Fire Safety for Residents of Apartment Buildings
If you live in an apartment block, it is important to be familiar with its fire safety features and to work with your neighbours and landlord to ensure your home is as fire-safe as possible. Here is what you should be aware of.
Those who live in apartment blocks and other high rise buildings must consider additional factors when planning evacuation routes and implementing fire safety measures.
Know your Building's Fire Safety Features
Fully sprinklered buildings offer the best protection but a variety of other features can be implemented in apartment buildings. Ask your landlord, building manager or building management company about the fire safety features of your building. Request information about fire alarms, emergency lighting, sprinklers, voice communication procedures and evacuation plans. They might be able to provide bespoke guidance on what to do when a fire alarm sounds.
Residents should insist that all fire safety systems are kept in good working order. Remember, your management fee is paid to ensure that these features are maintained.
If you use a wheelchair, walker or are unable to use stairs, speak with your landlord or building manager about purchasing an evacuation chair. You should also know where the refuge areas of your building are so that, in the event of a fire, you can await the arrival of fire fighters here.
Three Key Steps for Fire Safety
Here are some key actions you can take to minimise the risk posed by a fire in your apartment building.
- Know the locations of all available exit stairs from your floor in case the nearest one is blocked by fire or smoke.
- Check that all exit and stairwell doors are clearly marked, free from obstruction and aren't locked or blocked by security bars. Report any issues to your landlord.
- Learn the location of your building’s fire alarms and know how to use them. They are usually placed in red boxes near exits and stairways.
What to do in the Event of a Fire
If your building's fire alarm goes off or you notice a fire in your apartment building, follow these steps.
- If there is a fire, push the fire alarm on your way out of the building to notify Dublin Fire Brigade and your neighbours.
- Leave the building by the fastest route, but do not use any elevators or lifts.
- As you leave, close all doors behind you and be sure to take your key.
- If there is smoke or fire on your way out, use an alternative evacuation route where possible. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your way out.
- Go to your outside meeting point and stay there. Call Dublin Fire Brigade on 999 or 112. If someone is trapped in the building, let us know as soon as possible.
If you can’t get out of your apartment because of fire, smoke or a disability, you can stuff wet towels or sheets around the door and vents to keep smoke out. Call Dublin Fire Brigade and tell us where you are located within the building.
It is also a good idea to open a window slightly and wave a bright cloth to signal your location. However, be prepared to close the window as it may make the smoke worse.
It can take fire fighters a long time to evacuate a high-rise building, so try to remain calm and communicate with the fire department to monitor evacuation status.
Dublin Fire Brigade's Fire Prevention Programmes
Making Dublin safe from fires and other emergencies is at the heart of what we do. Dublin Fire Brigade runs a number of fire safety programmes, which aim to get the community involved in the prevention of fires.
If you would like a fire officer to talk to your school, business or community, get in touch below.