All building owners and managers must be able to identify the risk of emergencies and create responsive measures to minimize the damage. However, this process is more complex in a high-rise building. Here’s how to customize a robust fire safety plan that will reinforce your high-rise structure and protect all the tenants inside.
The Unique Risks of Fire in a High-Rise Building
The nature of a high-rise building poses several unique fire safety challenges. These structures have larger occupancy rates than other residential or office buildings. They’re also harder to evacuate, considering that tenants cannot use elevators to escape a fire, and must deal with heavy smoke concentration within enclosed stairwells.
Even with the right fire safety equipment, flames spread vertically in a high-rise building, which can rapidly turn the whole structure into an inferno. Not only does this make it difficult for first responders to contain the flames, but Intense winds, low water pressure, or other dangers can be more pronounced in these structures as well.
Remedying fire code violations and implementing new technological innovations will make your high-rise building much safer overall. But with that said, the unique fire safety challenges require a tailored response. Let’s discuss what this practically entails.
Creating a Fire Safety Plan for Your High-Rise Building
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers some actionable tips for creating a fire evacuation plan, but it’s crucial to modify these strategies to accommodate a high-rise building. In a traditional single-family home, fire risks (such as kitchen appliances or electrical cords) are relatively simple to locate. But in a taller structure, fire risks associated with commercial-grade equipment are generally more labor intensive to keep tabs on.
The first step is to identify those potential dangers, then you’ll need to create an evacuation plan that directs occupants away from hazards as quickly as possible. It’s not enough to install basic fire safety equipment—it’s vital to implement route guides and floor monitors to ensure no one is lost in the shuffle during an evacuation. You can even designate a fire safety warden to contact emergency personnel and communicate with first responders.
You’ll also want to allocate the right communication devices to these folks. Your fire warden and floor monitors should all have two-way radios, so they can coordinate with each other and the first response agencies. This also makes it easier to communicate any escape route changes, so everyone can make it out of the building in a safe, timely fashion.
Using Fire Safety Equipment to Minimize Fire Risks
The next step is to outfit your high-rise building with the latest fire safety technologies. Alarm systems, smoke detectors, and other monitoring equipment will alert occupants to a fire the moment flames spark. These devices can also transmit an automatic signal to your local fire department, which saves critical time in an emergency.
Installing a fire sprinkler system will also guarantee a quick response to fires. When this system detects heat, the closest sprinkler heads activate, containing the blaze in just a couple minutes. In addition, tenants can use fire extinguishers to snuff out small flames, so equip each floor with a fire extinguisher in an accessible location near the emergency exit.
Prioritize Fire Safety Equipment Maintenance and Inspections
Regular inspections and maintenance keeps all fire safety equipment in reliable working order and compliant with the latest municipal codes. Fire sprinklers systems, in particular, require weekly inspections to monitor the sensors and water pressure, along with quarterly and annual inspections to test the plumbing, fittings, and other internal mechanisms.
Fire extinguishers also require both monthly and annual inspections. You can perform a visual check about once a month to scan each unit for corrosion or physical damage. But you’ll need a professional to inspect the devices’ functionality at least once a year. In the event a fire occurs, these routine inspections can be life-saving.
Upgrade Your Fire Sprinklers for Maximum Protection
A&A Fire Protection offers trusted fire sprinkler system inspections, upgrades, maintenance, and installation services. We can also customize these solutions for the unique needs of a high-rise building. Contact us to safeguard your commercial or residential structure today.
