High-Rise Evacuation
Building features such as smoke alarms, automatic fire sprinkler systems, and modern construction used in today’s high-rise offices, apartments, hotels and healthcare facilities produce safe facilities.
Fires in high-rise buildings seldom spread beyond the floor where they start.
The majority of people who have died in high-rise apartment fires were intimate with the fire when it started.
Special Evacuation Planning
Your high-rise escape plan may be to leave immediately when you hear an alarm. Sometimes, however, it’s safest to stay in the building, away from the fire, and wait to be rescued.
If you discover a fire, sound the alarm and call the fire department.
Follow instructions (sometimes given over your building’s public-address system).
Follow your building’s evacuation plan, unless doing so puts you in danger.
If you live or work in a building more than six stories in height,
you may need a special evacuation plan.
Be Prepared
Know what you’re expected to do and participate in fire drills.
Learn the sound of your building’s fire alarm.
Memorize the locations of your building’s fire alarm pull stations, and learn how to use them.
Post fire department and other emergency numbers near all telephones.
Know at least two escape routes from every room in your office, apartment, or condo, and learn at least two exits from your building.
Count the doors between your workstation or dwelling and the two nearest enclosed stairway exits. You may have to escape a fire in the dark.
If You Leave the Building…
Exit quickly, closing all doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
If you have to escape through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your head one to two feet (30 to 60 centimeters) above the floor, where the air will be cleanest.
Test the doorknob and spaces around the door with the back of your hand. If it’s cool, open it slowly. Close it quickly, if smoke pours through.
Never use an elevator to evacuate, unless directed by the fire department.
Once you’re out, tell the fire department if anyone is trapped in the building. Do not go back inside.
If You are Unable to Escape to Safety…
If you have a portable phone, keep it with you. Call the fire department to let them know where you are.
If there is no fire in your area, close all fire doors and stay put.
If there is fire or smoke in your area use the stairs, go to another room with window and wait.
Go to a room with an outside window and a telephone, closing all doors between you and the fire.
Stuff the cracks around the door and cover vents with cloth to keep out smoke.
Call the fire department and tell them exactly where you are.
Wait at a window and signal for help with a flashlight or light-colored cloth.
If possible, open the window at the top and bottom. Do not break the window. Be ready to close the window quickly if smoke rushes in.
Safe at Home
Every household should have an escape plan, because the risk of dying in a fire is greatest at home. Every household should plan and conduct regular fire drills.
Discuss the building’s evacuation plan with every member of your household.
Draw a floor plan of your dwelling showing at least two ways out of each room.
Agree on a meeting place where everyone will gather when they’ve evacuated.
Everyone in your home should know the sound of the smoke alarms.
Practice your escape plan every six months.
Verify with your building manager that all alarms, sprinklers, and
emergency lights are in good working order.