Fire Alarms..Do we Care???

Soby

Over the past few weeks the fire alarm in our school has been going off quite a bit...But no one has made any sudden movement or even looked around...just completly ignore it as if to say"sure there cant be a fire..Id see/smell etc it...I mean you just think sure it cant be a fire...But like we all say and laugh about.....One day there will be one..

Silverfish

I worked in a large company with about 300 employees, and it was not the easiest building to get out of.

The fire alarm went off one day - and no-one moved. After three minutes or so, we looked at each other, and went on with what we were doing, until someone had to announce over the PA that it was NOT a drill, it was an actual fire, and to evacuate the building.

So we all grab our coats and bags ( and one guy grabbed work folders, the weirdo) and strolled out, where we were met by a hysterical director telling us we couldn't evecuate by our normal route. In total, it took us FIFTEEN MINUTES to get out.

People got out of the WTC in less time than that.

Since then, I heard from a senior fire official that if you see fire or smoke, start counting. If you get to 90 and you are still in the building, you will probably die there.

Look at the fire in The Station in Rhode Island - they got 60 seconds or so to get out.

Now, when I hear one, I'm out of there.

biko

We do care.
Fire alarms can save your life.
We like life.

But yeah, I remember in school everyone pretty much had to be coaxed out of the class room.

Ruu_Old

Don't know about anyone else but I care. A fire alarm went off in our apartment block a few weeks ago and out of 12 apartment units, 4-5 people including my wife and I actually left the building when we heard it and called the fire brigade. It was a false alarm and they didn't find out what set the alarm off. We could see people in the other units walking about without a care in the world during this time. We were pretty good in school to get up and about when such incidents occured also.

Silverfish

I'm in two minds about posting this.

This is how long you get. Note: no fire alarm.

NOT mind safe, and you may prefer to watch it with the sound off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IBMKtYw1gw

Ninety-six people killed.

I'm sure Ruu and Karoma will remove it ( and me) if its not suitable.

Sad Professor

That video is scary :eek:

MarkR

I play it safe. I'm not going to sprint out the door, but i'll potter out to see what's happening.

Worst was when I was in a hotel alone in edinburgh. Still dressed but was late at night, alarm goes off. I knew where the exit was so grabbed my wallet and headed out the door. Slightly disorientated by the fire doors having been swung short. Not many people left actually. Small kitchen fire or something.

Always check the evacuation route, especially if you're in a new place.

MrJoeSoap

Silverfish wrote:

I'm in two minds about posting this.

This is how long you get. Note: no fire alarm.

NOT mind safe, and you may prefer to watch it with the sound off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IBMKtYw1gw

I'm sure Ruu and Karoma will remove it ( and me) if its not suitable.

I'm glad you did. I'll never take a fire alarm for granted again. Thats disturbing stuff.

User45701

Well when i was in school it was different people would leave when the fire alarm went off just to get time out of class and have a chat or go for a smoke

In the different jobs ive worked i have noticed that people don't care, i don't either when the fire alarm went off in my old job noone relay cared cause it was lunch time just kept talking/reading the paper

MrJoeSoap

Did this thread immediately remind anyone of Gareth Keenan running to open the double doors?

Anyone?

Thrill

Silverfish wrote:

I'm in two minds about posting this.

This is how long you get. Note: no fire alarm.

NOT mind safe, and you may prefer to watch it with the sound off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IBMKtYw1gw

Ninety-six people killed.

I'm sure Ruu and Karoma will remove it ( and me) if its not suitable.

I remember seeing that on the news. As far as i can remember, the place was a death trap. Exit doors chained shut, lack of fire ressitant materials, they either didnt have sprinklers or they were not working etc.

Sparky

It supprising how many people don't give a crap.

Look around a few business and you will find emergancy exit signs not even lit when they should be. Try finding an exit quick when your surrounded by black smoke. In some cases the fire alarm panels in apartment buildings are reporting a fault that is left ingnored for months on end.

One apartment complex on the dock needed 500 doors replaced because they were not fire rated doors.

Its only untill an accident happens that things will get sorted.

We done a shop up with emerency lighting and a fire alarm including a 'master blaster'.
When we tested the system, the master blaster really roars. The owner complained it was too loud. We just simly siad "would you rather a person get burned for not hearing it, or run for their life when they hear it?"

