Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4the fire can spread inside the building walls to other apartments and floors, in addition to the flame, heat and smoke that can be generated by the burning of the contents of the building. Be sure to check Part I (Building Information Section) of this fire safety plan to see what type of building you are in. Means of Egress All residential buildings have at least one means of egress (way of exiting the building), and most have at least two. There are several different types of egress: Interior Stairs: All buildings have stairs leading to the street level. These stairs may be enclosed or unenclosed. Unenclosed stairwells (stairs that are not separated from the hallways by walls and doors) do not prevent the spread of flame, heat and smoke. Since flame, heat and smoke generally rise, unenclosed stairwells may not ensure safe egress in the event of a fire on a lower floor. Enclosed stairs are more likely to permit safe egress from the building, if the doors are kept closed. It is important to get familiar with the means of egress available in your building. Exterior Stairs: Some buildings provide access to the apartments by means of stairs and corridors that are outdoors. The fact that they are outdoors and do not trap heat and smoke enhances their safety in the event of a fire, provided that they are not obstructed. Fire Tower Stairs: These are generally enclosed stairwells in a “tower” separated from the building by air shafts open to the outside. The open air shafts allow heat and smoke to escape from the building. Fire Escapes: Many older buildings are equipped with a fire escape on the outside of the building, which is accessed through a window or balcony. Fire escapes are considered a “secondary” or alternative means of egress, and are to be used if the primary means of egress (stairwells) cannot be safely used to exit the building because they are obstructed by flame, heat or smoke. Exits: Most buildings have more than one exit. In addition to the main entrance to the building, there may be separate side exits, rear exits, basement exits, roof exits and exits to the street from stairwells. Some of these exits may have alarms. Not all of these exits may lead to the street. Roof exits may or may not allow access to adjoining buildings. Be sure to review Part I (Building Information Section) of this fire safety plan and familiarize yourself with the different means of egress from your building. Fire Sprinkler Systems A fire sprinkler system is a system of pipes and sprinkler heads that when triggered by the heat of a fire automatically discharges water that extinguishes the fire. The sprinkler system will continue to discharge water until it is turned off. When a sprinkler system activates, an alarm is sounded. Sprinkler systems are very effective at preventing fire from spreading beyond the room in which it starts. However, the fire may still generate smoke, which can travel throughout the building. Apartment buildings constructed before March 1999 were generally not required to have fire sprinkler systems. Some apartment buildings are equipped with sprinkler systems, but only in compactor chutes and rooms or boiler rooms. All apartment buildings constructed after March 1999 are required by law to be equipped with fire sprinkler systems throughout the building. Be sure to review Part I (Building Information Section) of this fire safety plan to learn whether your building is equipped with fire sprinkler systems. Interior Fire Alarm Systems Although generally not required, some residential buildings are equipped with interior fire alarm systems that are designed to warn building occupants of a fire in the building. Interior fire alarm systems generally consist of a panel located in a lobby or basement, with manual pull stations located near the main entrance and by each stairwell door. Interior fire alarm systems are usually manually activated (must be pulled by hand) and do not automatically transmit a signal to the Fire Department, so a telephone call must still be made to 911 or the Fire Department dispatcher. Do not assume that the Fire Department has been notified because you hear a fire alarm or smoke detector sounding in the building. Be sure to review Part I (Building Information Section) of this fire safety plan to learn whether your building is equipped with an interior fire alarm system and whether the alarm is transmitted to the Fire Department, and familiarize yourself with the location of the manual pull stations and how to activate them in the event of a fire. Public Address Systems Although generally not required, some residential buildings are equipped with public address systems that enable voice communications from a central location, usually in the building lobby. Public address systems are different from building intercoms, and usually consist of loudspeakers in building hallways and/or stairwells. Starting in July 2009, residential buildings that are more than 125 feet in height are required by law to be equipped with a one way voice communication system that will enable Fire Department personnel to make announcements from the lobby to building occupants in their apartments or in building stairwells. Be sure to review Part I (Building Information Section) of this fire safety plan to learn whether your building is equipped with a public address system. EMERGENCY FIRE SAFETY AND EVACUATION INSTRUCTIONS IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL. HOWEVER, THERE MAY BE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS IN WHICH YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO DECIDE ON A COURSE OF ACTION TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD. THIS FIRE SAFETY PLAN IS INTENDED TO ASSIST YOU IN SELECTING THE SAFEST COURSE OF ACTION IN SUCH AN EMERGENCY. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO FIRE SAFETY PLAN CAN ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF THE POSSIBLE FACTORS AND CHANGING CONDITIONS; YOU WILL HAVE TO DECIDE FOR YOURSELF WHAT IS THE SAFEST COURSE OF ACTION UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.