Life Safety is obviously the first priority in any fire situation. An orderly evacuation reduces the risk of loss of life or injury. Rated fire doors are just that, rated to provide protection from thermal/fire spread in accordance with their respective fire rating. Humans however are more likely killed or injured from smoke inhalation/toxic fumes/oxygen displacement, then being burned alive. Fire rated doors will provide some thermal protection and reduce the spread of fire, but depending upon the condition of the door seals/gaskets, may provide significantly less protection from those things (smoke inhalation/toxic fumes/oxygen displacement) that will likely kill you.

Most large structures with high occupancy risks are made from concrete, cinder block, brick, etc. The structure itself will likely not burn, but all of the wiring, carpets, furniture, paper, drapes, all pose significant smoke/toxic gas treats. Doors that are opened do increase the chance of fire/smoke spread, mainly if multiple doors are opened at the same time (think of cross ventilation). However, limiting the amount of oxygen available to a fire, will generally in and of itself not extinguish the fire. In fact the reduced heat will likely produce greater amounts of smoke/toxic gases, as incomplete combustion is more likely.

My personal belief is an orderly evacuation should remain the top priority; once you are out, you no longer present yourself as a potential victim requiring rescue.

Pete

I'm an Lt. with 15 years on the job. I have never had a ten minute repsponse time to anything,not in my second or even third due area. Not even on in service jobs (no lights or sirens).60-90 seconds for 911 to do their thing 3-4 for us to get there.

You folks can stay when the bell goes off,I'm out of there!

As far as auto alarms,even those that go off a lot,well I've had fires in those too. You respond as if its real EVERYTIME.You go lights and sirens you hop off the load with air pack on grab a tool and the hotel roll thats your job.

Come on thirdpig, what about the 50th alarm in 6 months? And the previous 49 were false? Kudos to you and your dept. If you take all alarms seriously. When I worked in the fire service and now as a Paramedic, I have had partners, crews wo at 3 in the morning would take their time getting out of bed and geared up for that 50th alarm to same location.

Well the fines start after the 3rd time, by the time you hit 50 they'd be up close to 5k in fines. Not very many reach anywhere near that, in fact fire safety would be on them way before that point! All I can say is we respond the same way each time, if you got guys taking their time well the officer should do his job and correct that.

dude, 50 in 6 months... try over 200 in a year! We have a resort that we are called out for fire alarms at least twice every set (3 shifts)! We're cancled enroute more often than not... We don't get completly dressed out everytime, depends on where in the resort, when , and what kind of alarm is sounding.