The
key to fire safety for those who live and
work in these special structures is to
practice specific high-rise fire safety and
prevention behaviors. There are simple
fire safety steps you can take to prevent
the loss of life and property in high-rise
fires.
Be
Prepared for a High-rise Fire Emergency
- Never lock fire exits or
doorways, halls or stairways. Fire doors
provide a way out during the fire and slow
the spread of fire and smoke. Never prop
stairway or other fire doors open.
- Learn your building evacuation
plan. Make sure everyone knows what to do
if the fire alarm sounds. Plan and
practice your escape plan together.
- Be sure your building manager
posts evacuation plans in high traffic
areas, such as lobbies.
- Learn the sound of your
building's fire alarm and post emergency
numbers near all telephones.
- Know who is responsible for
maintaining the fire safety systems. Make
sure nothing blocks these devices and
promptly report any sign of damage or
malfunction to the building management.
Do Not
Panic in the Event of a High-rise Fire
Emergency
- Do not assume anyone else has
already called the fire department.
- Immediately call your local
emergency number. Early notification of
the fire department is important. The
dispatcher will ask questions regarding
the emergency. Stay calm and give the
dispatcher the information they request.
If the
Door Is Warm to the Touch
Before you try to leave
your apartment or office, feel the door with
the back of your hand. If the door feels
warm to the touch, do not attempt to open
it. Stay in your apartment or office.
- Stuff the cracks around the door
with towels, rags, bedding or tape and
cover vents to keep smoke out.
- If there is a phone in the room
where you are trapped, call the fire
department again to tell them exactly
where you are located. Do this even if you
can see fire apparatus on the street
below.
- Wait at a window and signal for
help with a flashlight or by waving a
sheet.
- If possible, open the window at
the top and bottom, but do not break it,
you may need to close the window if smoke
rushes in.
- Be patient. Rescuing all the
occupants of a high-rise building can take
several hours.
If the
Door Is Not Warm to the Touch
- If you do attempt to open the
door, brace your body against the door
while staying low to the floor and slowly
open it a crack. What you are doing is
checking for the presence of smoke or fire
in the hallway.
- If there is no smoke in the
hallway or stairwells follow your
building's evacuation plan.
- If you don't hear the building's
fire alarm, pull the nearest fire alarm
"pull station" while exiting the floor.
- If you encounter smoke or flames
on your way out, immediately return to
your apartment or office.
After a
High-rise Fire Emergency
- Once you are out of the building,
STAY OUT! Do not go back inside for any
reason.
- Tell the fire department if you
know of anyone trapped in the building.
- Only enter when the fire
department tells you it is safe to do so.
Maintain
and Install Working Smoke Alarms
No matter where you
live, always install smoke alarms on every
level of your home. Test them monthly and
change the batteries at least once a year.
Source:
NFPA
