17 Aug

Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings

Learn what to do if a fire happens in your building!

Know the fire safety features in your building and the emergency procedures outlined in the building’s fire safety plan!

Know the locations of all available exit stairs from your floor in case the nearest one is blocked by fire or smoke!

IF THERE IS A FIRE IN YOUR UNIT:

  • Tell everyone in the unit to leave. Close all doors behind you.
  • Pull the fire alarm on your floor and yell “FIRE”.
  • Leave the building using the nearest stairway.
  • Call 9-1-1 when you are safe.
  • Meet the fire fighters and tell them where the fire is.

TO STAY OR GO?

Most of the time, the best thing to do in a fire is leave the building as soon as possible. But in some cases you may not be able to leave and you may have to stay in your apartment. WHETHER YOU DECIDE TO STAY OR GO, YOU MUST ACT QUICKLY AND PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SMOKE.

IF YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE THE BUILDING, WHEN YOU HEAR THE FIRE ALARM:

  • Feel the door to your unit before opening it. If it is hot, use another way out. If it is cool, leave the building immediately, using the closest stairway. Close all doors behind you.
  • DO NOT use the elevator.
  • If you encounter smoke in the stairway, use another stairway.
  • If this is not an option, return to your unit, or seek shelter in another unit.
  • If an announcement is made throughout the building, listen carefully and follow the directions.
  • Call 9-1-1 and let them know where you are.

IF YOU CAN’T GET OUT OF YOUR UNIT OR YOU DECIDE TO STAY IN YOUR UNIT:

  • Stay in your apartment until you are rescued or until you are told to leave. This may take a long time.
  • DO NOT try to leave your apartment a long time after the alarm has sounded. The longer you wait, the more risk there is that heavy smoke will have spread into stairways and corridors. Your chances of survival are less.
  • Keep smoke from entering your apartment. Use duct tape to seal cracks around the door and place wet towels at the bottom. Seal vents or air ducts the same way.

IF SMOKE ENTERS YOUR APARTMENT:

  • Call 9-1-1 and tell them where you are and then move to the balcony. Close the doors behind you.
  • If you don’t have a balcony, go to the most smoke-free room, close the door and seal it with tape and towels. If necessary, open the window for fresh air. Show emergency personnel where you are by hanging a sheet from the window or balcony.
  • Keep low to the floor where the air is cleaner.
  • Listen for instructions from authorities.