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HOW TO KEEP SAFE IN A HI RISE FIRE

The emphasis these days is on high-rise multi storied residential complexes in urban areas.

A single complex could be housing over a hundred families and each family could have a minimum of 4 members thus leading to a population of at least 400 persons in a single hi rise residential complex.

Living in a high-rise apartment building presents some unique challenges, especially in case of a fire.

To fight a high-rise fire you have to have the most modern and effective fire prevention and fire suppression equipments.

Every fire is potentially dangerous and unpredictable; so do not underestimate the risk to your life.

Remember, your fire safety is your responsibility!

Fire and smoke move very quickly, and the conditions in any part of the building may change in an instant.

Smoke can spread throughout a building and enter your suite even when the fire is a floor away. Smoke is a serious life-safety hazard for anyone in its path.

During an emergency, you will not have much time to decide what to do. Make sure you know what to do ahead of time.

One question, that is always on a resident's mind in case of fire is: What do I do when I discover a fire or am informed about a fire in my building.

The answer depends on several factors.

First and foremost, treat every fire as an actual emergency.

It is true that in majority of cases the fires are very small and are extinguished by the available resources but if even one fire alarm is ignored, you could pay a tragic price.

Here are some basic procedures to follow when you hear an alarm, discover a fire or are informed about a fire.

1. When you hear an alarm, Stop what you are doing and leave the building by a safe exit.

2. What is a safe exit?

• An exit that is smoke free.
• An exit that is totally enclosed.
  

3. Close all doors - this controls the spread of smoke.

4. Always go to the GROUND FLOOR never to the roof.

   When you discover a fire:

• Leave the fire area immediately.
• Close all doors in the area. Smoke from an open door can quickly spread throughout the building.
• Alert all in the immediate vicinity who may be in danger.
• Proceed to the nearest fire alarm pull station. These are usually at stairwell exits.
• Know the location of the exit stairways and practice using them.
• Know your escape route. You must have at least two methods of exiting your home or building.
• Activate the alarm by pulling on the red box.
• The alarm signal should sound within two seconds.
• Proceed down the stairs to the ground floor exit.
• In a fire, crawl low to stay beneath the heat and smoke.
• Always keep to the walls when you crawl on all fours.
• NEVER GO TO THE ROOF.
• Call the Fire Department when you are safely outside.
• REMEMBER, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you DO NOT use the elevators during a fire alarm. You could become trapped and die, and emergency personnel need the elevators for their own use.

5. Also, Please follow these additional safety practices:

• NEVER park your car in a designated fire route, even for a few minutes. Proper access to the building is critical for Fire Department operations.
• Keep balconies free of flammable and combustible materials and debris.
• Do not throw cigarette butts, or anything else from your balcony.
• Do not store LPG, gasoline, or other flammable substances in your apartment, on your balcony or in your storage locker.
• Please report any damaged fire protection equipment to your building supervisor IMMEDIATELY.
• REMEMBER, if you ever become trapped in your own apartment due to smoke or fire in other areas of the building, USE YOUR TELEPHONE to CALL 101 and alert fire brigade personnel of your location.

6. To protect your family and home have a good fire extinguisher close at hand and know how to use it.

• Every home should be equipped with one or more fire extinguishers and every person in the home should know how to use them properly.
• Use an appropriate extinguisher, in case the fire is small, leaving yourself an escape route.
• For maximum protection in kitchen and garage fires, a portable fire extinguisher that will extinguish all types of fires is recommended.

7. PROPER LOCATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IS IMPORTANT

• Put the right extinguisher in the right places.
• Place them throughout the house (at least one per floor), near exits, in full view so they can be reached quickly and easily.

8. PROPER MAINTENANCE IS A MUST

• Check and maintain fire extinguishers regularly according to manufacture's instructions.

Be a hero - not a statistic! Think now about what you need to do to escape a fire in your home. You can help your family survive a fire.