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, organiation, supervision, and
periodic drills help eliminate mista!es and misunderstandings. and are critical to the safe evacuation of high-
rise occupants.
"hen 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. $he document should describe fire detection systems, fire reporting systems, communication
systems, and the emergency evacuation plans provided by the building. %vacuation routes and emergency
phone numbers should be posted prominently on each floor for all to see. &nce the high-rise building#s
emergency systems have been determined, an emergency evacuation plan specific to the tenant#s
wor!space should be written by each company and distributed to all its employees. $he potential for high
human losses ma!es it imperative that the company#s evacuation plans be reviewed with all employees and
updated as necessary. &ne 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 recognie alarm signals
and follow established procedures and evacuation routes. %mployees should be trained to !now where alarm
systems are located, how to use them, and how to contact outside emergency personnel. 'loor wardens and
bac!up 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. $he evacuation plan should include a designated meeting
location, outside and safely away from the building, where wor!ers 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. (pon instruction, employees should exit the wor! area
following the established evacuation plan, proceed down stairwells in an orderly manner, and report to the
designated meeting place. %levators must be avoided. )uring a fire, fire doors should remain closed to slow
the spread of smo!e or fire and priority should be given to those floors directly involved in or immediately
ad*acent to the emergency. 'ire evacuation may re+uire employees first test exit doors for heat, avoiding
those that are hot and choosing alternate exit routes and crawling under smo!e 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 crac!s in doors to prevent smo!e from entering the room and
shut windows if smo!e rushes in.
,ovement 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. /ommunication channels must be
established to provide accessible,direct, and no-delay reporting.
$he 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 /al0&12A or &12A standards that
may apply to individual wor!sites. Because of differences in high-rise design, construction, fire-resistant
+ualities, height, floor layout, usage, and occupancy each building may presents a uni+ue problems in
emergency evacuations. /hec! state or local codes and regulations concerning fire and emergency
evacuation particular to your building and area. $he 3ational 1afety /ouncil has created reference
document, )ata 1heet 4-565-7eaf.86, %vacuation 1ystems for 2igh-7ise 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 wor!place haards or situations."