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High-rise buildings, including office buildings, apartments, and condominiums, have unique fire safety challenges. Evacuating during a fire may take longer because of the height of the building, longer travel distances, access challenges for firefighters, and the way smoke can spread. If you live in a high-rise building, it is important to plan ahead and know what to do if there is a fire.

Be Prepared

Fire safety starts with preparation. Learn about your building’s fire safety features, know your exit routes, and work with your neighbors and building management to help keep everyone safe.

  • Know the plan. Learn your building’s fire evacuation plan. The plan should be posted in common areas where residents can review it. Building management should conduct a fire drill with residents at least once a year so everyone knows what to do during an emergency.
  • Create and practice a home fire escape plan. Create a fire escape plan for your unit. Identify all available exits and stairways on your floor. Plan more than one way to leave in case smoke or fire blocks one route.
  • Learn about your building's fire safety features. Talk with your landlord or building manager to learn about your building’s safety features, including fire alarms, sprinklers, emergency announcements, and evacuation plans. Know what to do when an alarm sounds.
  • Know where the manual fire alarm boxes are located. Manual fire alarm boxes allow anyone to alert the building about a fire. Learn where they are located. They are usually found near exits. If there is a fire, pull the alarm on your way out of the building.
  • Treat every fire alarm as an emergency. When you hear a fire alarm, leave the building immediately. Do not wait to see if it is a false alarm. Go to your designated meeting place and stay there until you are told it is safe to return.

In Case of Fire

Fires in high-rise and condominium buildings can be dangerous. Before a fire happens, learn where your building’s exit stairs are located. If there is a fire, follow these steps to stay safe.

  • Check if it is safe to leave. Before opening your door, check for smoke or fire outside your unit. Feel the door and do not open it if it is hot. If there is smoke or fire outside your door, stay inside and call 9-1-1.
  • Leave if you can do so safely. If the hallway is clear of smoke and fire, use your planned escape route. Leave quickly and do not stop to collect personal belongings. Close your door behind you.
  • Use the stairs to exit. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. If you use a stairwell, check for smoke or fire before entering. Walk down the stairs carefully. Do not run.
  • Do not use elevators during a fire unless instructed. Elevators can stop working because of heat or power loss. Use the stairs unless firefighters or building instructions tell you to use an approved emergency elevator.
  • If you cannot leave, stay safe inside your unit. If smoke or fire blocks your exit, call 9-1-1 and tell them your exact location. Move to a room with a window if possible. Close all doors between you and the fire. Close vents and air ducts if you can. Use wet towels, sheets, or tape to help block smoke from entering.
  • Signal for help. Stay near a window if it is safe. Open the window slightly if you need fresh air, but do not break the window. Smoke may enter from outside, and you may need to close it. Use a bright cloth or flashlight to signal your location to firefighters.
  • Stay low if there is smoke. Smoke is dangerous and can be deadly. During fire drills, practice staying low and moving under smoke to reach an exit.
  • Go to your outside meeting place. Once you are outside, go to your designated meeting place and stay there. If someone is still inside the building, tell firefighters.