TO-2729 (RP-211) -- Fire-Safe Sanctuaries: A Viable Alternative for Life Safety in High-Rise Buildings ✓ Most Recent

What is the nature of high-rise buildings? A typical high-rise building has more floors than can be reached by available fire ladders, and the building is "fireproof" to the extent that the structural framework and certain other elements are made of noncombustible materials; the building is not likely to collapse during a fire. In other respects, high-rise buildings reflect the demands of urban growth and the requirements of the building codes that prevailed at the times they were built. Within this general category of high-rise buildings, where many lives may be threatened by fire and smoke, one can find examples to illustrate various needs for places of refuge, that is, "sanctuaries."

The topic, "Fire Survival--Run or Hide," implies that one has a choice between two procedures, either of which might have a favorable outcome. To implement the "run" option, fire-safe escape routes that follow stairways throughout their length can be, and frequently are, provided in modern buildings. To implement the "hide" option, fire-safe sanctuaries can be, but seldom are, provided on all habitable floors of the building. To avoid the effects of fire and smoke, an occupant would have no choice unless both options had been implemented. Fire-safe escape routes and sanctuaries both depend on the establishment of interspace pressure differentials for the exclusion of smoke and toxic fumes.

It is proposed that fire-safe sanctuaries should be provided in accordance with demonstrated needs and reliable criteria as a viable alternative to, not as a replacement for, the fire-safe escape route. The loss of lives in future high-rise fires would thereby be reduced.