January 2025
Few high-rise residents are aware of their roles and responsibilities in preventing, preparing and responding to fire emergencies. Most incorrectly assume this is solely the role of management.
The first response by high-rise dwellers to a fire alarm is to call security or the management office. This stems from a failure to understand their life safety systems or the roles of building staff. During a fire emergency answering calls, texts and e-mails is at the bottom of their priority list.
The typical response to a fire alarm is to assume it is false. Most wait for the fire department to show up and make an announcement.
All high-rise buildings in Ontario are required to have fire safety plans. This is expected to be distributed to and understood by everyone in the building. It is located near the front door in a small box. What good is it if residents don’t know about it, have never received it and not read it in advance of an emergency? No wonder their first instinct is to make a phone call.
What residents should know in advance of a fire emergency:
- Life safety features and systems in their building and unit, and where each is located
- Role of building operations and security personnel when a fire alarm goes off
- How to decide when to leave the building, and the evacuation route
- What to do if unable to evacuate including what materials are needed to protect against smoke and fire, and how to use them
