Friday, it was very fitting that we were having a training session about how to react (what's the proper protocol) when the fire alarm system is activated - in any way. Our building is classified as a High Rise - Group B, so it's not just a 100% evac situation. Insert a bunch of FDNY mumbo jumbo here to get the meat of the story.
According to the Fire Safety Director, High Rise owners are having problems falling in alignment with the FDNY Code and creating solid emergency action plans. He continued to explain that because of the evolution of Facility Management / Managers, Building Operators, Facility Managers, etc, building owners couldn't keep up with the changes.
He gave a great example: Back when the last overhaul of the code happened, in the 70's, facility managers, building operators, etc, were the men who basically lived in the building, they knew every nook and cranny. But now that facility managers and building operators control many buildings at one time, there are no longer fire wardens or searchers that truly know a building. He also made it a point to call out what the implications were of having outsourced maintenance teams. As a result FDNY has instituted listing of fire wardens and or searchers on every floor of buildings so when activations occur the FDNY knows who to go to and those appointed people are in charge of knowing the ins and outs of their floors and its occupants.
This whole example conversation lasted about 5 minutes before we moved on to the material that we were really there to cover. I sat there partially dazed only because it was something so simple, yet so complex. That said... time to identify some Fire Wardens and Searchers!
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