Fire escape ladders are essential tools for safely evacuating from high places during a fire emergency.
In an online apartment market group, Ms. Ha (40 years old, residing in Thanh Xuan district) recently shared a post that struck a chord with many people’s anxieties: “An emergency escape ladder with a pulling force of up to 1,000 kg is a necessary product for apartment buildings and high-rise homes in case of an incident. The ladder is made of fire-resistant materials and is easy to use for both the elderly and children, with various lengths ranging from the 10th to the 37th floor.”
Many residents have placed orders despite the ladder’s hefty price tag of nearly 5 million VND. However, Ms. Ha and her husband are skeptical about the practicality of this device at heights of up to 37 floors. “If we don’t buy it, we feel anxious, but if we do buy it for such a high floor, we wonder if it will really be effective,” she said.
This is just one of many questions from readers regarding evacuation skills during a fire in an apartment building. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Danh Luân from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department provided the following insights:
At what floor level will an escape ladder be effective?
Residents should only purchase escape ladders for lower floors, specifically around the 3rd, 4th, or 5th floors. However, children may find it difficult to use because they need strength to hold the ladder steady when it tilts or shakes.
For the 30th floor, Ms. Ha’s home should avoid purchasing an escape ladder, as using one at this height can be extremely dangerous. Installing a ladder at approximately 100 meters high poses significant risks, and users are very likely to fall, leading to fatal injuries.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Luân’s advice, escape ladders should only be used in buildings up to the 5th floor. (Photo: Ngọc Thành).
Should residents purchase fire extinguishers and smoke masks?
For apartments, townhouses, and residential buildings that also operate businesses, equipping fire extinguishers, smoke masks, and gas masks is essential. Families living in townhouses or combined living and business spaces should also equip themselves with hammers, axes, cutting tools, and early fire warning devices to detect fires early or break structural components for escape.
When purchasing fire extinguishers, smoke masks, and gas masks, residents should seek reputable fire prevention service providers. When buying, it is important to check the origin documents, the Certificate of Origin (CO), and the Certificate of Quality (CQ)…
For fire extinguishers, residents should ensure that the warranty sticker on the casing bears the supplier’s seal; check the weight to see if it matches the technical specifications on the extinguisher; inspect the seal and ensure the casing is free from scratches or repainting.
If using a fire extinguisher, residents must perform regular checks at least once a month. In particular, for the pressure gauge, if it is only on the red line, it needs refilling; if it is on the green line, the extinguisher is still functional.
You should also weigh the extinguisher to check if its weight has decreased during use, so you can take measures to refill or replace it…
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Danh Luân emphasizes the need to understand the types of fire extinguishers corresponding to fire sources for maximum effectiveness, preventing the fire from spreading. (Photo: Ministry of Public Security).
Using an inappropriate fire extinguisher can escalate the fire?
Fire extinguishers come in various types (gas, powder, foam), and most residents currently use powder and gas extinguishers.
For electrical and electronic fires, you should use a gas fire extinguisher as it does not damage equipment like powder extinguishers do.
Gas fire extinguishers are suitable for fires in rooms, closets, or basements, but they are not effective for outdoor fires or in ventilated areas because CO2 disperses quickly in the air.
If used improperly against the nature of the fire, the effectiveness of extinguishing the fire is low, but it does not allow the fire to grow larger.
You can distinguish between types of extinguishers visually. A small nozzle with a pressure gauge at the neck indicates a powder extinguisher. A larger nozzle without a pressure gauge indicates a gas extinguisher.
Dozens of vehicles were destroyed at the scene of a mini-apartment fire in Hanoi on September 13. (Photo: Giang Huy).
How should charging of electric bicycles and scooters be organized in apartments?
For apartments with residents who have electric bicycles or scooters, the charging area should be near the entrance, well-ventilated, away from car and motorcycle parking areas, and monitored 24/7; charging should not begin immediately after returning home. The management board should establish a cutoff time for charging in the evening.
Vehicle owners should conduct regular maintenance, replace damaged components with genuine parts from reputable sources, and avoid adding extra equipment to their vehicles (modifications) to prevent battery overload.
