Hi-Rise Fire Safety Tips

There are approximately 6000 office building fires every year. Strict local and state fire codes are designed to minimize the chance of a fire in this type building High-rise building pose special hazards for the fire service.

Fire Safety Tips Know who maintains the fire safety equipment in your building

Report any damage to building management Never block fire exits Keep fire doors closed. This will slow the spread of smoke and fire. Never prop these doors open...even temporarily. Learn and know by heart, your buildings evacuation plan. Learn the location of all stairways.Practice E.D.I.T.H. Know the sound of your buildings fire alarm. DO NOT use the elevators when there is a fire. The elevator shaft can become a deadly chimney of hot air and gases.Count the number of doors or other openings between your apartment or desk and the nearest exit. This will help you get out if the area becomes filled with smoke. Know how to activate the buildings fire alarm system. Post emergency numbers next to the phone. In Case of Fire! If you discover a fire, activate your buildings fire alarm system AND call the emergency number for the fire department

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If your building is equipped with a public address system, listen carefully to the instruction you hear. They may save your life! Leave the fire floor immediately following your buildings evacuation plan. DO NOT use the elevator.If you encounter heavy smoke or fire preventing your escape, use your alternate escape root. Don't go back no matter what. Don't go back to retrieve valuables, pets or even other family members. Firefighters wear special equipment that give them the best chance of rescuing trapped persons. Crawl under the smoke. The cleanest air in a fire situation is found close to the floor so practice crawling out of your house as you make your escape. If you encounter smoke, take your alternate escape route. Crawl quickly to the exit.

Test Every Door before Opening. Before opening a door, make sure there is no fire on the other side. While staying on your hands and knees, reach up high on the door and use the back of your hand to see if the door and then the door knob is hot. If its hot...DON'T OPEN IT! If it's cool, open the door slowly and carefully. If smoke or heat rushes in, close the door immediately. As you leave, close all doors behind you.

Never use elevators when there is a report of fire. Go to the nearest smoke free stairwell.

If You Are Trapped. Close all the doors between you and the fire. Stuff the cracks around the door with towels or other clothing. Cover any vents where smoke may come in. Wait by a window with a flash light for help. Hang and/or wave white or light colored sheet out the window to gain the attention of rescue personnel