High-rise buildings

​Fire safety advice and guidance for people living in high-rise buildings.

Fires in high-rise buildings
  • Most high-rise residential buildings are designed with a ‘stay put’ approach, meaning flats are built to contain fires and prevent them from spreading to other units.
  • Living in a high-rise does not put you at greater risk​ of a fire compared to other types of homes, as many high-rise buildings incorporate robust fire safety features.
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If a fire is in your building

If a fire starts in your flat or within the building, follow these steps to stay safe.

  • Stick to your fire escape plan.
  • Alert everyone in your home and leave immediately.
  • Stay low if there’s smoke, crawling if needed to stay below it.
  • Close doors behind you, including the front door, to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
  • Once outside, do not go back in.
  • Always use the stairs, never the lift, during a fire.
  • Call 911 as soon as you are in a safe location.

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