Fire Safety Tips

When you get on an airplane, one of the first things you do is locate all the exits in case of an emergency. This same action is a good one to take when entering any place of public assembly. Here are some tips for ensuring your personal safety when entering a building in which large numbers of people are gathered.

Before You Enter

Take a Good Look
Does the building appear to be in a condition that makes you feel comfortable? Is the main entrance wide and does it open outward to allow easy exit?

When You Enter

Locate All Your Exits
Like on an airplane, identify the location of all available exits from the building. Are they clearly marked and well lit? Some exits may be in front and some in back of you. Always be prepared to use the exit closest to you, as you may not be able to use the main exit.

Check For Clear Exit Paths
Make sure aisles are wide enough and not obstructed or blocked. If there are not at least two clearly marked exits, or they are blocked, report the violation to the management. Leave the building if it is not immediately addressed. Call the Seattle Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office at 206-3861450 to register a complaint.

Do You Feel Safe?

Does the building appear to be overcrowded? Are there fire sources such as candles burning, pyrotechnics, or other heat sources that may make you feel unsafe? Are there safety systems in place such as sprinklers, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers? Ask if you have concerns, and leave if you don’t feel safe.

During an Emergency

React Immediately
If an alarms sounds, or you see any indication of smoke or fire, immediately exit the building in a calm and orderly fashion. Use your closest exit, even if it is not the main exit.

Get Out and Stay Out
Once you have escaped, stay out and move away from the building. This allows others to exit safely and firefighters to enter.

Marina fires are violent and devastating events. They are difficult and dangerous fires to fight. Marina fires can progress so rapidly that firefighters can only hope to limit their growth. Rapid extinguishment of a fire of this nature is not likely. The real opportunity to save lives and property lies in prevention.

Most boat owners and marina managers only think about fire prevention after news stories have aired pictures of boats on fire and interviews with distraught owners. After the flames are doused there is much more for marina managers and boat owners to contend with. Insurance claims are just the start of a lengthy clean-up and rebuilding process.

These facts emphasize the need to prevent fires from starting. Protecting our marine investments is only possible if all of those involved work together. Marina fire prevention should be of utmost concern for marina managers and boat owners alike.

Many boat owners do not have the knowledge or skills to recognize fire hazards that may exist aboard their boats. The greatest opportunity to prevent a fire is to educate boat owners to recognize hazards for the safety of the marina. Marina managers are best positioned to provide fire safety information to their tenants through a variety of methods, including classes, newsletters and mailings. A marina occupied by knowledgeable and caring occupants will be a safer marina.

Fire Prevention for Boat Owners

Most marina fires start aboard an individual boat. Many of the common fire prevention tips for homes apply to boats too.

• When choosing a marina, check around for fire protective measures such as fire extinguishers, cleanliness, clear dock passageways, security, good lighting, etc. If you don’t feel safe, take your boat and your business elsewhere.
• Use Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) marine approved cordsets and connections. Do not hook up if you see burn marks or your cordset will not firmly connect.
• Routinely replace cordsets. Worn or overloaded cordsets and damaged shore power connections are a common cause of fires.
• Regularly inspect electrical and fuel systems. Have a professional upgrade the wiring to maintain the needs of your navigational equipment and other appliances.
• Never leave operating electrical equipment, including heaters, unattended. When leaving your boat for any reason turn portable heaters off.
• Smoke alarms are important life saving devices and should be installed in your boat.

Fire Extinguishers

Properly operated, fire extinguishers can help stop a small fire before it has a chance to grow out of control. Coast Guard approved extinguishers required for boats are hand portable, either B-I or B-II classification and have a specific marine type-mounting bracket. Look for the part of the label that says “Marine Type USCG”. It is recommended the extinguishers be mounted in a readily accessible position, away from the areas where a fire could likely start, such as the galley or the engine compartment.

Remember the P.A.S.S. Word

There are four basic steps to using a fire extinguisher.

Pull the safety pin by grabbing the ring and twisting.
Aim the hose at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle.
Sweep the hose from side to side while discharging
and Be Prepared

Training and practice are the best ways to prepare for emergencies. Make certain you know the P.A.S.S. system and understand how to safely use a fire extinguisher before you ever need to.

• Don’t force yourself to fight a fire that makes you uncomfortable or puts you at risk.
• Fire extinguishers are small quick fixes. If you are unable to put out the fire with one extinguisher, leave.
• Don’t let the fire come between you and your exit. Keep your back to the exit and the fire in front of you.

