You have probably read scary news stories about residents who became trapped in their apartment building after a fire, or perhaps you've heard tales of criminals gaining access to apartment buildings and robbing multiple residents blind. When you own and manage a large apartment building, these stories hit you hard. You worry about your own residents and wonder if you're doing all that you can to keep them safe. Here are three ways you can improve the safety of your large apartment building.
Install panic bars on all of the main doors.
One unfortunate scenario that can happen in large buildings is that, after a fire or some other emergency, a panic ensues. People pile up so heavily at the door that they are unable to open it, and so many people get stuck inside. Having panic bar exit devices installed on your doors will prevent such a problem. If someone leans against the panic bar (or is even pushed up against it by someone else), the door will push open, allowing everyone to flood out. Nobody will have to worry about getting their hands free to open the door when they are panicking and shaking.
You may not be able to have panic bars installed on your existing doors, depending on how they are designed. If your current doors are not compatible, having the doors replaced with ones that come with built-in panic bars is an investment worth making.
Utilize a key card entry system.
Instead of just leaving the front door of the building unlocked, install a key card entry system. This is better than just putting a general lock on the door and requiring residents to use a key, since previous residents may retain copies of the key once they move out. They won't be able to copy cards as easily—and you can require that they turn the card in when they move out. With a key card entry system, you won't have to worry about criminals breaking into the building and causing harm.
Keep the stairways clear and accessible.
In case of a fire, the elevators will seize up, and residents will have to use the stairs. Unfortunately, a lot of injuries can occur if the stairways are blocked, locked, or littered with debris. Make a habit of cleaning the staircases once a week and making sure the doors that lead to them open with ease.
Share12 March 2019
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