In a high-rise fire, which stairwell should be used for evacuation and why?

• A. The protected stairwell designated by command; elevators should be avoided due to heat and smoke risk.
• B. The nearest stairwell
• C. The elevator
• D. The roof hatch

Answer: (A)

In a high-rise fire, you evacuate through the protected stairwell designated by command to ensure a tenable, coordinated exit path. These stairwells are built to resist heat and smoke, often pressurized to keep smoke out, and kept clear for safe egress and for firefighters to access floors. Elevators are avoided because the car and hoistway can trap occupants, stop between floors, or become filled with heat and smoke. The nearest stairwell isn’t guaranteed to be protected or safe if it isn’t designated, and a roof hatch is not a standard evacuation route for occupants. So using the command-designated protected stairwell provides the safest, most reliable route.