Personal Flotation Device

More than 90% of boating-related deaths are from drowning. And 80% of those drowning victims were not wearing a personal flotation device or PFD! Anytime anyone is boating, there’s a chance of falling overboard.

Washington State Law (RCW 79A.60.160) requires PFDs for each person aboard a vessel operating on Washington State waters. Each PFD should be in good condition, of an appropriate size, and readily accessible. A PFD is not considered readily accessible for children twelve years old and under unless the child wears it. Children must wear a PFD whenever the vessel is underway and the child is on an open deck or open cockpit of the vessel.

When buying a PFD, always check the labels to make sure the U.S. Coast Guard approves it. Pick a life jacket that fits you, and fits the type of boating you will be doing. For your PFD to work, it has to be kept in good condition. Always air-dry your PFD thoroughly before stowing it. Check it twice a year for mildew, leaks, insecure straps, or hardened stuffing.
Life jacket, life-vest, PFD, or personal flotation device. No matter what you call it, it won’t work if you don’t wear it. Don’t take chances, wear your PFD!

Marina Emergency Response Plan

It is important to take the time to prepare for a fire emergency. An emergency response plan should respond to the risk of fire as well as outline the responsibilities of staff and boat owners.

Establish a safety committee to develop an emergency plan that outlines the actions staff should follow in the event of a fire and the training guidelines needed to maintain their readiness. The following list includes many of the elements that should be included in your plan:

1. Call 911 to report the emergency.
2. Evacuate boaters and guests.
3. Shut off all electrical power to the fire area.
4. Shut down the fuel dock.
5. Move adjacent boats away from the fire area but don’t untie burning boats to drift away.
6. Move any vehicles that may obstruct firefighting operations.
7. Assign personnel to direct incoming emergency responders to the right location and remain available as an information resource.
8. Work with Fire Department personnel during the development of your plan. Firefighters can assist you with procedural decisions and you can help them by providing pre-fire information particular to your marina.
9. Train staff to make decisions based on the plan. Training should include how to report a fire, conduct an evacuation, and extinguish a fire using on-site firefighting equipment as applicable. If you expect staff to use equipment, you need to provide the training to safely and properly use each piece.
10. Schedule drills for marina employees at least twice a year. Drills allow employees the opportunity to test and practice the marina emergency response plan. Drills also provide an opportunity to update and change the plan as needed. No matter how detailed or basic, the plan should be written down and updated regularly.

Marina Fire Prevention Guidelines

While marina employees can take preventative measures in public areas, they can not prevent fires that occur within the individual boats. It is up to the marina management to foster an attitude of prevention and cleanliness for the overall safety of the marina. Hopefully this attitude will transfer to each individual slip holder.

• Develop an addendum to the leasing contract that clearly spells out the marina fire prevention procedures for each boat owner.
• Review the insurance policies for both the marina and boat owners. Audit your files regularly to ensure that these insurance certificates have not lapsed.
• Post evacuation diagrams in public areas for tenants and guests.
• Keep public areas clean—docks, parking lots, landscaping, offices, etc.
• Institute an electrical inspection program to ensure that all shore power cordsets are marine grade, in good condition and that all permanent electrical fixtures are maintained in prime working condition. Educate boat owners so they can recognize faulty or dangerous electrical equipment.
• Contact owners of boats that see little use or are rarely at the marina to check on them. Neglect breeds fire.
• Conduct special training sessions for boaters prior to the start of boating season to remind them of fueling procedures and at the end of the boating season to discuss safe winterizing.
• Take control. Enforce the fire safety procedures you have developed.

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February. Two out of three reported home heating fires and associated deaths and injuries involved portable and fixed space heaters and related equipment, such as fireplaces and chimneys.

Baseboard Heaters

Baseboard heaters are very efficient, but they can be a serious fire hazard if used carelessly. Common sense can prevent a baseboard heater fire. Any time a flammable object comes in contact with a heater, a fire could result.

Checklist for Baseboard Heaters

• Check baseboard heaters often and remove objects that have fallen on top or near the heater.
• Keep all furniture a safe distance from your heaters. Never block the flow of heat.
• Never permit electrical cords to drape across heaters.
• Always hire an experienced electrician to do any necessary repair work on your baseboard heaters.

Portable Heaters

Portable models heat up rapidly, and like baseboard heaters, they can easily ignite any flammable item left nearby.

