High-Rise Life Safety for Property Managers

High-Rise Life Safety for Property Managers Martin Cramer, CPP

Presentation Outline • Legal Liability • Fire Safety Director • Fire Plan • Fire Wardens • Fire Brigade • Fire Evacuation Drills • Life Safety System Maintenance • High-Rise Fire Lessons Learned Martin Cramer, CPP

Legal Liability • Premises owner has a duty to protect tenants and visitors from harm. • Premises owner may hire property management, and security companies to fulfill this requirement. • Those firms must provide tenants with a life safety program approved by local fire code including training and drills. Martin Cramer, CPP

Fire Safety Director • Organize building employees and tenants into a trained fire brigade. • Distribute written copies of applicable parts of the fire plan to all tenants. • Maintain written record of fire system maintenance, checks and fire drills. Dallas Fire Code Martin Cramer, CPP

Fire Plan • Emergency Procedures • Evacuation Procedures • Training Program • Floor Plans • Fire Drills • Fire Wardens • Disabled Persons List Martin Cramer, CPP

Fire Warden • Fire Warden designated for each floor • Familiar with Fire Plan • Ensure Emergency Team is trained • Direct evacuation of floor • Notify Fire Safety Director of persons who require assistance. Martin Cramer, CPP

Fire Brigade • Key building personnel are organized into a trained Fire Brigade that may include engineering, security and management. • Fire Brigade responds to fire location to report on situation, assist with evacuation and extinguish fire if possible. Dallas Fire Code Martin Cramer, CPP

Fire Drills • Emergency relocation drills shall be held with sufficient frequency to familiarize building occupants with drill procedure. • Written records of drills are maintained on premises for inspection by fire dept. • Written critique of fire drill is distributed to drill participants. NFPA 101 Martin Cramer, CPP

Life Safety Systems • Fire alarm system tested annually. • Emergency generators and emergency lights tested at 30-day interval. • Stairwell egress, intercoms, lighting, exit signage tested at 30-day intervals. • Written record of testing is maintained on premises for inspection by fire department. NFPA 101 Martin Cramer, CPP

Cook County Fire Martin Cramer, CPP

Cook County Fire • Fire Brigade not trained • Delayed Call to Fire Department • Stairwell Doors Locked • P/A Announcement Problems • Massey Fire Plan locked in Security Desk • Security Officer not licensed • 6 Dead Martin Cramer, CPP

One Meridian Plaza Martin Cramer, CPP

One Meridian Plaza • Fire Brigade not trained • Delayed Call to Fire Department • Stairwell Doors Locked • Fire Plan Inadequate • 3 Dead • 4 Billion Dollars in Civil Damage Claims Martin Cramer, CPP

First Interstate Bank Martin Cramer, CPP

First Interstate Bank • Fire Brigade not trained • Delayed Call to Fire Department • Sprinkler System disabled • Fire Pumps shut down • Fire Plan Inadequate • 1 Dead (Building Engineer) Martin Cramer, CPP

Lessons Learned • Fire Brigade Training (Security & Engineers) • Tenant Life Safety Training • Test Fire & Life Safety Systems Monthly • Practice P/A Announcements • Fire Drills on every floor • Fire Department Liaison • Approved Fire Plan Martin Cramer, CPP

High-Rise Life Safety for Property Managers