Stairway Doors Stairways act as a barrier system to fire and smoke. If stairway doors are blocked open their effectiveness for restricting smoke and fire is greatly diminished. Stairway doors must not be blocked open. Doing this may allow smoke to fill the escape route if a fire occurs. A clear exit corridor is a basic requirement for a quick exit from a burning or smoke filled building.
Hallways lose their effectiveness if they are used as storage areas.
Hallway obstruction could seriously hinder or prevent someone from exiting a building quickly and easily during an emergency. A fire alarm system only becomes an important safety component if such alarms are not ignored. Do not wait until you personally detect evidence of smoke or heat. The only time to ignore a fire alarm is if you know for sure that the alarm is only a test. Elevators Only stairways should be used for exiting a building during a fire.