24/7 Emergency Service416 388 6170Established in 2007

Fire Safety Awareness

Know what to do before a fire happens

Simple prevention reminders and emergency actions for tenants, residents, employees and other building occupants.

Review InstructionsTake the Quiz
Important: These are general fire safety awareness instructions. The approved Fire Safety Plan and posted emergency procedures for a specific building take priority and may contain different or additional instructions.

Occupant Training

Fire Safety Instructions

Review these points periodically and become familiar with the fire alarm, exits and emergency procedures in the building.

01

Prevention

Fire Prevention — General Instructions

  • Know the location of the nearest exits, exit stairs, manual fire alarm stations and portable fire extinguishers.
  • Keep corridors, stairways, exits and other common egress areas clear. Do not leave bicycles, furniture, boxes, carts or other items where they can obstruct an exit path.
  • Keep fire doors closed unless they are held open by an approved automatic releasing device. Never wedge, block or alter a fire door, closer or latch.
  • Do not block or cover manual fire alarm stations, fire hose cabinets, fire extinguishers, sprinkler valves, fire department connections or other fire protection equipment.
  • Never smoke in bed. Dispose of smoking materials safely and never discard them into garbage or combustible containers while still hot.
  • Never leave cooking unattended. Keep combustible materials away from stovetops and other cooking appliances.
  • Never leave burning candles or other open flames unattended. Keep them away from curtains, bedding, paper and other combustible materials.
  • Keep portable heaters away from combustible materials and turn them off when leaving the area.
  • Do not use damaged electrical cords, overload receptacles or run extension cords where they can be damaged or create a hazard.
  • Do not store combustible materials in electrical, mechanical, sprinkler, fire pump or service rooms unless the room is specifically intended and permitted for that storage.
  • Do not tamper with smoke alarms, fire alarm devices, sprinkler heads, emergency lighting, exit signs or any other life-safety equipment.
  • Report damaged, obstructed or malfunctioning fire protection equipment to building management promptly.
  • Keep balconies, patios and outdoor cooking areas free of unnecessary combustible storage and follow the building's rules for barbecues or open flames.
  • Persons who may require assistance during an emergency should become familiar with the building's specific evacuation or assistance procedures before an emergency occurs.
02

Emergency Procedure

In Case of Fire — Building Without Elevators

If fire or smoke is discovered

  1. Leave the immediate fire area and warn people nearby.
  2. Close doors behind you where possible to help contain fire and smoke.
  3. Activate the building fire alarm using the nearest manual fire alarm station, if one is provided.
  4. Call 9-1-1 from a safe location. Give the building address and the location or nature of the fire if known.
  5. Leave the building by the nearest safe exit or exit stair.
  6. Go to the designated meeting area, if one is identified, and remain clear of responding firefighters.
  7. Do not re-enter the building until authorized by the fire department.

If the fire alarm sounds

  1. Stop what you are doing and prepare to leave promptly.
  2. Use the nearest safe exit. If smoke or fire blocks the route, use another safe exit where available.
  3. Stay low if moving through smoke and close doors behind you.
  4. Follow instructions from supervisory staff or firefighters.
  5. If unable to leave safely, move to a protected location, close the door, call 9-1-1 and tell the dispatcher exactly where you are.
Fire extinguishers: Only attempt to extinguish a small fire if trained, the fire is not spreading, the alarm has been raised, and a clear escape route is maintained behind you.
03

Emergency Procedure

In Case of Fire — Building With Elevators

If fire or smoke is discovered

  1. Leave the immediate fire area and warn people nearby.
  2. Close doors behind you where possible to help contain fire and smoke.
  3. Activate the building fire alarm using the nearest manual fire alarm station.
  4. Call 9-1-1 from a safe location. Give the building address and the location or nature of the fire if known.
  5. Use the nearest safe exit stair. Do not use an elevator during a fire emergency unless specifically directed by firefighters or by the building's approved emergency procedures.
  6. Go to the designated meeting area, if one is identified, and remain clear of responding firefighters.
  7. Do not re-enter the building until authorized by the fire department.

If the fire alarm sounds

  1. Follow the emergency instructions posted for the building and directions from supervisory staff.
  2. Use a safe exit stair rather than an elevator unless firefighters or the approved Fire Safety Plan specifically direct otherwise.
  3. If smoke or fire blocks the normal route, use another safe exit where available. Do not enter a smoke-filled stair or corridor.
  4. Persons requiring assistance should follow the building-specific assistance procedure and proceed to any designated safe waiting location only where that procedure provides for it.
  5. If unable to leave safely, stay in a protected location, close the door, call 9-1-1 and provide the exact floor, suite or room location.
Remember: Elevator operation can change automatically during a fire alarm. Never assume an elevator will remain available or take you to the intended floor.

Watch & Learn

See flashover and rollover in live-fire training

This short live-fire training video demonstrates rapidly changing fire conditions, including flashover and rollover, to help occupants understand why immediate evacuation is so important.

Public-domain educational video · U.S. Air Force / DVIDS

Test Your Knowledge

Fire Safety Awareness Quiz

Choose the best answer. Each question provides an explanation so the quiz can be used as a short tenant training exercise.

Question 1 of 12
01

Building-Specific Fire Safety

Every building has its own systems and emergency procedures.

For fire safety plans, occupant training, system inspections or fire protection support, contact ProSafe Canada Inc.

Contact ProSafe