How to Survive a High Rise Fire

The guidelines for escaping from a high rise building are different from those for a typical house. If you live or work in a high rise building, you should familiarize yourself with general fire safety rules and the specific guidelines for your high rise building. Learn how to survive a high rise fire.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Avoid using the elevator. An elevator is likely to lose power and stop in between floors, leaving you trapped and helpless. Or it may open at the floor where the fire is burning.

2. Exit the building via an enclosed stairwell when evacuating a burning high rise. Check to make sure that it is not filled with smoke before entering.

3. Familiarize yourself with the intricacies of your building, memorizing exit routes from any rooms and floors where you spend any time. This includes the building's laundry and exercise facilities.

4. Know where the fire extinguishers are kept on each floor. You should only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is relatively small and contained. Otherwise, evacuate immediately.

5. Follow certain procedures if you cannot escape the building: seal off the doorway in your room with wet towels or bedding. Close any vents and open a window. Wave a sheet or towel out of your window to alert firefighters to your presence.

6. Practice your fire escape route so that you will immediately know what to do if you are ever faced with a blaze.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not jump out of a high rise unless it absolutely cannot be avoided. If you must exit through a window, go to the lowest floor possible, and then dangle from the window, slowly lowering yourself down.
• Keep escape routes free of obstructions such as furniture.
• Do not break your window. It may be necessary to close it if smoke starts entering from the outside of the building. However, if the window cannot be opened, break the glass. You'll need the oxygen.