Living in a High Rise

If you live in a high-rise apartment building, you could face special challenges in the event of a major emergency.

In general, all that applies to people who live in smaller apartment building or single-family dwellings will apply to you.

However, there are some important steps you should keep in mind, and procedures you should practice:

• Know the evacuation plan for your building and what to do in the event of an alarm. This means understanding the various alarms that may sound in your building and the proper response for each. You can request this information from your superintendent, building supervisor or landlord if you cannot find it easily on your own.
• Know the location of each exit stairwell on your floor, and identify them as primary (closest) and secondary exits.
• Keep the corridors and hallways’ leading to these exits free and clear of obstruction. If corridors and hallways are obstructed, notify your superintendent, building supervisor or landlord.
• NEVER use the elevator to evacuate a high-rise during an alarm.
• In case of a power outage, have extra drinking water stored, especially if you live on higher floors.

In general, unless you are asked to evacuate, you should stay in your apartment as long as you are safe, warm and can feed yourself.

High Rise Fires

Knowing what to do in case of a fire in your building will help keep you and your family safe. Making sure everyone in your apartment knows how to respond could literally make the difference between life and death.

If you discover a fire: 

• Leave the area.
• Close all the doors as you exit.
• Sound the fire alarm.
• Telephone 9-1-1 from an area of safety.
• Use a safe exit stairwell - not the elevators.

Upon hearing the fire alarm:

• Turn off all appliances.
• Feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, remain in your unit and call 9-1-1. If the door is not hot, leave the building via the nearest exit and close all the doors behind you.
• If the smoke is heavy in the corridor, it may be safer to remain in your area. Close the door and place a wet towel at its base.
• If the stairway is full of smoke, use an alternate exit. If all stairways are also full of smoke, it may be safer to stay in your area.
• Make sure you take your key, in case you are forced to return to your unit.

Know your building:

• Learn the location of exits and fire-alarm pull stations on your floor and other area you visit frequently. This knowledge may save your life.
• Make a simple floor plan showing the two exits closest to your apartment. Walk the distance and actually count the number of steps to these exits. In an emergency, hallway and exit lighting may be out. In that event, you can count your steps to find the exit.
• Make your family fire escape plan now. Have a family meeting to discuss the plan and the fire-safety information on this page.
• Conduct regular fire drills with your family and participate in those conducted by your building's management.

Remember:

• Never place yourself or others in jeopardy by attempting to extinguish a fire.
• If you cannot extinguish a small fire with a portable fire extinguisher, or if the smoke becomes hazardous, leave the area.
• Close the door to confine and contain the fire.
• Activate the fire alarm, call 9-1-1, and wait outside for firefighters to arrive.