More Fire & Emergency Careers, And Fire Safety Info Answers
Question Library
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 Dominick G. Kasmauskas
Expertise
Former NFPA Fire Service Section, Director, Executive Board. NJ Certified Firefighter, Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector, Haz Mat Instructor. Volunteer Firefighter since 1974, Capt. Lieut. and President. National Fire Academy Fire Officer II certified. Presently a Regional Manager for the Natl Fire Sprinkler Assn and a certified fire protection specialist and a certified code enforcement official in NY State.
Experience
Various awards and citations.
My oddest "call" was at my company picnic, in a remote area, when someone at the picnic had heart failure. While trying to perform CPR I was also giving directions to ALS and BLS to get to the scene.
Every alarm is an accomplishment.
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Protecting your Home and Family > Fire & Emergency Careers, And Fire Safety Info > fire alarm - always exit building?
Expert: Dominick G. Kasmauskas - 10/31/2009
Question
I'm in BC, canada but I'd at least like to get your take on an issue generally, when the fire alarm goes off in an apartment building do the tenants always have to exit the building even if its a false alarm? are the rules different for states and even countries or is it a universal rule or perhaps even the law to always exit a building when an alarm goes off? penalties for not doing so?
Answer
Simon~
How is a person to know it is a "false alarm"? Having all occupants exiting the building immediately is always in order when the fire alarm activates UNLESS notification ahead of time is made of testing of the system.
Technically, I do not believe there is any laws requiring evacuation unless you are directly told to by fire or law personnel. Then it is a direct order and not an option.
Schools may come under a law buried in a state's statutes more likely than an apartment building.
I just checked NY State Codes and NY City Code and did not see anything in regards to the public or occupants being required to leave, only the requirements for alarm and detector installation and inspection, testing, maintenance.
Personnaly, I have been in several situations with a fire alarm and watched how few people leave the premises....hotels, restaurants, apartments, office buildings, and especially....airports.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more info on this subject, I'll be glad to make some phone calls to state and city fire inspectors.
Sincerely,
Dominick G. Kasmauskas
www.NFSA.org
www.HomeFireSprinkler.org
Add to this Answer Ask a Question
|
|
