I'm not a fire fighter, so I obviously can't disgree with you on procedure. Sounds reasonable, even.

But if the alarm goes off, I'm outta there. Especially if I see or smell smoke. I suppose if the fire was
burning right outside the room and I couldn't get out, I'd stay, but short of that...

It doesn't sound like it's going to be an issue, really. Nearly all people are lazy sheep. The stairs
should be relatively uncrowded (empty?) even in a real emergency. If the only issue with using the
stairs is admitting smoke, lets all make sure we close the door behind us. (I figured you'd say
something about so many people coming down the stairs that fire fighters would have a tough time
going up. Didn't that happen during 9/11?)

What's the advice given on the little door plaques in each room? You know, the one's with the map
about where you are, and where the nearest exits are? I've looked dozens of times, and can't
remember a word.

Martin, please understand... I'm not saying you're wrong. I don't know enough to argue. But it
just feels so... wrong. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Can you give us some idea of what people actually do in this situation?
Do they stay in their rooms? If they evacuate, do they make it out, or die on the way?