilation.

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Kitchen and preparing foodFood may only be prepared in the kitchen.Using a barbecue on the balcony is forbidden!When you start to prepare food, turn the rangehood on. The fumes from the cookingexits through this hood.

The range hood has a grease filter,which prevents grease from collecting in theexhaust duct. A grease fire is dangerous!A dirty grease filter must be washed orreplaced with a new one. The range hoodshould be cleaned at the same time. Do thisevery 3 months. Ask the maintenance personfor more detailed instructions.

If the flat has a gas stove, learn carefully howto maintain and use it. You can get moreinformation from the building manager.

Fire blanketMake sure that the kitchen hasa fire blanket attached to the wallwhere you can easily find it.Use it to smother a fire.

Remember: Never use water toput out a grease fire! Always putout a grease fire by smothering it.

Everyone is responsible for fire safety

The law requires that every flat must have atleast one smoke alarm. In a large flat theremust be several smoke alarms. A smoke alarmgives an alarm when there is fire or smokein the flat. Check regularly that the smokealarm works. If necessary,change the battery in the alarm.

Note: The smoke alarm doesnot summon the fire brigade.You must call them yourself! Dial 112

This is what you can do to prevent fires:- Do not use electrical devices or cables in bad

condition. Let a professional repair them.- Do not try to fix a stove or another electrical

appliance yourself. Contact the maintenance company or a repair shop.

- Do not cover radiators or heaters withtextiles or clothes.

- Do not dry laundry on top of electric heatersor above the sauna stove.

- Always buy a suitable light bulb for a lamp.The lamp has a marking that tells you how powerful bulb to use.

- Turn off electrical devices as soon as youstop using them.

- Leave air space around the television, microwave oven, refrigerator and freezer.They must no t be covered!Do not stop the air flow around the appliance.

- Do not keep flammable fluids in the shared storage space. You can only store a small amount of those fluids in your flat.Cooking oils are flammable fluids too!

Remember: Put out an electricalfire by smothering it with a fireblanket or by using a fireextinguisher! Do not use water!

This is what you cando to save energy:- Change incandescent light

bulbs to energy-saving lamps.- Ventilate the flat quickly and efficiently.- Turn the radio, television and computer off when

you are not using them – do not leave themin the standby mode.

AlterationsAlterations cannot be made in the flat withoutpermission.You must first discuss the alterationswith the building manager or landlord. A buildingpermit from an authority may also be requiredfor the alterations. This is done to make sure thatthe building is a safe and healthy place to live.There are detailed instructions on makingalterations to rental flats. You can get theseinstructions from the building manager.

Housing rules of the buildingEach building has housing rules.They should be followed to maintain a goodrelationship with your neighbours.

Remember to do the following yourself:- Clean or change the filters in the range hood

every 3 months.- Clean the ventilation valves twice a year.- Clean the sewer drain trap and the floor drain

when you clean your flat.- Change the battery in the smoke alarm

according to the instructions at least once a year.- Defrost and clean the freezer once a year,

for example in the winter when the temperatureoutside is below zero, or in the summer when there is not much in the freezer.

EMERGENCIES

Water damage1) Try to close the water pipe from

the shut-off valve and2) call the building maintenance company's

emergency number or3) call a plumbing company that is on call.

Write down the maintenance company'semergency number

and the building manager's telephone number

In case of fire or other danger,dial the emergency number 112

ASUMISOPAS maahanmuuttajille 2013,

HELSINGIN KAUPUNKI / Lähiöprojekti;

Englannin kielen käänös Lingoneer Oy;

Axovaatio Oy/Teuvo Aro;

Mainostoimisto Arto Forsell Oy