Inside 43215: Downtown Lifestyles
SMOKIN’ HOT
Stop, drop and roll your eyes. When the fire alarms sound, that’s the normal human response. Isn’t it always some hoax? It’s a distraction where hoards of good people end up in the cold or rain without purse, keys or iPod.
Those who exited the Atlas Building earlier this month weren’t being pranked. There was real smoke and a serious electrical fire. Stuff happens. Do you know what to do if it happens to you?
William Hall knows what to do. He’s the President of the Central Ohio Fire Museum, and he’s also a firefighter. At the downtown museum, it’s his business to educate people of all ages about fire safety. Keep in mind these two things…
1. Know Your Escape Route.
He says that every building must have escape routes posted. In fact, he points out an interesting new architectural trend: “In modern buildings, you’ll often see exit signs posted near the floor… that’s so people can see them if they’re crawling.”
2. Don’t Take the Elevator.
But why? Because elevators can malfunction in horrific ways. The keypads can interpret the fire’s heat as a floor summons. Any elevator could deliver riders right to the center of the flames.
Beyond that, firefighters can override those malfunctions and use the elevator for transport… if it’s available.
While fires are frightening things, the Central Ohio Fire Museum is lovely. It’s filled to the hilt with the magnetic glory and heroism of firefighting. You can learn more at the museum’s Web site: centralohiofiremuseum.com.
Tags: Downtown Columbus, Museums