Recent fatal fires in high-rise structures have prompted Americans to rethink
fire safety. A 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.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA), a directorate of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), would like you to know 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 buildings evacuation
plans. 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 emer-gency
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 occu-pants
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.
Remember, fire safety is your personal
responsibility...Fire Stops With You!