In a building over 150 feet, where should occupants evacuate during an alarm?

In a building over 150 feet in height, during an alarm, occupants should ideally evacuate to floors one to seven. This recommendation is based on fire safety protocols that recognize the challenges associated with evacuating from high-rise structures. Evacuating to lower floors can provide a safer area where occupants can wait for further assistance or where they might be more accessible to rescue teams.

Choosing floors one to seven is particularly important because these levels are typically still safe from immediate fire threat and facilitate easier rescue operations. They allow occupants to be above the potential hazards, such as smoke or flames, while remaining within a range that emergency personnel can quickly reach.

Evacuating to the roof, the basement, or only to street level might not be advisable due to various risks. The roof may present dangers in terms of smoke accumulation and could complicate rescue efforts, while the basement is generally unsafe due to potential flooding or smoke seepage. Limiting evacuation only to street level without considering other safe areas might restrict the options for individuals seeking refuge from the immediate threat. Therefore, evacuating occupants to floors one to seven provides a balance of safety and accessibility in a high-rise emergency situation.