High-rise buildings present several unique challenges not found in traditional low-rise buildings; longer egress times and distance, evacuation strategies, fire department accessibility, smoke movement and fire control.

High-rise buildings have garnered significant attention in the fire safety world over the years. The multiple floors of a high-rise building create the cumulative effect of requiring great numbers of persons to travel great vertical distances on stairs in order to evacuate the building. The public, code bodies, local, regional and federal governments, as well as the design, build, and ownership communities are all affected by high-rise building safety.

Apartment buildings

People living in an apartment building need to think ahead and be prepared in the event of a fire. It is important to know the fire safety features in your building and work together with neighbors to help keep the building as fire-safe as possible.

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Fire safety is the set of practices intended to reduce the destruction caused by fire. Fire safety measures include those that are intended to prevent ignition of an uncontrolled fire, and those that are used to limit the development and effects of a fire after it starts.

Fire safety measures include those that are planned during the construction of a building or implemented in structures that are already standing, and those that are taught to occupants of the building.

Threats to fire safety are commonly referred to as fire hazards. A fire hazard may include a situation that increases the likelihood of a fire or may impede escape in the event a fire occurs.

Fire safety is often a component of building safety. Those who inspect buildings for violations of the Fire Code and go into schools to educate children on Fire Safety topics are fire department members known as Fire Prevention Officers. The Chief Fire Prevention Officer or Chief of Fire Prevention will normally train newcomers to the Fire Prevention Division and may also conduct inspections or make presentations.

LOS ANGELES – A building in downtown Los Angeles caught fire Wednesday morning, prompting a large response from firefighters.

The blaze started about 5 a.m. and burned until 8:30 a.m. in the 1300 block of Margo Street, about four blocks from Staples Center, according to Los Angeles Fire Department. Pallets inside the structure contributed to heavy smoke and fire.

KTLA’s helicopter showed video of flames burning through the roof of the commercial structure.

More than 160 firefighters were battling the blaze, according to LAFD spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Concrete structures neighboring the building helped keep the fire from spreading, LAFD Capt. Silverman said.

BUDOKAN OF LOS ANGELES: 

More than 90 of the $24 million needed to build a sports complex in Little Tokyo has been raised, according to nonprofit developer the Little Tokyo Service Center.

The Budokan of Los Angeles would rise at 237-249 S. Los Angeles St. and include a two-court gymnasium. There would also be a rooftop terrace, outdoor event space and community rooms. The complex will host volleyball and basketball games, as well as martial arts lessons and tournament and other activities, said fundraising director Mike Murase.

A groundbreaking for the 63,000-square-foot project is scheduled for next year. Photo by Little Tokyo Service Center

The city in early June selected Los Angeles-based landscape architect Mia Lehrer + Associates to design the First and Broadway Park. The project is now in the final design process. The firm’s vision features a large hardscape plaza as its heart, rather than the flat grass seen in the adjacent Grand Park.

The new park would be anchored by a two-level structure on the northwest corner of the property with a scooped-out amphitheater, with seating underneath the overhang of a “floating” second floor; the second level would likely hold a restaurant.

The north side of the building would have space for a cafe or small store. The design includes a small rock-paved path along Spring Street, as well as some tulip-shaped shade structures scattered around the plaza.

The park is estimated to cost $28 million. According to 14th District City Councilman José Huizar’s office, the councilman since 2013 has secured nearly $21 million in Quimby funds, which are charged to housing developers for park creation, site acquisition, land preparation, design and construction.

The city Department of Recreation and Parks has identified another $3.65 million for the development. Photo by Mia Lehrer + Associates