When shopping for a portable heater, choose a model with 1) temperature control, 2) an automatic shut-off device, and 3) a seal of approval from an independent testing laboratory, indicating that it has met basic safety standards.

Checklist for Portable Heaters

• Keep portable heaters three foot away from anything that can burn.
• Always place portable heaters on flat surfaces.
• Always turn the heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Avoid using household extension cords with portable heaters. If you must use an extension cord, make certain that it is a heavy-duty cord.

Fireplaces & Woodstoves

If you use a fireplace to heat your home have your chimney inspected by a professional and if necessary cleaned before each heating season. Creosote can build up along the inside of the chimney and pose a fire hazard.

Checklist for Fireplaces & Woodstoves

• Always use a firescreen to contain sparks.
• Never burn rubbish.
• Make certain anything flammable is kept a safe distance away from the fireplace.
• Never leave fires unattended, especially in areas used by children or pets.
• Clean out the ashes when cool and place in a metal container.

Just in Case

• If a fire occurs in your home, a working smoke alarm can save your life.
• Make certain smoke alarms are installed on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Test your smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
• Everyone in your home should know what to do in the event of a fire. Plan and practice a home escape plan.
• Make sure everyone knows at least two ways out of every sleeping area. Decide upon a place outside of the home, where everyone will meet in the event of fire. Make certain everyone understands that once they have left a burning building they should never go back inside. Call 911 from a safe phone.

Every 15 seconds a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States. Most fires don’t happen in homes. But most fire deaths and injuries do. The major causes of fatal home fires are misplaced smoking materials, heating equipment, arson and children playing with matches or lighters.

The United States and Canada have the highest fire death rates of any industrialized countries. Why? Our buildings are built to high standards and our fire departments are among the best in the world. The problem is people, and their lack of awareness about the importance of making fire safety a part of their everyday lives.

How long do you have to escape from a fire in your home?

When people were asked this question in a recent survey, they answered in ways that were surprising. Fifty eight percent said two minutes or more. Twenty four percent estimated they had more than 10 minutes to escape a home fire.

The truth is, you may have much less time to escape than you think. A typical living room fire can threaten the entire house in just moments—producing life threatening conditions in nearby bedrooms less than two minutes after the smoke alarm sounds. Your family needs to know how to get out at the first sign of a home fire.

Don’t wait, plan your escape today

Every family should have a fire escape plan. Include everyone in the planning process. Draw your plan, marking two ways out of every room. Include windows. Pick a meeting place outside, well away from the building. Tell everyone to meet there after they’ve escaped. That way you can count heads and tell the fire department if anyone’s trapped inside. Don’t forget to call the fire department from a safe location.

Practice your plan

Plans are great, but the only way to know if they work is to practice them. Hold a home fire drill. Getting out of your own home sounds easy, but your home can look very different if it’s full of smoke. Children in particular need to practice. Children practice drills at school every month, but rarely at home. But fires are far more likely to happen at home.

Have someone press the button on the smoke alarm as the signal for the drill to start. Get out quickly, but carefully. Everyone should go to the meeting place.

Fire Drill Check List

• The escape plan has been discussed with all family members.
• Start the drill with everyone in their room, pretending to be asleep.
• Signal the start of the drill by sounding the smoke alarm. It is especially important for children to recognize the sound of the smoke alarm so they will react appropriately when they hear it.
• Practice using your main escape routes first. Don’t run. Just go quickly and calmly outside and to the meeting place.
• The family meeting place is located safely away from the building and out of the way of the arriving fire department.
• Everyone arrives at the family meeting place in under two minutes.
• Someone pretends to go call 911 for help. They know what information to give the 911 dispatcher.

Tips for a safe escape

1. If you see smoke, try another way out. If you can’t avoid the smoke, crawl under it on your hands and knees.
2 Test doors before you open them. If you touch the door and it is warm, use another escape route. If the door is cool, open it cautiously.
3 Do security bars on windows have quick-release devices? Bars need to be opened easily and quickly from the inside by everyone in the household. Make sure to practice opening them.
4 Don’t stop or go back for anything. Possessions can be replaced. You can’t. Remember fire spreads quickly. Get out fast and stay out. Call the fire department as quickly as possible.

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Count your smoke alarms
The Seattle Fire Department recommends you install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, including one in every bedroom.

Check your smoke alarms
Press the test button on smoke alarms each month to make certain they are still working.

Vacuum your smoke alarms
Clean smoke alarms each month of dust and cobwebs to keep them sensitive.

