How can you ensure fire safety in high-rise facility management?

1 Assess the risks

The first step to ensure fire safety in high-rise facility management is to conduct a thorough risk assessment of the building and its occupants. A risk assessment should identify the potential sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen, as well as the fire hazards, fire protection systems, and emergency procedures. A risk assessment should also consider the building's design, layout, construction, materials, occupancy, and usage. Based on the risk assessment, you should develop a fire safety plan that outlines the roles and responsibilities, fire prevention and mitigation strategies, and fire response and recovery actions.

2 Install and maintain fire protection systems

The second step to ensure fire safety in high-rise facility management is to install and maintain adequate fire protection systems in the building. Fire protection systems include fire detection and alarm systems, fire sprinklers and hydrants, fire doors and windows, fire extinguishers and hoses, fire escape routes and exits, and fire signage and lighting. Fire protection systems should be designed, installed, and maintained according to the relevant codes and standards, and tested and inspected regularly. You should also train the staff and occupants on how to use and operate the fire protection systems in case of an emergency.

3 Implement fire prevention and mitigation strategies

The third step to ensure fire safety in high-rise facility management is to implement fire prevention and mitigation strategies in the building. Fire prevention and mitigation strategies include enforcing fire safety policies and rules, eliminating or reducing fire hazards, controlling flammable and combustible materials, ensuring proper ventilation and electrical wiring, and conducting fire drills and audits. You should also educate the staff and occupants on fire safety awareness and behavior, such as avoiding smoking, candles, and appliances, reporting fire hazards, and following evacuation procedures.

4 Prepare for fire response and recovery

The fourth step to ensure fire safety in high-rise facility management is to prepare for fire response and recovery in the building. Fire response and recovery include activating the fire alarm and notifying the fire department, evacuating the staff and occupants safely and orderly, assisting the firefighters and emergency responders, containing and extinguishing the fire, and restoring the normal operations and functions. You should also have a contingency plan and a crisis management team to deal with the potential impacts and consequences of a fire, such as injuries, fatalities, property damage, business disruption, and legal claims.

5 Review and update the fire safety plan

The fifth step to ensure fire safety in high-rise facility management is to review and update the fire safety plan regularly. A fire safety plan should be reviewed and updated at least annually, or whenever there are changes in the building's structure, occupancy, usage, or fire protection systems. A fire safety plan should also be reviewed and updated after a fire incident, to identify the root causes, lessons learned, and corrective actions. A fire safety plan should be communicated and distributed to the staff and occupants, and kept in a visible and accessible location.

6 Seek professional advice and support

The sixth and final step to ensure fire safety in high-rise facility management is to seek professional advice and support from qualified and experienced fire safety experts. Fire safety experts can help you conduct a comprehensive and accurate risk assessment, design and install appropriate and effective fire protection systems, implement and monitor fire prevention and mitigation strategies, prepare and execute fire response and recovery actions, and review and update the fire safety plan. Fire safety experts can also provide you with training, guidance, and recommendations to improve your fire safety performance and compliance.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?