Remember stardust. The fire exits were locked. Today if you see that or even a fire exit blocked or not even lit, report it.

il gatto

People think it's like the movies. It's not. Even with all the lights on, you can't f-all in smoke. You won't find the fire escape easily, and putting your T-Shirt over your mouth doesn't negate the fact that you're breathing smoke.
I've done breathing apparatus training, and when your mask is blacked out, you get totally disorientated in seconds. It's nearly impossible to even walk a relatively straight line. You can literally get lost in a small room (as in ten foot by ten foot).
I probably don't take much notice of alarms, but if I see or smell smoke, I'm outta there.

CathyMoran

When I was a kid my best friend, her mum, dad and brother died in a hotel fire and a few years later my school burnt down killing 6 nuns - I always check for the fire escape and make plans for my escape when I enter a building. I just take my bag with medications in it then get out of the building as soon as possible.

Just looked at that video - very disturbing stuff but essential viewing.

Hagar

I always react to fire alarms, I'm from the Stardust generation.

Some time ago I was doing contract work on the 4th floor offices of major Dublin firm when the fire alarm went off. I got up from the desk where we having the meeting and said "That's the fire alarm let's go". Nobody moved. One guy said that this was an important meeting and we should continue. Others agreed. I said "If any of you are still alive when I get back I will be happy to continue the meeting". The look on their faces was something to see. At that point they got up. It was a minor wiring fault as it turned out and very little damage was done. It could have been much worse.

That video was frightening. I have to wonder though at the mentality of someone videoing screaming people and not trying to help in any way.

Mossy Monk

Tommy Tiernan got it spot on about people and fire alarms
when a person who lived with me set fire to our kitchen (accidentally btw) a few years ago, that scared the **** out of me. with all the lights on couldnt see a thing the smoke was so thick. scary situation

Heinrich

Fire alarms should always be heeded! If you are in an important meeting you get out immediately when the alarm goes off! If anybody is not happy about that you get on to the fire brigade and complain. I'm sure action will be take against mamagement.

In Du Pont ignoring a safety regulation can lead to instant dismissal! Any self respecting company, educational organisation or other have periodical fire and safety drills. Even our local Montessori schoo; has fire drills with the tots.

Saint_Mel

I remember a fire alarm going off in work before and as everyone
got up to go, the manager came out and told people to get back
to their desks and continue working!

Wasn't a planned drill either, I think it turned out to be a little fire
in the canteen that set the bells off!

Mossy Monk

Saint_Mel wrote:

the manager came out and told people to get back
to their desks and continue working!

he should be reported for that

Jimoslimos

#Elites wrote:

classic quote from my teacher:

*Firebell rings*
us: is that the firebell?should we go outside
her: i wasnt told about a fire..do your work..

Yep remember a teacher of mine saying pretty much the same thing during an *unscheduled* fire drill. Just as well it wasn't an *unscheduled* fire :rolleyes:

petes

Saint_Mel wrote:

I remember a fire alarm going off in work before and as everyone
got up to go, the manager came out and told people to get back
to their desks and continue working!

Wasn't a planned drill either, I think it turned out to be a little fire
in the canteen that set the bells off!

I would have told him I'll get back to my desk when the alarm stops. Doesn't matter if is a drill either.

Soby

So i suppose for the majority of people including my self you need a accutal experiance of a fire before you take the alarm serious......Just you always take it for granted...Tommy.T described it best....

Dave!

Soby wrote: »

One day there will be one..

hmmmm....... got something planned eh Soby? Gonna teach them all a lesson -- is that it?

Silverfish wrote: »

I'm in two minds about posting this.

This is how long you get. Note: no fire alarm.

NOT mind safe, and you may prefer to watch it with the sound off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IBMKtYw1gw

Ninety-six people killed.

I'm sure Ruu and Karoma will remove it ( and me) if its not suitable.

That video has been taken down now, has anyone got a working link? Would be interested in seeing it.

Sparky

Another fine example of a thread dig!

Dyr

Is someone gonna post that tommy tiernan gag about fire alarms or am i flying solo here people?

fire alarm went off in our apt complex last week at 2:30 am, i potter out have a quick butchers around the building/down the car park and then ring the managment company to tell them. Sleepy fella on call just asked if i could turn the alarm off meself..i said i couldnt cos the console was locked so he got onto the security company.

He never once asked if anyone had checked for a fire, no get out-get the fire brigade out line..so yeah we couldnt care less about fire alarms

ScumLord

If the fire alarm goes off here at work, I'll be first out the door, into my car and off home.

BKtje

One went off in work a while ago, the three of us in the office just sat there till the designated fire officer told us to get the fcuk out.