Change your batteries
Change smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, or as soon as the alarm “chirps” warning that the battery is low. The Seattle Fire Department suggests changing batteries in the fall when clocks are changed from Daylight Savings Time.

Change your alarm
Replace smoke alarms once every ten years.

Know the sound
Make sure everyone in the home can hear and recognize the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to react immediately. Assistive devices are available for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Escape Ladders

Bedrooms above the ground floor may need a fire escape ladder. One of the most important features of a home fire escape ladder is the presence of standoffs. These are protrusions that hold the ladder rungs away from the side of the house. Standoffs help steady the ladder and allow enough room for a secure toehold. The more standoffs on a ladder the better.

Home escape ladders come in two standard lengths—15 feet and 25 feet. The shorter length is adequate for most two story bedrooms, while the longer is used for three story rooms. Make sure that the ladder is easily deployed by the person who will use it. Also check for the load limit. Ladders should be rated for at least 1,000 pounds.

Where to get them

Local hardware and home improvement stores carry escape ladders. Check by calling around to see who is currently carrying them. Another source are safety supply stores. Look for them in the yellow pages under safety equipment.

How to use them

Portable ladders work somewhat like a boat ladder. They are generally made from aluminum or plastic chain with rigid bars as the rungs of the ladder. After purchasing a ladder, make sure that it fits the specific window for which its intended. If the ladder is for a child’s room, have the child practice putting the ladder out the window. Then have them practice climbing out, but do this from a first floor window. Do this as part of a family fire drill.

Home Fire Safety Checklist

Heating

• Baseboard heaters do not touch any furniture or curtains, or other items stored on the floor.
• You have your chimneys and heating systems inspected, cleaned and repaired prior to the heating season.
• All portable heaters are placed at least three feet from bedding, furniture, and other flammable materials.
• Every fireplace is equipped with a sturdy metal screen.

Electrical

• You use as few extension cords and plug adapters as possible.
• Extension cords used are not tacked to walls, run under rugs, or through doorways.
• Small appliances, like the toaster, are unplugged when not in use.

Housekeeping

• Matches and lighters are kept out of the reach of children in a secure place.
• Paint, varnish, and other flammables are stored in sturdy metal containers and in a cool place.
• Ashes from fireplaces and barbecues are only disposed of in metal containers.
• Candles are only lit when someone is able to keep an eye on them, and placed in sturdy holders away from things that can burn.

Kitchen

• The stove and oven are kept clean of grease.
• In the event of a grease fire, you know that the best thing to do is to put a lid on it.
• Cooking is never left unattended.
• The oven is never used to heat the home.

Smoking

• Matches, lighters, and smoking materials are kept out of the reach of small children.
• “No Smoking In Bed” is a house rule.

Smoke Alarms

• Smoke alarms are installed on a ceiling or high on the wall outside of the bedrooms) on each level of the home.
• Smoke alarm batteries are changed once a year.
• Smoke alarms are tested and cleaned regularly.

Escape Plan

• You have a plan of escape showing two ways out of every room in your home, especially bedrooms.
• You regularly practice your escape plan by holding fire drills in your home.
• Windows used for escaping can be opened easily.
• Your house numbers are clearly visible from the street.

Items that you did not mark may put you at a higher risk from fire.
Take steps to make sure you are as fire safe as possible.

Fire Extinguishers

Properly operated, fire extinguishers can help stop a small fire before it has a chance to grow out of control. Home fire extinguishers can be purchased from a hardware or home improvement store. A multipurpose, ABC dry chemical extinguisher is the recommended model.

Remember the P.A.S.S. word
There are four basic steps to using a fire extinguisher.

Pull the safety pin by grabbing the ring and twisting.
Aim the hose at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle.
Sweep the hose from side to side while discharging.
and Get Out!

If the fire gets bigger, close the door to slow the spread of heat and smoke and evacuate.

Be prepared
Training and practice are the best ways to prepare for emergencies. Make certain you know the P.A.S.S. system and understand how to safely use a fire extinguisher before the need ever arises.

• Don’t force yourself to fight a fire that makes you uncomfortable or puts you at risk.
• Always let someone know and make certain 911 has been called before using an extinguisher on a fire.
• Fire extinguishers are small quick fixes. If you are unable to put out the fire with one extinguisher, leave and close the door behind you.
• Don’t let the fire come between you and your exit. Keep your back to the exit and the fire in front of you.

