1. KNOW YOUR EXITS
There must be two means of egress (exits) from
your apartment building.
Your primary or first exit is your apartment door
that leads into either an unenclosed (not separated
by walls and doors) stairway or through a public
hallway to an enclosed stairway that leads to the
street.
Your secondary exit should be one of the following,
depending upon the building’s date of construction
that also leads directly or indirectly (through a yard)
to the street level:
o an additional enclosed stairway accessible from
the public hallway. (newer buildings)
o an enclosed fire tower (stairway accessible from
the public hallway).
o an outside fire-escape accessible from within
your apartment through a window or door.
An elevator is never an acceptable means of exit
during a fire.
2. KEEP YOUR EXITS CLEAR
AND WORKING
Properly maintained fire doors and exits will greatly
reduce your chance of being killed or injured in a fire
in your building.
o Maintain your apartment door or doors leading
into the public hall or vestibule as fireproof and
selfclosing. (tampering with the self-closing hinge or
blocking the self-closing of such door is illegal).
o Make sure you apartment door lock can be
opened from the inside with a thumb turn. (without
the use of a key).
o Maintain doors leading from the public hallway
into the stairway or fire tower as fire proof and
selfclosing. (again, tampering with the self-closing
hinge or blocking the self-closing of such door is
illegal.)
o Keep stairways and outside fire escapes free of
obstructions at all time. Do not store anything such
as baby strollers, bicycles or rubbish on or under
stairways or on stairway landings.
3. SECURITY VS. FIRE SAFETY
Window Security Gates
Some people install security bars or gates on
their apartment windows to prevent intruders from
entering their home. However, in the event of a fire,
doing so may trap you and your family, as well as
inhibit firefighter rescue.
If your apartment building has an outside fire
escape, only New York City Fire Department
approved security gates that open without the use
of a key may be installed on the fire escape window.
This requirement also applies to any secondary
exit window on the grade level. Installation of an
unapproved gate is strictly prohibited in NYC.
FDNY approved gates do not require the use of a
tool, a key, or special effort to open. When purchasing
a security gate be sure that it is stamped or labeled
with the FDNY approval number.
After installing an approved security gate, make
sure everyone in your home can operate the release
devices.
Remember to keep the fire escape window clear
of all obstructions such as furniture, plants and air
conditioners.
Child Safety Window Guards
The New York City Health Code requires owners
of multiple dwellings to install child safety window
guards when a child ten years old or younger lives in
the apartment. The window guards are small barriers
installed to protect children from falling out of the
windows.
However, to help ensure your safety during a
fire, these guards must not be installed on your fire
escape window.
Lets Keep
Your Family
Fire Safe
A
If you live in a
NON- FIREPROOF BUILDING
and there is a fire, it is usually
better (safer) to leave the
building immediately.
Fireproof does not mean
that the building is
immune to fire.
While the structural
components may not catch
on fire, the contents will and
generate life threatening
heat and smoke.
Generally speaking, in a
fireproof building the fire
and smoke will be contained
to the portion of the building
(apartment) where the fire
has started.
B
If you live in a
FIREPROOF BUILDING and
there is a fire, it is usually better
(safer) to:
o Stay inside rather than entering
smoke-filled hallways, especially if
the fire is above your apartment.
o Keep your door CLOSED.
o Seal the door with duct tape
or wet sheets and towels.
Seal ventilators and any other
openings where smoke may enter.
o Turn off air conditioners.
o Unless flames or smoke are
coming from below, open your
windows a few inches at the top
or bottom. Don’t break windows;
they may need to be closed later.
o Call the Fire Department with
your apartment number and
description of the conditions in
your apartment. Firefighters will
be directed to your location.
C
If the fire IS IN your
apartment, regardless
of construction type,
o Get everyone out. Stay low as
you go.
o Use your safest and most
accessible exit.
o CLOSE ALL DOORS as you
leave.
o If using an interior stairway,
alert people on your floor by
knocking on their doors on your
way out.
o DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.
o Call 911 once you reach a safe
location.
FDNY PROUDLY SERVING NEW YORK SINCE 1865
4. KNOW YOUR WAY OUT
Owners of residential apartment buildings with three or more dwelling units are required by law (Local
Law # 10 of 1999) to develop a Fire Safety Plan specific for their building. The plan must contain basic fire
safety tips, and information about the building including the type of construction, the types of fire safety
systems and the different ways of exiting the building in case of fire or evacuation.
The owner is required by law to:
o post the fire safety plan on the inside of every apartment front door.
o post the fire safety plan in a conspicuous space in the common area.
o distribute a copy to each dwelling unit in the building.
o provide a copy to new tenants at the time of the lease.
o re-distribute the fire safety plan annually during fire prevention week.
The evacuation portion of your building’s fire safety plan will depend whether your building is fire proof
or non-fireproof, and if the fire is in your apartment or some other portion of the building.
5. SHOULD YOU STAY OR SHOULD YOU GO?
SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES!
A
If you live in a
NON- FIREPROOF BUILDING
and there is a fire, it is usually
better (safer) to leave the
building immediately.
Fireproof does not mean
that the building is
immune to fire.
While the structural
components may not catch
on fire, the contents will and
generate life threatening
heat and smoke.
Generally speaking, in a
fireproof building the fire
and smoke will be contained
to the portion of the building
(apartment) where the fire
has started.
B
If you live in a
FIREPROOF BUILDING and
there is a fire, it is usually better
(safer) to:
o Stay inside rather than entering
smoke-filled hallways, especially if
the fire is above your apartment.
o Keep your door CLOSED.
o Seal the door with duct tape
or wet sheets and towels.
Seal ventilators and any other
openings where smoke may enter.
o Turn off air conditioners.
o Unless flames or smoke are
coming from below, open your
windows a few inches at the top
or bottom. Don’t break windows;
they may need to be closed later.
o Call the Fire Department with
your apartment number and
description of the conditions in
your apartment. Firefighters will
be directed to your location.
C
If the fire IS IN your
apartment, regardless
of construction type,
o Get everyone out. Stay low as
you go.
o Use your safest and most
accessible exit.
o CLOSE ALL DOORS as you
leave.
o If using an interior stairway,
alert people on your floor by
knocking on their doors on your
way out.
o DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.
o Call 911 once you reach a safe
location.
FDNY
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