Fire Safety Brochure - High Rise Apartments
Fire Safety for High Rise Apartments
High-rise apartments present special fire safety concerns.
The added complications associated with evacuating a high rise building means it is even more critical to be prepared for fire.
Among the most common causes are cooking, heating equipment, smoking, electrical systems, children playing with matches and arson.
Be Prepared.
In a real fire you will be able to ensure not only your own safety but that of your family and friends if you have prepared yourself beforehand.
Develop and practice an escape plan for your apartment.
Learn your buildings evacuation plans.
Learn the sound of your buildings alarm system if it has one.
Know how far from your apartment door to the 2 nearest building exits.
Have the emergency services number programmed into your phone.
Purchase a fire blanket and fire extinguisher and be sure you know how to use them.
If the Fire is in you apartment.
1. Get everyone out. Stay low as you go out. Close the doors as you leave.
2. Alert others on the floor by knocking on the doors.
3. Activate the fire alarm if there is one.
4. Go to the nearest STAIRWAY exit.
5. Call the Fire Brigade from a floor BELOW the fire.
6. Remember DO NOT use the elevator in a fire.
If the Fire is not in your apartment.
1. Feel the door with the back of your hand for heat, if the door is hot do not open it. If it is cool open slowly and check for smoke in the hallway.
2. Leave the building by the nearest STAIRWAY exit if it is safe to do so.
3. DO NOT use the elevator.
4. Assemble at your buildings assembly area.
If you are trapped in your apartment.
1. Stay calm. There are things you can do to protect yourself.
2. Close all doors between yourself and the fire.
3. Go to a room that has a phone and call the Fire Brigade even if you can see Fire Trucks in the street below.
4. Tell the Fire Brigade exactly where you are in the building.
5. Go to a window and use a torch or a bed sheet to attract the attention of the firefighters.
Special Needs.
If you have special needs that prevent you from exiting your building by the stairwells, talk to a neighbour or the building manager to make them aware of your special needs for assistance in case of an emergency.
You should try to set up a support network of neighbours and residents in your building.
See if your building/floor has a safe area set aside for people with a disability.
The Fire Brigade can assist you with developing an escape plan that you can practice with people that live with you. A few hours of pre-planning may save your life!
Ensure that egress routes in your building are keep clear of any obstructions.
Report all potential fire hazards to your building manager.
REMEMBER
Install and maintain your smoke alarms.
Develop an escape plan and practice fire drills regularly.
Ask your local fire station for fire safety information.
Check your home and eliminate fire hazards.
Fire Safety in High-Rise Apartments
Practice your fire escape drills frequently.
Never use an elevator in a fire emergency.
Use the emergency exit stairs only.
Building Safety
To help safeguard the lives of yourself and other people in your building you should be familiar with the following:
- Location of all fire exit stairways.
- Installed firefighting equipment.
- The emergency procedures for your building.
- Ensure that hallways and stairs are kept clear of obstructions and rubbish.
- Don’t put items that are too big into rubbish chutes as they may get stuck. Things caught in the chute can easily turn a fire in the basement into a fire on your floor.
- Do not use an elevator if there is a fire. It may stall due to heat or loss of power.
- Inform the building manager if you find safety equipment that is damaged or missing.