We had a false alarm go off in the building where I work last week. The elevators automatically shut down forcing the use of the fire escapes. The building is 22 floors. I was lucky in that I’d just taken the elevator to the first floor to step outside on a break. When they finally let us back in, I wondered what someone with mobility issues is expected to do had the building been on fire. Just die? Have a kind soul carry them? With most people wfh at least a couple of days per week, this seems really dangerous for anyone who might get stranded.

  • corsicanguppy@lemmy.caEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    The vast, vast majority of building emergencies are safe to shelter in place. Modern building codes generally prevent fires from spreading too far, and isolate smoke to a specific place in the building.

    The exceptions are surprising. In my region, they’ve approved wood buildings up to 12 storeys . Isn’t that scary as hell? Just in general, I mean; but also needing to escape 12 storeys in 3 minutes before fire consumes its favourite food? Super scary.

    • warbond@lemmy.world
      0·
      2 months ago

      I think that’s only possible with laminated wood, and apparently it’s made thick and dense enough that fire affects it more slowly than normal. From my understanding it’s a safe building material.