Fire Safety at Your Apartment Complex

Fire safety measures are extremely important to protect your property and prevent loss of life. Since residents of apartment complex live closely, they affect each other’s risks associated with fire. Apartment fires have the potential to spread fire, heat and smoke throughout building affecting safety of all residents.

Be Prepared for a Fire Emergency

1. Install and Maintain Proper Smoke Alarms.

   Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the house. Keep alarm clean of dust by regularly vacuuming over and around them. Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once or twice a year and replace the entire unit after ten years of service, or as the manufacturer recommends.

1. Awareness about the Building Evacuation Plan.

   Directions to Safety Exit and Fire Escape should be properly marked on each floor. Ensure you have at least two primary routes and a route in case you cannot exit through primary route. Never block or lock the route which will trap you in case of emergency. Be sure your building manager posts evacuation plans in high traffic areas, such as lobbies.

2. Compulsory Fire extinguisher in Every Apartments and in Lobbies.

   Each flats or family in an apartment must have proper fire extinguisher and each adult member in family must know ho to use them. Use CommonFloor Asset Maintenance Tracker to setup reminders for refilling of these extinguishers.

3. Have Regular Fire Drills.

   Have regular fire drills (recommended One drill every six months) to train community members or handling fire emergencies and be become aware of the evacuation plans and sound of fire alarms.

4. Get your belongings and Home Insured.

   Insure your property and appliance against fire, theft and other accidents that can damage them. In case of fire or natural calamity which leads to loss of property and belonging, the same can be claimed from your insurance company. Know more about home insurance.

When Facing a Fire Emergency

1. Call the Fire Rescue Department and Ambulance.

   Do not assume anyone else has already called the fire department. Have Emergency Contacts posted next to the Phone and keep these contacts saved in your cell phone.

1. Alert all family members.

   Alert all members of your family and make your way out together. Never try to get things or belongings when fire break out. If your primary exit is blocked, use other way to leave your premises. Do not open a door if you feel it is hot. Stay calm and help other to control the situation. Once you are out safe, do not go back to house unless fire service tells you it is safe.

2. Do not use lift.

   During fire in your building or apartment, leave the premises by nearest available exit and close all doors and windows behind you. Never use lift for leaving the premises or apartment. Do not open any other doors other than the one you need to escape.

3. If trapped in your room or building.

   If you trapped in your room or building during fire try to stop smoke and fire getting into your room. Use towels, blankets or spare cloths to block the gaps in the door. Go to window, shout for help and once you heard by fire service and help is on the way, stay near to the floor by the window. Stay calm and co-operate with fire service, don’t try to jump or run.

4. If fire on your clothes.

   Stop, drop and roll if your cloth catches fire. Do not get panic or run, it will make fire burn faster and leads to more injuries or burn.
   

When NOT to use a Fire Extinguisher

If you cannot easily and quickly put out a fire then it’s too dangerous to try. You should not use your fire extinguisher if:

• You aren’t sure it’s the right extinguisher for the type of fire.
• You’re too nervous or forgot how to use it.
• The fire is bigger than a typical trash can.
• Flames are quickly spreading.
• The fire looks as though it could block your escape route.

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