Fire Safety Tips for Multistory Buildings

Fire safety is important for everyone to know, especially those who live or work in multistory buildings. Having a plan in place before a fire is imperative. Also, if you have a home or business with 2 to 6 floors, having fire escape ladders would help people safely get away from danger. Here are safety tips you need to know in case of fire in a multistory building.

Know the Plan

It is very important to know about the building where you work or live. Newer buildings are built with fire resistant materials, metal self-closing doors and sprinkler systems so a fire will not spread. This means you might be safer staying put so you need to know that. If you are in an older building, review the evacuation plan often. Listen to the public address system if the building has one.

Know All the Exits

Know the location of all the exits, not just the one closest to you. The path to the closest one may be blocked with debris or smoke. Also, know where all the staircases are located. Always use the stairs and never take the elevator in case of fire. Never open a fire door or one that is warm to the touch.

Stay Low

Smoke is very toxic and can injure or kill you. If there is any smoke present, you need to bend over and stay low to be under the smoke. You should practice this during fire drills so you remember.

What to Do if You Can't Leave

If there is too much smoke in the hall or stairs, you may have to stay in your apartment or office. Shut the doors between you and the fire. Seal the room by applying duct tape, newspapers, clothing or towels around the door and air vents. Open a window but do not break it. That way you can close it if there is smoke coming in from outside. Signal the firefighters with a light-colored cloth or flashlight.

Best Things to Do in an Emergency

An emergency can be natural, like a severe storm or earthquake, or caused by humans, like fires, chemical spills, explosions, or violence. If you own a home or office building with several floors, having emergency escape ladders available will help family members and workers climb down to safety. Here are the best things to do during an emergency at home or work.

At Home

One of the main emergencies that require fast action is a fire. Fire can spread quickly so here are the steps to take:

·         Alert everyone and get out immediately

·         Do not delay by investigating the fire or looking for pets or valuables

·         If there is smoke, crawl along the floor

·         Feel a door before opening and don't open if it is warm

·         Never use an elevator

·         If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop to the floor, and roll. If you can't do this, use a blanket or towel to smother the fire

·         Do not go back into the home

·         Call 911

·         Alert firefighters about people or pets still in the home

Here are things to do in other emergencies:

·         Get your emergency kit. If you have to leave, grab it on the way out

·         Call for help as soon as possible

·         If an evacuation order is issued, turn off the utilities and follow the evacuation instructions

·         Tune to a NOAA weather radio if you are staying in your home

·         During a natural disaster, let others know you are OK by either responding to texts and calls quickly or using the Red Cross Safe and Well platform

At Work

Here are steps to take if you are at work when an emergency occurs:

·         Stay calm

·         Assess the danger

·         Get away from danger by leaving the area, following an evacuation plan or taking cover

·         Listen for instructions from managers or supervisors

·         If there is a fire, do not use the elevator

If smoke is present, go low and stay under it

3 Tips for Ensuring Your Family’s Safety in the Event of a Fire

House fires are a constant concern for safety-conscious homeowners. Fortunately, provided the proper precautions are taken, you can ensure that your family is able to escape unharmed in the event of a fire. Although house fires can be unpredictable, having a solid safety system in place can make the prospect of a large-scale fire seem considerably less frightening. In the interest of keeping your nearest and dearest out of harm’s way, put the following pointers into practice:

1. Regularly Check Your Fire Extinguishers

In addition to placing fire extinguishers in various spots throughout your home, you’ll need to check them on a monthly basis. The exact mechanics involved with performing these checks vary depending on the manufacturer and extinguisher type, so make sure to consult the owner’s manual and/or manufacturer’s website for additional details. For best results, your extinguishers should also be inspected and certified on an annual basis by a professional fire protection company. 

2. Invest in Emergency Escape Ladders

If a blaze traps you and your family on the upper floor of your home, a portable emergency escape ladder can provide you with a necessary way out. To ensure maximum protection, make sure each upper floor room has a ladder, so no matter where anyone is they have a safe way down. 

3. Test Your Smoke Alarms

A staggering number of homeowners neglect to test their smoke detectors on a consistent basis. While performing these checks may be tedious, doing so stands to save your life in the event of a fire. These quick tests help determine which alarms are working properly, which need new batteries and which need to be replaced. Luckily, smoke alarm tests can be carried out in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring that they don’t eat up a substantial portion of your leisure time.  

House fires move very quickly and have the power to cause a tremendous amount of damage in a relatively short span of time. That being the case, it’s imperative that you and your family commence evacuation measures at the first sign of a fire, prepare your emergency escape ladder and have a dependable alarm system in place. 

Are you looking for emergency escape ladders for your home? Check out ResQLadder.com today to learn more about our life-saving product.

3 Ways Landlords Can Encourage Fire Safety: Part 2

Building owners can have extremely high risks associated with owning tenant-occupied buildings. With the obvious benefits to ownership, there also comes intense responsibility. Here are a few tips on keeping renters safe in case of an emergency.

2. Give Each Tenant an Emergency Escape Ladder

If certain tenants don’t have easy access to fire escapes — or your building lacks fire escapes altogether — each unit should have at least one fire escape ladder. This ensures that tenants who don’t live on the ground floor will be able to make a hasty exit in the event of a fire.  

3. Keep an Abundance of Extinguishers on Hand

Operational fire extinguishers can prove invaluable in containing blazes and putting them out before they have a chance to expand. For this reason, take care to place easily-accessible fire extinguishers in each of your building’s hallways. Furthermore, make sure each unit is equipped with an individual extinguisher. 

As a landlord, the well-being of your tenants is not something you can afford to take lightly. If any of them are injured – or worse – as the result of a blaze, you may find yourself in hot water. Fortunately, up-to-date smoke alarms, emergency escape ladders and reliable extinguishers can go a long way in promoting building-wide fire safety.   

3 Ways Landlords Can Encourage Fire Safety: Part 1

Landlords have a lot to lose in the event of a large-scale fire or emergency. In addition to dealing massive property damage, these individuals are liable to have a number of lawsuits on their hands if the proper precautions aren’t taken to ensure safety of the renters as well as the adjoining buildings. As such, it is in the best interest of apartment landlords to promote fire safety and ensure that their tenants are well-protected. Concerned landlords on the hunt for effective fire safety tips would do well to heed the following pointers.  

1. Equip Each Unit with Smoke Alarms

In most states, landlords are required by law to equip each apartment with up-to-date smoke alarms. The number of alarms a unit will need generally depends on square footage. In addition to installing the appropriate number of alarms, you’ll need to encourage tenants to test their alarms on a monthly basis. If a tenant is unable to perform these tests unassisted, volunteer your time or enlist the aid of your building’s maintenance staff to complete the necessary testing.

For more information on fire safety, fire escape ladders and safety info for your business as well as your family check back on our blog as well as ResQLadder.com!