	AllExperts > Fire & Emergency Careers, And Fire Safety Info
	Search

Ask a question about Fire & Emergency Careers, And Fire Safety Info
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

About Frank Billington
Expertise
Let me help you determine the most effective place to install your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and other home fire safety equipment. I can give you tips on home fire and safety inspection. So often the poor placement and care of life safety tools results in loss of life and property that could so easily be avoided. As a firefighter since 1993, I am intimately familiar with fire behavior, and steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

Experience
I have been in firefighting since 1993. I determined to become a firefighter at the age of 11, and achieved that goal. But God and my family come first.

You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Protecting your Home and Family > Fire & Emergency Careers, And Fire Safety Info > alarm in apt building - have to exit always?

Fire & Emergency Careers, And Fire Safety Info - alarm in apt building - have to exit always?

Expert: Frank Billington - 10/31/2009

Question
QUESTION: your in the US and I'm in BC,canada but I'd at least like to get your take on if generally speaking it is the law for tenants in an apt. building to leave the building when the fire alarm goes off or is it not mandatory? would you be guessing for rules in canada or is it a kind of universal understanding always leave the building even if its a false alarm? penalties for not doing so?

ANSWER: I am not personally aware of any "law", per se, that requires evacuation of a building only at the sound of a fire alarm. Not asying one doesn't exist, only that I am not aware of anything like that in the area I work in.

That said, in my opinion it would be extremely foolish to not evacuate in the event of an alarm, unless you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the situation was safe.

In addition, if fire and/or law enforcement arrives and orders evacuation, this is a different situation, and you would generally be required by law to follow the orders of the officer or firefighter when they are acting in the course of their duties.

I hope this helps answer your question. Is there a specific situation that took place that brings this up?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I was watching an apt. building across the way where I live with some people milling about having gone outside during a fire alarm and some people still in thier apts' carrying on like a false alarm is nothing new. apparently the false alarms over there a common. and the firemen dont seem to ask people to leave, again like you said unless there were a real emergency.

Answer
What you saw is all too common. After a while, for frequent and known false alarms, it takes longer for firefighters to clear the building of people than to just find and correct the problem with the alarm system.

When in doubt, though, always get out.

Thanks. Let me know if I can help you in any way further.

Add to this Answer Ask a Question