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Plan For High-Rise Evacuations
A "high-rise building" is generally described as a completed, occupied structure for which the roof access level exceeds the maximum height of rescue capability from street level by the fire department. In an emergency, when a building evacuation is necessary, getting people safely out of a high-rise building presents special challenges. Because of its inherent structure, panic of occupants in the early stages of a high-rise evacuation can contribute to high casualty losses. Preplanning, organization, supervision, and periodic drills help eliminate mistakes and misunderstandings. and are critical to the safe evacuation of high-rise occupants.
When leases are signed by tenants occupying high-rise buildings, a document describing the building's emergency evacuation policy and plans should be provided by the building management and agreed upon by the tenants. The document should describe fire detection systems, fire reporting systems, communication systems, and the emergency evacuation plans provided by the building. Evacuation routes and emergency phone numbers should be posted prominently on each floor for all to see. Once the high-rise building's emergency systems have been determined, an emergency evacuation plan specific to the tenant's workspace should be written by each company and distributed to all its employees. The potential for high human losses makes it imperative that the company's evacuation plans be reviewed with all employees and updated as necessary. One person in the company should be designated to monitor the plan, including proper documentation for regular inspections and follow-up to maintain detection and communication systems.
It's important for companies to conduct periodic evacuation drills so employees can recognize alarm signals and follow established procedures and evacuation routes. Employees should be trained to know where alarm systems are located, how to use them, and how to contact outside emergency personnel. Floor wardens and backup personnel should be appointed to monitor employee evacuation and identify personnel with special needs or disabilities who may need help in evacuating. If there is more than one shift, each shift should have its own emergency evacuation floor team. The evacuation plan should include a designated meeting location, outside and safely away from the building, where workers can gather for a head count and alert emergency personnel if anyone is missing. After a drill, it's important to give employees the opportunity to point out problems experienced in the drill and to offer suggestions for improvements.
In general, in the event of an emergency high-rise evacuation, employees should listen to and follow the building's public address system instructions. Upon instruction, employees should exit the work area following the established evacuation plan, proceed down stairwells in an orderly manner, and report to the designated meeting place. Elevators must be avoided. During a fire, fire doors should remain closed to slow the spread of smoke or fire and priority should be given to those floors directly involved in or immediately adjacent to the emergency. Fire evacuation may require employees first test exit doors for heat, avoiding those that are hot and choosing alternate exit routes and crawling under smoke levels to breathe cleaner air.
Building control may be responsible for determining the safest and most efficient means of evacuation, depending on the nature of the emergency and scope of damage. In some emergency situations, it may be safer for employees to remain in the building until notified that it is safe to evacuate. In such circumstances, employees should try to remain calm and proceed to a room with an outside window, opening it if it is safely possible, then telephone for help. It's helpful to rescuers if occupants stay by windows or where rescuers can see them and wave a light-colored cloth to attract attention. In the case of a fire, occupants should stuff clothing towels or newspapers around the cracks in doors to prevent smoke from entering the room and shut windows if smoke rushes in.
Movement and evacuation should be controlled through communication. Proper movements in evacuation and to refuge areas depends on complete and accurate communication between building control (building and fire authorities) and all assigned floor-evacuation control teams. Communication channels must be established to provide accessible,direct, and no-delay reporting.
The information contained in this bulletin is suggested as guidelines and should not be considered a substitute for a site-specific evacuation program nor does it detail specific Cal/OSHA or OSHA standards that may apply to individual worksites. Because of differences in high-rise design, construction, fire-resistant qualities, height, floor layout, usage, and occupancy each building may presents a unique problems in emergency evacuations. Check state or local codes and regulations concerning fire and emergency evacuation particular to your building and area. The National Safety Council has created reference document, Data Sheet 1-656-Reaf.85, Evacuation Systems for High-Rise Buildings, which may be of assistance to you in developing your emergency evacuation.
"Information or recommendations contained in these articles were obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the date of publication. Information is only advisory and does not presume to be exhaustive or inclusive of all workplace hazards or situations."
The above evaluations and/or recommendations are for general guidance only and should not be relied
upon for legal compliance purposes. They are based solely on the information provided to us and relate
only to those conditions specifically discussed. We do not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that your workplace is safe or healthful or that it complies with all laws, regulations or standards.
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