Brand-new $853m ECU City campus evacuated after emergency alarm triggered three days into semester

Perth City’s Edith Cowan University campus was evacuated on Wednesday afternoon — just three days into semester one — after an emergency alarm was triggered inside the brand-new $853 million complex.

It remains unclear what caused the alarm.

The campus stayed closed on Wednesday night while independent air quality testing was carried out following paint works on level six.

ECU said the painting was not responsible for the earlier alarm and was unrelated to the evacuation.

“Edith Cowan University can confirm that an emergency alarm was triggered on level four of the ECU City Campus building this afternoon,” a university spokesperson said.

“In line with established safety protocols, the building was immediately evacuated.

“At the time, paint works were being undertaken on level six. While the alarm is believed to be unrelated to those works, independent air quality testing is being conducted by Multiplex as a precaution.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the City Campus will not reopen this evening. Remediation measures are underway and further testing will occur before we reopen the campus.”

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services was called to the campus just before 2pm. Police also attended.

ECU confirmed there were no injuries.

“There were no reported injuries and all students and staff were evacuated safely,” the spokesperson said.

Classes began on Monday, after the campus opened for orientation on February 2.