Residents; The often overlooked stakeholder in highrise fire safety
In a high-rise condominium, achieving and maintaining fire safety requires a coordinated effort from various stakeholders. Each group plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone within the community.
The Board: As owners and decision-makers, the board holds the ultimate responsibility to ensure the Corporation is compliant and that the fire safety plan is implemented to the fullest extent. Their leadership is
essential in prioritizing investments in systems and compliance, and supporting the Manager.
Licensed Condo Managers: These professionals are entrusted with the day-to-day management of the condominium. Their knowledge of fire safety regulations and proactive management of safety protocols are pivotal in creating a secure environment for residents.
Building Staff: From superintendents to security and cleaning staff, these individuals are on the front lines of building safety. Their training in fire prevention, emergency response procedures, and regular maintenance of safety equipment are critical to swift and effective action during a crisis, and at times - prevent fires before they happen.
Service Providers and Trades: Contractors and service providers who work within the building must adhere to fire safety guidelines and cooperate closely with building management to minimize risks and maintain safety standards. These teams are a vital component of the fire safety team when they are working onsite and must adhere to the approved fire safety plan.
The Residents: Often overlooked but equally vital are the residents themselves. Each individual must be aware of their unique roles and responsibilities to prevent fire, prepare for it, and
be able to effectively respond to it.
Despite the critical role resident’s play, they are frequently unaware of their
responsibilities in fire safety. This knowledge gap can delay response times
and jeopardize overall safety.
Managers, and building staff all require training on the fire safety plan, that provides ian in-depth understanding of how to prevent fire related emergencies, prepare for them, mitigate the risks and impacts - and of course how to respond. Residents, are the only stakeholder missing this vital information.
Together, with informed and engaged stakeholders at every level, we can ensure our high-rise condominiums are not just homes, but safe havens for all residents. For more on the knowledge gap and what proactive Managers are doing to eliminate this gap, see Condo Business Magazine article below.
https://lnkd.in/gNYw2w9w
National Life Safety Group