- Talk to your landlord, superintendent, or building manager.
- Know the emergency procedures outlined in your building’s fire safety plan.
- Create a home escape plan and practice it with everyone in your home.
- Every fire is different. Act quickly when you hear the alarm or discover a fire.
High-rise fire safety
Know you building. Know your plan. Know what to do.
What is a high-rise building
The Ontario Building Code defines Residential “high-rise buildings” as those being seven storeys or more in height or more specifically the floor level of the highest storey of that major occupancy is more than 18 m above grade.
High-rise buildings are designed to be safe.
High-rise buildings are designed to be more fire-safe than an average single-family dwelling. Floors and ceilings are constructed with fire-resistant materials and are separated into fire compartments. The compartments act as barriers to resist fire from spreading. Floors, walls, and ceilings provide a barrier against the spread of fire, and suite doors must close automatically to protect openings.
High-rise buildings have interior fire-separated stairwell shafts. Signs should be posted within stairwells indicating which floor level you are on. Keep stairwell doors closed at all times to preserve the safety of these escape stairs. Every floor has access to at least two separate exit stairways which provide a protected path to the exterior.
High-rise buildings contain a fire alarm system designed to alert occupants when activated. Types of fire alarm devices include smoke detectors, thermal detectors and sprinkler flow switches. A fire alarm system provides early warning to occupants of a fire condition.
Some High-rise buildings have sprinkler systems to put water directly on the source of the fire. High-rise buildings also contain a standpipe system, that is an interior water supply system of fire hose cabinets on each floor for use by firefighters. Most buildings also have portable fire extinguishers in these cabinets.
What to do if a fire happens in your building
What to do if there is a fire in your suite
If there is a fire in your suite, it is not safe to stay inside. Stay away from poisonous smoke.
- Everyone must evacuate immediately.
- Close, but do not lock, all doors behind you.
- Pull the red fire alarm pull station next to the stairwell on your floor and yell, “Fire!”
- Leave the building using the nearest exit stairway.
- Do not use the elevator.
- Never go to the roof. Smoke rises, and the doors to the roof are locked, so you could become trapped.
- Call the fire department at 9-1-1 from a safe location. Never assume this has been done.
- Meet the firefighters when they arrive and tell them where the fire is.
- Once you are out, stay out.
- Do not go back into the building until the fire department tells you it is safe.
When you hear the building fire alarm
Stay in your suite (if it is safe to do so) until you are rescued or told to leave.
- If the fire is not in your suite and you can safely evacuate the building, use the nearest smoke-free stairwell to exit the building.
- If the fire is not in your suite and you cannot safely evacuate the building, you are typically safe to remain in your suite. Your suite walls, floors, and ceilings are constructed with non-combustible materials and are designed to protect you from smoke and fire.
- If you cannot safely exit, keep smoke from entering your suite. Use duct tape to seal cracks around the door and place wet towels at the bottom of the door. Seal vents or air ducts in the same way. See the recommended High-Rise Survival Kit below.
- If you cannot safely exit, call 9-1-1 and advise the fire department dispatcher of your location.
- Await further instructions from the fire department.
If smoke starts to enter your suite and you are unable to evacuate:
- Call the fire department at 9-1-1, tell them where you are, and then move to the balcony. Close the doors behind you.
- If you do not have a balcony, go to the most smoke-free room, close the door, and seal it with wide tape and towels. If necessary, open the window for fresh air. Show emergency personnel where you are by hanging a sheet from the window or balcony.
- Keep low to the floor, where the air is cleaner.
- Listen for instructions from authorities.
High-rise survival kit
- Wet towel – Place at the base of a door.
- Duct tape – Tape over door and vent openings.
- Foil wrap – Use to cover vent openings.
- Whistle – Use to signal for help.
- Flashlight – Use in case of power failure, smoke, or to signal for help.
- Bright-coloured cloth – Hang up in a window, or on a balcony, to identify your location.
- Cotton bedsheet – If smoke is heavy in your room, soak the bed sheet with water and make a tent near an open window.
- Washcloth – Place the wet cloth over your mouth and nose to aid breathing in smoke-filled areas.
- Fire safety plan – Have a copy of your building’s emergency procedures available.
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