in the United States one of the most influential fires of all time was the 1911 fire in New York City at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. 146 people died as a consequence of the fire, and in the outrage that followed work was begun on what would later be known as the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association.

One lesson to emerge from the Triangle Shirtwaist fire was the need for every building to have a fire evacuation plan, and make building occupants familiar with the plan. Does your building have a fire evacuation plan? If so, do you receive periodic training on procedures to follow in the event of a fire? If the answer to any of these questions is 'no', then its time for you to start asking questions.