Apartment Fire Safety

Protection
Smoke alarms are required to protect the sleeping areas in your home. Tenants are responsible for testing and maintaining the alarm. If your smoke alarm uses batteries, replace them at least once a year. Test it by pushing the test button. It should sound loudly. If it is wired into your building, ask your manager how to test it.

If you notice that exit lights in the halls or stairwells are not lit, or are broken or vandalized, notify the manager. Corridors and stairwells should be kept clear of trash and other obstructions. Self-closing doors—such as those leading into stairwells—should never be blocked open. These doors keep flames and smoke from spreading.

Preparation
If you hear the building alarm, react immediately. Do not wait for instructions to begin evacuation. In a fire, seconds count.

If you discover a fire, pull the building alarm to alert others. If you can close doors to confine the fire, do so. Upon leaving the building, call 911 from a safe spot to make sure the fire department is coming. Be ready to tell them the address of the building.

Every family should have a fire escape plan—and should practice it. Know at lease two ways out of the building. Use the stairs, not the elevators. Be sure to close all doors as you pass through, including your apartment door. Choose a family meeting place outside and well away from the building.

Fire sprinklers are becoming more popular in single family homes. Studies indicate that the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems could save thousands of lives and eliminate hundreds of millions of dollars in property losses.

Improved technology, better materials, and more attractive, more affordable installations have all contributed to a more widespread acceptance of home fire sprinklers. These life- and property-saving systems are a good investement for new homebuyers.

How Sprinklers Work

A residential fire sprinkler system is simply a series of pipes tied into your home’s domestic water system. Heat-activated sprinkler heads are spaced throughout the home, their location depending on the specific design and layout of the house.

The heads typically have a small link or a glass tube inside, and when temperatures at the sprinkler head rise to approximately 165 degrees, the link will melt or the glass will shatter, activating the sprinkler head. Contrary to popular belief, the heads are not designed to all go off simultaneously. Only the ones in the path of the fire that are heated to the activation point will open and spray water.

Residential sprinkler systems should be installed by an experienced, licensed installation contractor, and need to meet NFPA standards as well as all local building codes.

Cost & Appearance

One common misconception about a residential system is that it’s too expensive to be practical. However, with the rise in popularity of these systems, prices have become much more affordable. A typical system, completely installed by a professional contractor, runs in the neighborhood of $1.00 per square foot of living space if installed when the house is being built (retrofits are somewhat higher). And, depending on the insurance company, part of the installation cost may be offset through savings in homeowner’s insurance premiums.

Advances in sprinkler technology have given rise to a new generation of heads that blend into the home’s décor with very low or covered profiles. Individual heads are also sized to the rooms they serve, allowing for the use of small, less obtrusive heads in some areas.

Myth and Facts

MYTH: Sprinklers may go off accidentally.
FACT: Loss records show that the probability of a sprinkler discharging accidentally due to a manufacturing defect is only 1 in 16 million sprinklers per year in service.
MYTH: Sprinklers heads will leak.
FACT: Sprinkler systems are under the same pressure as the plumbing system but are tested at 2-3 times higher pressure during installation.
MYTH: If one sprinkler head goes off, they all go off.
FACT: Sprinkler heads are designed
to react to temperatures in each room individually. Normally, only the sprinkler over the fire will activate.
MYTH: Sprinklers cause water damage.
FACT: Tests show that damage caused by water in a sprinklered fire is substantially less than damage caused by fire department hose streams in an identical unsprinklered fire and far less than damage caused by a fire which escapes early detection and suppression.
MYTH: Residential sprinklers don’t save lives.
FACT: The evidence on this point is overwhelming. There has not been a single residential fire fatality in a residence with a sprinkler system in communities that have been studied.

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,600 individuals and cause over $930 million in damage. There are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday.

Winter Holidays

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, holiday trees are involved in about 400 fires annually, resulting in 20 deaths, 70 injuries and an average of more than $15 million in property loss and damage. To ensure your happy holidays don’t turn into tragedy you need to follow a few extra fire safety precautions. The following information will help you make certain your celebrations are fire safe.

Candles

Candles can help create a festive atmosphere to your celebrations but they can also cause great damage if not used safely. December is the peak month for candle fires.

Always put candles in candlesticks before you light them. Don’t use lit candles as decorations on your holiday tree or near flammable decorations and curtains. Never leave candles unattended or within the reach of young children. Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.

Electricity

Cords and plugs are the leading type of equipment involved in the ignition of Christmas trees.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use tree lights. Any string lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulbs should not be used. Always unplug tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.

