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FEMA U.S. Fire Administration
Escape From Fire: Once You're Out Stay Out

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE:
Once you have made your way out of a burning building you may already be suffering the effects from lack of oxygen.

These Effects Include:

• at 21% Oxygen Level -- Normal Atmospheric Level
• at 19.5% Oxygen Level -- Minimum Healthful Level
• at 15-19% Oxygen Level -- Decreased Stamina and Coordination, also may induce early symptoms described below.
• at 12-14% Oxygen Level -- Breathing rate increases with exertion, increase in heart rate. Impaired coordination, perception, and judgment.
• at 10-12% Oxygen Level -- Breathing further increases in rate and depth, lips turn blue. Poor judgment.
• at 8-10% Oxygen level -- Mental failure, fainting, unconsciousness, nausea, and vomiting.
• at 6-8% Oxygen Level -- Fatal after 6- 8 minutes.
• at 4-6% Oxygen Level -- Coma in 40 seconds, convulsions, respiration ceases, and death occurs.

One of the major effects of lack of oxygen is the impairment of judgment. You may not realize it, but the possible exposure of lack of oxygen on the way out may impair your ability to think clearly and rationally. Even if you are not affected, others who escaped with you may display this impairment of judgment.IT IS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM RE-ENTERING!

OTHER DANGERS

• Another hazard which exists in a burning building is the presence of toxic gases. Carbon monoxide is a main byproduct of fire. It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. In high concentration it immediately can cause unconsciousness and subsequent death. Even in moderate amounts carbon monoxide can cause impairment of mental functions much similar to the lack of oxygen.
• Fire itself is a serious hazard in that it can cause fatal or debilitating burn injuries. A building fire can generate heat upwards of 1,500°F. Keep in mind that water boils at 212°F, and that most foods are cooked at temperatures of less than 500°F. There is the possible danger of flashover where a room is immediately engulfed in flames in an explosion-like reaction.
• Gas mains, propane tanks, and even small arms ammunition can explode causing serious injury.
• The structural integrity of the building can be affected during fire. Ceilings and walls can collapse on top of you, the floors can fall from underneath your feet, and other structures such as stairways and porches can collapse.
• Often electrical lines can become exposed inside the building and fall from outside connections to the ground on the exterior of the building. This can result in electrocution.

Finally...
Go to a safe place (preferably prearranged) far enough away from the building in case of collapse or explosion and perform a head count of those who were in the building with you (family members or co-workers).

• If someone is missing it is critically important that this be conveyed to arriving Firefighting Personnel. Tell them who and how many people are missing and where they were last seen.

DO NOT GO BACK IN AND TRY TO FIND THOSE MISSING

Seek medical care if you or any others who escaped from the burning building are injured. Keep in mind that the symptoms of lack of oxygen and/or exposure to toxic gases can closely resemble those of alcohol intoxication. Get these people immediate medical attention.
Seek shelter from the elements in a safe neighboring building, especially in the cold, rain, and extreme heat.

Ask Firefighting Officials or a neighbor to notify insurance company, nearby relatives, or the Red Cross to arrange lodging (if applicable).

If you are not going to remain in the building, make sure your property is secure. Ensure the police are aware of the building being unattended. Lock up or board up open windows and doors.

NEVER RE-ENTER! RESULTS COULD BE DEADLY!
One of the greatest hazards to life that exists in a building fire of any magnitude is the lack of sufficient oxygen.

Oxygen not only is essential for human life, but also is key to supporting the life of the fire. When fire and humans compete for the limited amount of oxygen within a burning building, fire always wins!

Most fire fatalities are caused because of this. It is often referred to as death from smoke inhalation but put in much simpler terms it is death by suffocation.

The dangers of oxygen displacement in a burning building as well as other hazards including the presence of toxic gases, the fire itself, the risk of explosion, building collapse, and electrocution make reentering a burning structure a dangerous, if not deadly proposition.

Some of the information in this publication has been provided to the United States Fire Administration by the
Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner's Office.

For more information or copies of this publication, please contact:

United States Fire Administration
Federal Emergency Management Agency
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727

FA-246/February 2003

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