Hi All,
I have spoken to our H&S partner, Vanessa Davie, who has advised that we should evacuate all J18 until we understand what is happening.
If anyone is currently in J18, could you please evacuate the building immediately.
If you have any issues or concerns, please let me know.
Kind Regards
Annette
Annette Karydis
| Operations Manager
The University of Sydney
Faculty of Engineering, Australian Centre for Robotics
+61 2 9351 8146 | +61 419 207 097
CRICOS 00026A
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From: Annette Karydis <annette.karydis@sydney.edu.au>
Sent: Friday, 1 May 2026 12:59 PM
To: Nick McCouat <nick.mccouat@sydney.edu.au>; David Hickling <david.hickling@sydney.edu.au>; everybody <everybody@acfr.usyd.edu.au>
Subject: [Everybody at ACFR] Re: attention J18 Level 2 residents
Importance: High
Thanks Nick.
We have escalated this and we are expecting Airmaster to be on site within the next 20 minutes.
Levels 1 and 2 are not good. Until we investigate what this is, can I request for all occupants of level 2 to leave the building and anyone
else that may not feel comfortable or have respiratory issues.
We will provide updated information as soon as know.
Many thanks
Annette
Annette Karydis
| Operations Manager
The University of Sydney
Faculty of Engineering, Australian Centre for Robotics
+61 2 9351 8146 | +61 419 207 097
CRICOS 00026A
This email plus any attachments to it are confidential. Any unauthorised use is strictly prohibited.
If you receive this email in error, please delete it and any attachments.
From: Nick McCouat <nick.mccouat@sydney.edu.au>
Sent: Friday, 1 May 2026 12:53 PM
To: David Hickling <david.hickling@sydney.edu.au>; everybody <everybody@acfr.usyd.edu.au>
Subject: [Everybody at ACFR] Re: attention J18 Level 2 residents
Just an update, there is now thicker (visible) white smoke throughout level 2, especially down near the J19 end.
I had to go in to retrieve my bag, but I wouldn't recommend doing so unless you really need to, as it is pretty dense and smells bad. And this is coming from someone who sits in the software office most days.
If you do need to enter L2, it may be worth wearing one of the P100 masks from the workshop, and if in any doubt, perhaps get David Hickling to go in first.
Nick
From: David Hickling <david.hickling@sydney.edu.au>
Sent: Friday, 1 May 2026 12:10 PM
To: everybody <everybody@acfr.usyd.edu.au>
Subject: [Everybody at ACFR] attention J18 Level 2 residents
Hi J18 Level 2 people,
As you know there a smoky odour wafting around your level. Level 3 and 4 are OK at the moment. We think that it is coming in from outside. We have asked the Air conditioning people to inspect urgently.
If the smell bothers you maybe you should leave the building and take a break or go home?
Cheers
David
David Hickling
Administrative and Technical Assistant
The University of Sydney
Faculty of Engineering
Australian Centre for Robotics
Level 2, Sydney Robotics Lab J19
74-80 Abercrombie St
Chippendale 2008 NSW
M 0404 349 074 | T 02 8627 8279