The Hidden Fire Risks in High-Rise Buildings — And How to Prevent Them

Chicago is particularly known for its towering skyline, and scattered beneath are high-rise buildings that serve as luxurious living and commercial spaces for the city’s residents. However, behind these ultra-modern and sleek exteriors, these tall structures pose a serious risk to fire safety that cannot be ignored, and that’s where property owners play a highly significant role.

Given their gigantic sizes, even a single instance of negligence or omission in a high-rise building can give rise to a major fire safety hazard that can affect hundreds of lives within.

High-Rise Fire Safety: The Risks You're Missing

Blocked or Poorly Maintained Stairwells

Stairwells are rightly regarded as the lifelines of a high-rise when an emergency strikes on the door. Yet, these openings are often cluttered with storage items, or they may not function to the best of their ability due to malfunctioning doors that hinder the goal of safe evaluation.

Outdated Fire Alarm Systems

Older systems often lag in terms of meeting modern codes, which deprives tenants of early warning signs to get moving 

Dysfunctional Sprinkler Systems

A sprinkler system on its own does nothing unless it has been tested or inspected regularly to check its effectiveness. If not, it may fail just when you need it the most —leading to catastrophic damage.

Electrical Overloads

High rises are particularly known for their high electrical consumption, but this also makes them vulnerable to electrical wires, and the cause is mostly outdated wiring or overloaded circuits.

Poor Communication Systems

Evacuation is all the more tricky for tenants residing on the upper floors whose safety crucially depends on having clear and timely instructions during an emergency. Unfortunately, many high-rises are found to lack reliable PA systems or backup communication plans.

Have a look at NFPA guidelines for high-rise fire safety.

How to Prevent Fire Risks in High-Rises?

If your goal is to avert emergencies rather than fight back, a structured fire safety program is what you need. Here’s what property managers should prioritize:

1. Schedule Regular Inspections

Consult a licensed fire protection professional who can inspect your existing fire safety mechanisms, like alarms, sprinklers, and extinguishers, on a routine basis.

2. Keep Stairwells And Exits Clear

Conduct monthly walkthroughs to ensure stairways, hallways, and emergency exits allow free passage without obstructions in the way.

3. Upgrade Outdated Systems

If your fire alarms or sprinklers are too old or worn out, it’s time to go for modern systems like Emergency Lights, Exit Signs, and Stairs Signs to facilitate urgent evacuation.

4. Invest In Staff And Tenant Training

Fire safety drills and communication protocols can boost your preparedness and mean the difference between chaos and an orderly evacuation.

4. Create A Preventive Maintenance Plan

A professional fire protection company cannot only ensure your building stays compliant but also further reduce the risk of costly surprises.

Securing Chicago's Skyscrapers from Fire

High-rise fire safety is complex, and the stakes are too high for it to be put on the back burner. In fact, taking proactive steps and identifying hidden risks beforehand can save Chicago property managers time, money, and, most importantly lives.

At Connected Fire, we are committed to the safety of high-rises all year round by assisting property managers in navigating fire code compliance and designing preventive maintenance. Don’t wait until an inspection, or worse, an emergency. Call us today to stay ahead of the risks.