Reference:
(Fireservice.co.uk)
(Fireservice.co.uk)
UK Government
Fire safety Advice for residents of High Rise Buildings.
YOUR BUILDING WILL HAVE A FIRE SAFETY PLAN. IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO DO IN A FIRE EMERGENCY
KNOW IT and UNDERSTAND IT and USE IT.
Owners of High rise buildings are required to risk assess there buildings. This will result in a fire plan that will detail what residents should do if there is a fire. Some High rise buildings have a "stay-put" policy (sometimes called a defend-in-place") which states that occupants need not evacuate unless the incident is directly affecting there accommodation. Stay-put ONLY applies to buildings that meet criteria for fire resistance between floors, ceilings and walls and are well maintained.
Your local Fire station will be able to help you further with Fire safety advice covering prevention and what to do if there is a fire.
IF IN ANY DOUBT - GET OUT - STAY OUT!
GENERAL FIRE SAFETY ADVICE.
Fire Safety Advice - High-Rise Buildings
You are not at any more risk from fire because you are living in a high-rise flat. Most fires don’t spread further than one or two rooms. If there is a fire in another flat in the building, it is unlikely to affect your own home, but you must stay vigilant and be ready to evacuate should the need arise.
Make sure that you have working a smoke alarm
If your alarm is bleeping from time to time, you need to fit a new battery. Press the button to test it once every week. If the alarm doesn’t work, contact the the Landlord to get it repaired immediately. If you own your flat, replace the battery yourself immediately (if it has replaceable batteries). If the alarm has a battery, change the battery every year, even if it’s still working. Some alarms have ten year batteries that require much less maintenance but the batteries in these are not normally replaceable.
If the building has a communal alarm (one that services the whole building), make sure you know what to do if it sounds.
Make sure that you have a Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm.
If your flat has mains gas (cooking or heating) ensure you have a working CO Alarm. Although they are not for detecting fires, they are life savers.
Make an escape plan for your home
You don’t have to be an expert, just think it through. How would you get out at night? How would you get the kids out? Plan to make one room your ‘safe room’ in case you can’t escape. It’s best if it’s a room with a window and a phone. If you are trapped, go to the balcony, but don’t think about jumping, wait for the fire brigade. Don’t use the lifts. Tell everyone in your home what the escape plan is and tell everyone where the door key is. Practice what you would do if you had a real fire. If your building has two staircases remember that you can use either, not just the one you normally use.
Fire extinguishers and Hose reels
Unless you are fully trained and competent DO NOT attempt to fight the fire
Keep your escape route clear
Make sure there is no rubbish in your hall and report any obstructions you see in corridors and stairways. Make sure everyone knows where the stairs are. Practice what you would do if you had a real fire.
Evacuation.
Ensure that everyone is out of the flat. Close the door behind you. Don't use the lift. Walk briskly to the nearest staircase that is safe to use. Stay together. Make your way down and out the building. When outside ensure that everyone from your flat is outside and is accounted for. If any person was in the flat was unable to leave or is unaccounted for tell the Fire service immediately.
If there is a fire in your flat
Try to keep calm. Shout to let everyone in the flat know, then get out and stay out. Don’t stop for valuables, your life is more important. Don’t go looking for the fire. Check doors and door handles, if they are warm to touch, don't open them. If there is a lot of smoke, crawl on the floor, the air will be clearer there. Phone the fire brigade. It’s free to dial 999 from any phone. If you can’t get out because the fire is blocking your escape, get everyone into the ‘safe room’. Pack cushions, bedding, pillows or towels at the bottom of the door to block the smoke. Open the window and wave a sheet to let the firefighters know that you are there. If you have any sticky tape, put that around the door to seal it. If you have any water, wet the door if it starts getting hot.
No one should jump from a high-rise, ever.
always remember....