Holiday Trees

Trees are an important decoration for many holiday celebrations. Keep your tree away from fireplaces, portable and baseboard heaters. Try to keep fresh- cut trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water each day.

Dispose of fresh-cut trees before becoming dry to the extent that needles are falling and the color is fading. Contact your garbage disposal service to learn the details of their holiday tree removal program.

Cooking

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range. If you must leave the kitchen while preparing food, set a timer or carry a pot holder to remind you that food is cooking.

Fireplaces

Fireplaces can offer a beautiful source of heat when they are cared for properly.

• Make certain that your fireplace is cleaned once a year to remove creosote.
• Always use a screen when using the fireplace to prevent sparks from entering your home.
• Burn only seasoned wood. Never burn wrapping paper, packing materials or other rubbish.
• Wait until the ashes are cool to remove them from the fireplace. Always dispose of them in a non-combustable container.

What to Know

Your Evacuation Plan
Each high rise in the City of Seattle is required to have an emergency operations plan reviewed and approved by the Fire Department. Your responsibility is knowing your part of the plan and being ready to act on it when the need arises.

Your Floor Wardens
All non-residential high rises have tenant volunteers trained in your building’s evacuation procedures. Know who the floor wardens are on your floor.

Your Evacuation Route
Smoke from a fire, or a change in lighting due to a power outage, can make evacuation routes look different. Make sure you are familiar with the path of travel to your floor’s two exits.

How to Sound the Alarm
If your building has fire alarm pull stations, know where they are and how to activate them. Know the sound of the alarm so that once you hear it you can respond immediately.

Fire Extinguishers
Know where to find fire extinguishers, how and when to use them.

Fire Protection Systems
A variety of fire and life safety systems are found in a high rise building. Know what systems your building has so that you can work with them during an emergency response.

Your Meeting Place
Know your designated meeting location in the event of an evacuation. Standard procedure in high rise buildings is to go down four floors, using the stairs, and reenter the building to wait for further instructions. If you evacuate to the outside of the building, be sure to go to the meeting place which will be located well away from the building itself. Do not evacuate to the building lobby, as this will only impede firefighters responding to the alarm and hamper others trying to evacuate behind you.

Controlled Evacuation

In most high rise buildings, the fire alarm will only ring on a few floors in the direct vicinity of the fire. Recommended evacuation instructions for high rise buildings with zoned alarm systems are for those persons on the floor where the alarm is sounding to enter the exit stairwell, go down four (4) floors, and reenter the building unless the alarm is sounding on this floor also. This controlled method is preferred instead of evacuating the entire building at once.

The reasons for a controlled evacuation are:

1) Initial evacuation is limited to those people in the direct vicinity of the fire, as they are most at risk and need to be able to quickly evacuate the area of danger. In the vast majority of situations, only these floors need be evacuated.

2) Due to the number of building occupants, if evacuation is not controlled, backups are likely in the stairwells and the opportunities for injury or panic increase. Additionally, large numbers of people in the stairwells impede the progress of firefighters who are attempting to get up to investigate and fight the fire.

3) The majority of high rise buildings have pressurized stairwell shafts to keep smoke out of the stairwells. Closed stairwell doors are important for maintaining this high pressure. If stairwell doors are opened all at once, pressure is lost and smoke may enter the stairwells.

If You Discover a Fire

Isolate the Area
Close off the area if possible. Closed doors help confine the smoke and limit the spread of fire, heat and toxic gases.

Alert Others
If pull alarms are present, use one to notify other floor occupants of the need to evacuate to a safer location.

Call For Help
Notify the fire department by calling 911 from a safe location, then immediately contact the building manager.

Evacuate the Area
Stay low if smoke is present and go quickly to the nearest stairwell. Never attempt to use the elevator during a fire emergency. Follow your predetermined plan, and listen for directions from building personnel or the fire department.

If You Can’t Leave

Create an Area of Refuge
There are two main options for an area of refuge.

1) in the stairwell if there is only one individual seeking refuge and if they have two ambulatory assistants to remain with them or
2) on the floor in an enclosed room with a window and a telephone. Discuss your options with your floor warden before an emergency situation arises.

