What is the primary hazard of high-rise firefighting?

The primary hazard of high-rise firefighting centers around the difficulty in accessing water supply and the increased challenges related to evacuation. High-rise buildings, due to their height, often have limited access for fire apparatus, which can complicate establishing a reliable water supply at the upper floors where fires may occur. Municipal water supply systems may not provide the pressure needed at higher elevations, requiring firefighters to use additional equipment such as standpipes or even relay pumping from the ground level.

In addition, the evacuation of occupants in high-rise buildings poses a significant challenge. The sheer number of floors can lead to prolonged evacuation times, especially if stairwells become congested or if there are issues such as smoke or fire blocking exits. These factors create an environment where both the firefighting efforts and the safety of occupants are at significant risk, making this a critical hazard to consider in high-rise scenarios.