High-Rise Fire Safety

High-Rise Fire Escape Planning 

It’s the responsibility of all property owners, condo boards, property management or other entities tasked with the responsibility of a building to have a fire safety plan located on the premises. The emergency procedures should be posted on each level and if your building is considered a high building, fire drills must be held every two months. The best way to protect yourself in a fire is to be prepared . 

 

When you hear the building fire alarm: 

1. Feel the door to your unit before opening it. If it is hot, use another way out. If it is cool, leave the building immediately, using the closest stairway. Do not use the elevator. 
2. Close doors behind you. 
3. If an announcement is made throughout the building, listen carefully and follow the directions.
4. Proceed to your meeting place outside of the building and call 9-1-1.
5. If you encounter smoke in the hallway or stairway, return to your unit and shelter in place. 

 

If there is a fire in your unit: 

1. Tell everyone in the unit to leave. 
2. Close doors behind you.
3. Activate the building fire alarm by using the pull station on your way out.
4. Leave the building using the nearest stairway.
5. Proceed to your meeting place outside of the building and call 9-1-1.
6. Meet the firefighters and tell them where the fire is. 

 

If you encounter smoke or cannot safely evacuate your apartment: 

1. Close doors between you and the smoke or fire.
2. Call 9-1-1 and tell them where you are and move to a smoke free room. Close that door and open the window if there is a need for fresh air. Show emergency personnel where you are by hanging a sheet from the window or waving.
3. Keep low to the floor where the air is cleaner.
4. Listen for instructions from authorities. 

 

If your cooking causes smoke, but no fire, and your unit smoke detector is activated: 

1. Do not open the apartment door to the hallway. This will cause the building alarm to activate and force the evacuation of the building.
2. Open a window to clear smoke and wave a towel below the smoke detector to stop the alarm.
3. Slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner until the pot is completely cool. 

 

Please watch the included videos for further information on pull stations, sprinkler systems, fire escape planning and cooking incidents. The City of Regina Fire Marshal can review high-rise building fire safety plans if requested. 

 

Cooking video 

In this video, Regina Fire & Protective Services shows you what to do when you have a minor cooking incident in your apartment or condominium. Everyone who lives in a high-rise building needs to know what to do when cooking causes smoke but not fire. In this video, you’ll learn how to safely deal with a minor cooking fire by: 

1. Ensuring your cooking is safe and stopping the cause of the smoke;
2. Opening a window to clear the air;
3. Waving a towel by the smoke alarm to clear away the smoke; and
4. Not opening the door to the hallway.

Evacuating Highrise Buildings 

In this video, Regina Fire & Protective Services shows you how to safely evacuate a high-rise building like an apartment, condominium or office building. Everyone who lives, works or goes to school in a high-rise building should know how to safely get out in the event of a fire. In this video, you’ll learn the following information: 

1. If you can’t escape safely, close doors and call 911 to tell them where you are;
2. Always use the stairs to get out;
3. Never use the elevator in a fire; and
4. Participate in fire drills so you know what to do in a real emergency.

Pull Stations 

In this video, Regina Fire & Protective Services shows you how and when to use a pull station in your high-rise building. Everyone who lives, works or goes to school in a high-rise building should know how to use a pull station and what to do when you hear the fire alarm. Both are important fire safety devices in your building. In this video, you’ll learn the following: 

1. When you notice smoke or fire, pull down on the pull station lever to activate the alarm;
2. Evacuate the building by following the exit signs and using the stairwells;
3. Pull stations and fire alarms are there to give everyone time to safely evacuate in a fire;
4. When you hear the alarm, leave immediately; 
5. Once outside, call 911; and 
6. Only activate pull stations in an emergency. 

Sprinkler Systems 

In this video, Regina Fire & Protective Services shares some important rules to make sure that fire sprinklers will work properly. Fire sprinkler systems can save lives by stopping fire from spreading. Everyone who lives, works or goes to school in a high-rise building should know these important rules about fire sprinklers. 

1. Sprinklers are activated by heat, not smoke;
2. Never hang anything from sprinkler heads; and
3. Always maintain a clear area of 1.5 feet or half a metre around a sprinkler head.