Chicago May Require High-Rise Evacuation Plans

CHICAGO-Owners and managers of high-rise office and multifamily buildings will be required to file evacuation plans with the city. Although many property managers have already conducted evacuation drills in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the city council is expected to approve an ordinance requiring written evacuation plans later this month.

“Anyone who owns a high-rise building, they have a responsibility, and we’re going to be working with them on fire safety or police safety in any building in an emergency,” says Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, who introduced the ordinance. “More stringent evacuation measures need to be put in place in high-rise buildings to ensure that the occupants are able to get out safely.”

The rules apply to any building higher than 80 feet.