Landmark building tests fire readiness
A FIRE drill was held in Shanghai’s second tallest building yesterday to educate staff about what to do in an emergency.
The drill at the Shanghai World Financial Center simulated a high-story blaze in the 492-meter-tall skyscraper in the city’s Lujiazui area.
Some 2,600 employees from 78 firms took part.
During the drill, firefighters located the blaze via the building’s alarm system and put it out. Staff in the building were evacuated to make them familiar with the building’s escape routes.
“I have taken part in almost every fire drill since I began working in the building seven years ago,” said Mariya Voronkevych of SIBUR International Trading (Shanghai) Co.
“I think it is helpful for us because we work on the 74th floor.”
Daniel Schneider from Germany’s Commerzbank on the 37th floor was taking part in his first drill. He has been working in the building for seven weeks. “Such training can hopefully help me to know how to handle emergencies in future, not only in the building but also elsewhere,” he said.
The building has eight refuge levels, one between every 12 stories, where air pressure can prevent smoke and fire, according to the building’s management. In an emergency, people are required to stay at these levels and wait to be rescued.
The local fire brigade also tested its water canon for quenching flames in skyscrapers. Other training, such as dealing with smoke, using extinguishers and carrying out first aid were carried out after the drill.
The building has also launched an intelligent fire safety training center featuring virtual reality tools to simulate fires and cutting-edge firefighting equipment.
About 900 property management staff have received training in the center. It will be open to employees in the building and nearby high-rises soon.