If You Choose the Stairwell

• Wait near the exit stairwell until everyone has evacuated the floor and traffic in the stairwell has cleared. Enter the stairwell with your two assistants and wait on the landing. Make sure that the door is securely closed and the floor warden knows you are there.
• Wait for further instructions. The Fire Department will send firefighters to assist you if evacuation is necessary. If you are waiting in the stairwell and traffic builds from the evacuation of upper floors, re-enter your floor to allow others to pass.
• Assistants should not attempt to carry you down the stairs unless conditions in the stairwell become threatening. If conditions do deteriorate, the assistants can then carry you to a safer area. If you do not have persons to wait with you, or if there are too many individuals to wait on the landing, an area of refuge should be sought on the floor.

If you choose a room on the floor as your area of refuge:

• Keep the door to the room closed. A closed door is a barrier to smoke.
• Use towels or clothing to block openings around doors or vents where smoke might enter. Place a signal in the window. The signal can be anything that will call attention to your location.
• If smoke or fire enters the room, call 9-1-1 to report your location. Stay low to the floor to breathe the best air. Put a wet cloth over your mouth or nose.
• It is advisable not to open or break windows. Often smoke from the outside of the building can enter through open windows. Breaking windows will put you at great risk to smoke entering from the outside, and will hamper rescue efforts below.

Fire and Life Safety Systems

High rise buildings in Seattle have many built-in safety features that increase safety if a fire does happen.

Fire Alarm System
All high rises have a fire alarm system monitored by an approved central station monitoring company. The Fire Department is notified immediately when an alarm is activated.

Elevators
Elevators are recalled to the building lobby when a fire alarm is activated. This keeps them from being used by building occupants.

Standpipes
Water pipes in the stairwells supply water for fire fighting operations and sprinklers.

Exit Stairwells
All high rises have at least two fire-rated exit stairwells, entered into through selfclosing, fire-rated doors.

Smoke Control
Tempered windows, HVAC system controls and stairwell/ elevator shaft pressurization may all be part of controlling smoke spread in a high rise building.

Sprinklers
Many high rises are equipped with sprinklers which greatly increase the building’s safety.

Emergency Generator
An on-site diesel generator runs the fire and life safety systems in the event of a power outage.

Trained Staff
Staff versed in emergency response procedures are required in each high rise.

Fire safety in health care facilities—hospitals, nursing homes, clinics—presents a specialized response. Patients and families have trusted you with the safety of people who, in many cases, cannot help themselves.

Healthcare Facilities

Fire is a serious threat for any health-care facility. Many patients have special needs that make them especially vulnerable in a fire emergency, thus increasing the risk of fire-casualties. Health-care staff must therefore make every effort to prevent fires from starting and must be prepared to respond if a fire breaks outs.

Fire Hazards

The most common cause of fire in health care facilities is from smoking materials. If smoking is permitted in your facility, all staff should know the smoking rules and be ready to enforce them.

• If smoking is allowed, large, deep, non-tip ashtrays should be used. Ashtrays should be emptied often into metal containers.
• Smoking should never be allowed where oxygen is in use or is stored.

Another major fire hazard is faulty or improperly used equipment. All equipment should be checked on a routine schedule. Be especially attentive to the following equipment hazards:

• Cracked or split cords or plugs on electrical equipment.
• Overloaded extension cords or cords placed where they may be stepped on.
• Dirty or greasy kitchen equipment.
• Full laundry lint screens.
• Any indicated malfunction of an oxygen machine or gas compressor.

Fire Response

Know the following:

• Your facility’s emergency plan.
• Location of fire alarms and how to operate them.
• How to shut off oxygen machines and other compressed gas systems.
• Location of fire extinguishers and how to use them.
• How to move patients safely and quickly if necessary.

Remember the RACE Against Fire

RESCUE any individual directly threatened by fire. Patient safety is the primary consideration, so move patients who are in immediate danger away from smoke and flames. Place the patient in a nearby room, behind a closed door.

ACTIVATE the alarm if you discover a fire or respond immediately to the alarm if you hear it sound.

CONFINE the fire by closing doors to slow the spread of smoke and flame. Close the doors of patients’ rooms. In general, residents are safer in a closed room than in a smoke-filled hallway.

EXTINGUISH the fire only if the fire is small, and if you know how to operate a fire extinguisher. Be sure the area has been cleared and the fire department called.

Trained emergency team members can make a significant difference in the success of a building fire response plan. Floor wardens are on the front lines of emergency response when a fire occurs. High rise buildings in particular benefit from the actions of these members of the emergency response team.

Floor Warden Duties

The primary role of floor wardens is to lead the evacuation of occupants from the floor during a fire alarm. Their quick actions, clear thinking and calm leadership are vital to ensuring the safety of building occupants during a fire emergency.

