No. I will not serve you while the building is on fire.

[Monterey Jack]

I worked for the box office. The alarm went off during the middle of a show once. A bunch of people in the theater were smart, and left the building. I had to deny them refunds on the tickets because it wasn't a real fire.

What? If you pay to see a movie, and get shooed out by the fire alarm, even if there's no fire, you should be compensated for your ticket, because you didn't get to see the full movie (nothing pisses me off more than only seeing part of a movie). When I saw Snow White & The Huntsman a few years back, the fire alarm went off about 90 minutes into the movie (turned out to be a false alarm), and everyone who had a ticket stub got a complimentary pass for a future screening (plus, they were allowed back in to see the rest of their movie once the alarm was shut off). I mean, it's one thing to stand there and demand a refund on the spot when the building might be on fire instead of evacuating, but you should get your money back eventually.

[computeraide]

Probably because their families of Idiocracy prototypes would be the first to sue.

Welcome to Costco, I love you...

[MoonCat]

Years ago when the fire alarm went off at work, we were told to stay at our desks and keep taking calls while the manager found out if it was a false alarm or not. That happened a couple of times.

Until the fire dept. found out.

Since then nobody has ever tried to make us stay there when the alarm goes off unexpectedly (we do have regular scheduled drills).

Recently some idiot sent an envelope with white powder in it to the building. Protocol was followed, meaning cops are called and the building is closed: No one comes in or goes out until management gets the all-clear. Apparently some visitors were in the building and griped about not being allowed to leave, and another customer who had to pick something up was outside, bitching about it on her cellphone.

[strawbabies]

I mean, it's one thing to stand there and demand a refund on the spot when the building might be on fire instead of evacuating, but you should get your money back eventually.

They paused the show during the alarm, then just started it back up when the noise stopped. Casino logic is that they should've stayed in the building until security said to evacuate, so no refunds when they came back an hour or two later because they had the opportunity to see the whole thing. I can't figure out why I was dumb enough to work in a place like that for almost 3 years.

[WishfulSpirit]

Until the fire dept. found out.

Since then nobody has ever tried to make us stay there when the alarm goes off unexpectedly (we do have regular scheduled drills).

And you have no idea how they found out, right?

[wolfie]

everyone around here knows you DON'T mess around with a hurricane.

But do you Messerschmidt around with a Hurricane?

[dalesys]

But do you Messerschmidt around with a Hurricane?

...but that Focker was flying a Messerschmitt!

[Seshat]

They paused the show during the alarm, then just started it back up when the noise stopped. Casino logic is that they should've stayed in the building until security said to evacuate, so no refunds when they came back an hour or two later because they had the opportunity to see the whole thing.

I think at least one of the customers should have contacted the local fire department about that rule.

Doesn't matter if the customer got the refund out of it - having the fire chief chew out whoever was responsible for the rule is the point.

[BearLeeBadenaugh]

Worst fire alarm test I ever experienced was in the grid of a theatre. Inspector triggered the roof shutters as part of his test, and apparently they hadn't been opened in ages. About a metric crapton of bird nest and excrement came sliding through. Woe on me for being in the grid inspecting rigging pulleys.

Took six hours to clean that mess up.

[MoonCat]

And you have no idea how they found out, right?

God's honest truth, it wasn't me.

One of my co-workers at the time was married to a firefighter. He flipped out when he heard. And apparently the next time it happened, someone also blabbed to a firefighter who showed up to deal with the problem (minor electrical panel fire or something). Between the two, the powers-that-be (or were, 20 years ago) got the message. You DO NOT prevent people from leaving the building if the alarm goes off. Ever.

[dalesys]

The thread title "No. I will not serve you while the building is on fire." makes mr think of the Doctor.

Suess.

I will not serve you playing a lyre...

[nutraxfornerves]

I worked in a 25-story building. Uber Boss took fire drills very seriously. Each floor had several emergency wardens, in charge of making sure the place evacuated. Anyone not cooperating had their name forwarded to Uber Boss. The result was a Not Pleasant conversation. Especially for the manager who tried to hide under his desk and continue his phone call.

Worst story I heard of was from someone whose previous job had been in a multi story building. Fire alarms go off; people assume it's yet another drill and reluctantly start walking down the stairwell. When the first people, those on the lowest floors, get to the the exit door, they discover that there is a horrendous rainstorm in progress. They refuse to leave.

That wasn't exactly a good idea. Naturally, the stairwell starts backing up with poeple who couldn't move. Not only that, but it wasn't a drill. There really was a fire in some piece of rooftop equipment. People from the top floors could smell the smoke. They began to panic when they discovered that they couldn't get out of the building.

Fortunately, the fire department arrived in time to prevent one of those horrible "people trampled and smothered in stairway" tragedies. The firefighters grabbed people and yanked them out of the building, until the people caught on that the firefighters meant business. Luckily, it was a very minor fire--little damage and, thanks to the firefighters, no one was injured, except for a few bruises & scrapes from being tossed out the door.

[eltf177]

I worked in a 25-story building. Uber Boss took fire drills very seriously. Each floor had several emergency wardens, in charge of making sure the place evacuated. Anyone not cooperating had their name forwarded to Uber Boss. The result was a Not Pleasant conversation. Especially for the manager who tried to hide under his desk and continue his phone call.

Worst story I heard of was from someone whose previous job had been in a multi story building. Fire alarms go off; people assume it's yet another drill and reluctantly start walking down the stairwell. When the first people, those on the lowest floors, get to the the exit door, they discover that there is a horrendous rainstorm in progress. They refuse to leave.

That wasn't exactly a good idea. Naturally, the stairwell starts backing up with poeple who couldn't move. Not only that, but it wasn't a drill. There really was a fire in some piece of rooftop equipment. People from the top floors could smell the smoke. They began to panic when they discovered that they couldn't get out of the building.

Fortunately, the fire department arrived in time to prevent one of those horrible "people trampled and smothered in stairway" tragedies. The firefighters grabbed people and yanked them out of the building, until the people caught on that the firefighters meant business. Luckily, it was a very minor fire--little damage and, thanks to the firefighters, no one was injured, except for a few bruises & scrapes from being tossed out the door.

This could really have turned into another Coconut Grove! Glad everyone got out ok!

[Seshat]

I totally agree!

Wet is better than dead, and much better than crushed by a panicking mob!


Those stuck up the top were also at serious risk for smoke inhalation injuries; or smothering in smoke. Top of a building is no place to be when there's a fire.

[Air_Stewardess]

customersruinmylife - you sure do get the weirdos!

I wonder what would happen if one of my planes had to evacuate one day - people sitting around moaning? God forbid that ever happens - if people want to die of smoke inhalation I'm not going to risk my life to save them. Whenever a passenger is rude or arsey to me I smile I think "I wouldn't save you mate" and then you get a little sweet elderly lady who I would absolutely help!

I was in a Starbucks once when the fire alarm went off and the staff had to physically push people out.