During evacuations in high-rise buildings, it is possible that not all building occupants are required to evacuate. The following FAQs provide additional information.

• How do I know if my building is a high-rise? 
  • High-rises are defined as buildings that have occupied floors more than 75 feet above the lowest level that a fire vehicle can access.
  • Click here for more information from Fairfax County on the definition of a high-rise.

• Why do only certain floors need to evacuate if there is a fire in a high-rise? 
  • High-rise evacuations can be quite strenuous due to the amount of people and number of stairs. Additionally, modern fire safety systems are designed to keep the fire from spreading. Therefore, it is much more practical for only the affected floor and those directly above and below it to evacutate.
  • Click here for more information from Fairfax County on why the whole building is not evacuated.

Updated 7/17/24