Begin Evacuation

Upon activation of the alarm, floor wardens should quickly tour the floor and alert all occupants that a fire alarm has sounded and evacuation is required. Particular attention should be paid to isolated offices and individuals who may be deaf or hard of hearing. An assertive manner and authoritative voice will help motivate those who are hesitant about evacuating. Instruct occupants to use the exit stairwells, not the elevators, to evacuate the floor.

Close Doors

While checking the floor and alerting occupants, the floor warden should also close the doors to all rooms. Closing doors helps prevent fire spread, as well as limiting the spread of smoke and toxic gases.

Meeting Place Reminder

As tenants exit the floor, floor wardens should remind them to stay to the right of the stairwell and where their designated meeting place is. It is also a good idea to remind people not to enter a floor where the alarm is sounding and to remain at the meeting place until notified.

Inform Fire Safety Director Or Fire Department Of Problems

Persons remaining on the floor or in the stairwell should be reported to the building’s Fire Safety Director as soon as possible. Who will then ensure that firefighters are sent to assist those in need if evacuation is required.

Assign Assistants To Those Persons Who Use Wheelchairs

Two persons (and alternates) should be assigned to each individual whose limited mobility would prevent their evacuating by way of the exit stairwells. This should be done before a fire emergency so that all three persons will have time to become familiar with their course of action.

For Persons Unable To Use Exit Stairs

Persons who are unable to negotiate exit stairs should review the following items:

• Wait near the exit stairwell until everyone has evacuated the floor and traffic in the stairwell has cleared.
• Enter the stairwell with two assistants and wait on the landing. Make sure that the door is securely closed.
• Wait for further instructions. The Fire Department will send firefighters to assist if evacuation is necessary.
• If traffic again builds from the evacuation of upper floors while waiting on the stairwell landing, it may be best to reenter the floor to allow others to pass.
• Assistants should not attempt to carry anyone down the stairs unless conditions in the stairwell deteriorate and become threatening.
• If there are no assistants or if there are too many individuals to wait on the landing, an area of refuge should be sought on the floor.
• An area of refuge has a door to block the spread of smoke and heat, a phone to call 911 for evacuation assistance and a window to aid in signaling for help.

Every 15 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States. The major causes of home fire deaths are smoking materials, heating, arson, and children playing with matches and lighters. Any items you are not able to mark off of this checklist may put you at a higher risk from fire.

Smoke Alarms

A working smoke detector cuts the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly half.

• Smoke alarms are installed on a ceiling or high on the wall outside of the bedroom(s) on each level of your home. Consider putting smoke alarms inside bedrooms too.
• You make certain that your smoke alarm battery is changed once a year.
• You test and clean your smoke alarm(s) each month.

Smoking

Fires started by smoking materials cause more fatalities than any other type of fire.

• Matches, lighters, and smoking materials are kept out of the reach of small children.
• No Smoking In Bed is a rule in your home.

Kitchen

Most cooking fires start when someone has left the kitchen while cooking something on the stove.

• You keep your stove and oven clean of grease to prevent the occurrences of a fire.
• In the event of a grease fire, you know that the best thing to do is to put a lid on it.
• You always remain in the kitchen while the stove or oven are on. Never leave cooking unattended.
• You never use your oven to heat your home.

Heating

Remember to turn portable heaters off and to allow fires to go out before leaving home or going to sleep.

• Your furniture and other belongings do not touch baseboard or portable heaters.
• You have your chimney(s) and heating systems inspected, cleaned and repaired prior to the heating season.

Electrical

Each year, hundreds of people die and thousands more are injured in electrical accidents.

• You only buy electrical appliances that have the seal of a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• You use as few extension cords and plug adapters as possible.
• Extension cords are in the open, not tacked to walls, under rugs, or through doorways.

Housekeeping

You can protect your household and your property by following fire safe practices.

• You practice good housekeeping by keeping your home cleared of papers, mattresses, broken furniture, and other combustible odds and ends.
• Paint, varnish, and other flammables are stored in sturdy metal containers and in a cool place.
• Put ashes from the fireplace and barbecues in metal containers and only dispose of the contents when cold.

Escape Plan

Fire prevention and preparation can save lives!

• You have a plan of escape showing two ways out of every room in your home, especially bedrooms.
• You regularly practice your escape plan by holding fire drills in your home.
• Every phone is labeled with a 911 sticker and your address.