High-Rise Fire Safety Tips
For the best protection, select a fully sprinklered
building. If your building is not sprinklered, ask the
landlord or management to consider installing a
sprinkler system.
Meet with your landlord or building manager to
learn about the fire safety features in your building
(fire alarms, sprinklers, voice communication
procedures, evacuation plans and how to respond
to an alarm).
Know the locations of all available exit stairs from
your floor in case the nearest one is blocked by fire
or smoke.
Make sure all exit and stairwell doors are clearly
marked, not locked or blocked by security bars and
clear of clutter.
If there is a fire, pull the fire alarm on your way out
to notify the fire department and your neighbors.
If the fire alarm sounds, feel the door before
opening and close all doors behind you as you
leave. If it is hot, use another way out. If it is cool,
leave by the nearest way out.
If an announcement is made throughout the
building, listen carefully and follow directions.
Use the stairs to get out -- never use the elevator
unless you are directed to by the fire department.
Escape 101
GO to your outside meeting
place and stay there. Call the fire
department. If someone is trapped
in the building, notify the fire
department.
If you can’t get out of your
apartment because of fire, smoke
or a disability, STUFF wet towels
or sheets around the door and
vents to keep smoke out.
CALL the fire department and tell
them where you are.
OPEN a window slightly and
wave a bright cloth to signal your
location. Be prepared to close the
window if it makes the smoke
condition worse.
Fire department evacuation of a
high-rise building can take a long
time. Communicate with the fire
department to monitor evacuation
status.