High Rise Fire Safety: What You Need to Know

High-rise buildings present unique fire challenges: long evacuation times, physical difficulty descending many flights of stairs, and potential for smoke and fire to spread vertically through shafts and HVAC systems. Understanding these challenges is essential for occupant safety in any multi-story building.

Never use elevators during a fire. Elevator shafts become chimneys for smoke and fire, and power failures can trap occupants between floors. Always use the stairs. If stairs feel hot or contain smoke, use an alternate stairwell or shelter in place.

Many high-rises have pressurized stairwells designed to keep smoke out. These systems work only if doors remain closed. Familiarize yourself with alternate stairwells in your building and the location of fire extinguishers and pull stations on your floor.

If you cannot evacuate, seal the door with wet towels, call 911 to report your location, and move to a window to signal rescuers. Stay low—smoke fills from the top down.