Large buildings have their own set of safety concerns, and this is doubly true in urban areas. Whether they are used for living space or offices, emergency plans must be built into them. Fires are particularly difficult to fight in large buildings and great attention is given to this detail in the planning stages. Automatic sprinkler systems have become mandatory in many urban areas. Evacuation of a building that may hold thousands of people is a major safety concern. Planners must carve out enough space to ensure fire stairs connect all floors to emergency exist.
Placing safety first is a major cost when creating a building. Every square foot devoted to safety is one that cannot be rented for profit. Designers and builders must balance the cost of footage loss against the loss of life in an emergency. Urban safety officials will inspect their safety plans and approve them before issuing permits to begin building.