Was a false alarm, so in we go again. Thirty minutes later it goes off again and once again we just sit there thinking, will somebody fix that bloody fault. Anyway in comes the fire officer again screaming at us to get the fcuk out.

Happened three times in the space of 90minutes, was taken seriously each time by the people responsible to get people out but not by the average worker.

phasers

when the fire alarm goes off in my school we're all thrilled
we get out of class for a few minutes to line up outside and listen to herself waffle for a while
but when you do about 6 drills a year you tend to assume it's always a drill and just have a laugh
in a real fire though I'd just leg it, f*ck procedure

Silverfish

DaveMcG wrote: »

That video has been taken down now, has anyone got a working link? Would be interested in seeing it.

Here's another one, not the original I posted.

Note the timer on the bottom left.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e97_1175350379

I couldn't find this video without the dumb music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFIrkSO4lxA

See how quickely the fire spreads.

If I hear a fire alarm I'm out of my seat like a shot.

Jay P

I do nothing. Its always someone messing at school, and even in the unlikely event that it isn't, I could jump out the window. Seriously, I know a first year who jumped out a first floor window in our school, and that was pretty hgih, and he was unscathed. I would have grab my jacket though first, it defines me

Dave!

Do any of ye do fire drills at home?

I'm surprised my folks never did them, cos my ma is a bit mental about the threat of fire....

Seems like a good idea tbh to have some sort of escape plan mapped out. The general idea is that we'd hop out the window and onto the extension roof, but if that route is blocked then we're kinda left to improvise! I would think having a rope ladder in every bedroom for example would not be the most outrageous plan ever concieved.

Watched those videos, crazy.

Ye might also be interested in seeing the power fire has in the form of a backdraught!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkNCqrJiXsU

phog

ScumLord wrote: »

If the fire alarm goes off here at work, I'll be first out the door, into my car and off home.

That's very selfish of you - in the event of it being a real fire the fire brigade may have to do a building search for anyone unaccounted for and obvioulsy if you head off home then noone will know for certain where you are, that's the whole reason for fire assembly points.

return guide

phog wrote: »

That's very selfish of you - in the event of it being a real fire the fire brigade may have to do a building search for anyone unaccounted for and obvioulsy if you head off home then noone will know for certain where you are, that's the whole reason for fire assembly points.

agreed

claret

Bambi wrote: »

Is someone gonna post that tommy tiernan gag about fire alarms or am i flying solo here people?

"I was in a pub in London recently and a fire alarm went off and I couldn't believe what happened...Everybody left!! You wouldn't get that here in Ireland. If you were in a pub in Galway, a pub made out of Christmas trees....and petrol....in between a remand centre for young criminals....and a fireworks factory....at Halloween, if the fire alarm went off...sure you'd look for the fire, if you didn't see it...it didn't ****in' exist!! If the fire alarm kept goin off you'd start makin jokes about it. Is that my phone? hahaha"

Legend

rainbowtrout

Fire alarms are taken very seriously in the school I work in. We are required to have a drill at least once a term, we're never told about it and there has been a few false alarms as well. The minute it goes off everyone is out and we take a roll call at the assembly points. No one can go back in until we're given the all clear. The kids love them because they see it as a way of getting out of class, but they have learned to move quickly to where they should be which is a good thing and if there ever is a real fire we shouldn't have any major problems getting them out of the building.

Senna

In 4th class we had a fire start in the teachers room (lounge). The fire alarm didn't go off and one of the other teachers ran into our class and told us to get out, it was pure panic, i remember all of us being told to RUN once we got out the fire door. Nothing like the drills, when we would get a rollicking for running.
Thinking back that school wasn't fit for children, it was built around the turn of the century and thank good its completely closed now.

Also, in a well know hotel in Letterkenny the fire alarm used to go off once a week at least, we (staff) would just tell customers it was a false alarm and there was no need to evacuate. For all we knew half the hotel could already be burned to the ground.

Jimdagym

I was sitting in a pub in stillorgan once when the fire alarm started going off. A customer actually folded a beermat, stood on a chair, and wedged it between the hammer and the bell:eek:

Xavi6

Jimdagym wrote: »

I was sitting in a pub in stillorgan once when the fire alarm started going off. A customer actually folded a beermat, stood on a chair, and wedged it between the hammer and the bell:eek:

Ha ha that's hilarious! (Stupid I know but very funny)

In school we never took it seriously. As mentioned, it was just a way out of class. I do treat it serious now though and wish more people in positions of authority did the same.