I'm sure there probably are, however, for the same reason building codes rarely get implemented, someone may be getting payed off to do things as cheaply as possible.

The high-rise fire a few years ago in Shanghai may be changing that, however. It brought attention to the situation of what can happen in regards to loss of life and property damage when stringent safety codes are not used and, better yet, enforced.

Until then, live low to the ground.

I've seen a fire alarms, and emergency light systems in case of lost of power, even in a building that I live in.

My staircase  is clean and empty, front door opens outside and lock can be unlocked with a push of the button even if there is no electricity... etc.

So I will not have a problem to evacuate from 8-th floor ICE

And it is small city (ok, new building).

If You don't feel save, and this safety is needed - maybe change the building?

I used to worry a lot when going to restaurants and the theater.  Yes, for the most part,we would be screwed as these exits are often times blocked, chained, etc.

I just hope for the best when going out. Not a thing we can do about it.

With 7000 years of history, you can't pretend too much.

But generally speaking, it seems that only some huge and new office buildings have this kind of fire system. Old one, you may see the sprinklers, but I am not sure they are working.

In case of fire, well try to learn how to fly.

In my previous building, there wasn't any safety regulations (and you can't rely on Chinese people when they see the warning no smoking in a lift to do it), so I used to leave two big bottles of water on the front door in case of emergency.

China has a lot of huge buildings, but firemen don't have any trucks able to reach high buildings, because it costs too much to buy this kind of truck (at least in Shanghai).

As for Chinese people in general, they don't have any clue about safety rules, and even if they are safety regulations and stickers in front of the building, they are just for decoration.

Once I saw smoke coming up to our floor, but didn't see any fire. I was alone with my child. I took one bottle and went down and saw a stupid woman burning papers because of their traditions, besides shouting to her all the bad words in Chinese, I took the liberty to put water and stop the smoke.

So don't think about it too much or stop living in China.

In event of fire in high rise building, complete the following actions.

1. Phone your loved one and tell her to get out the insurance and you love him / her.

2. Put head between legs look at your ass.

3. Kiss it goodbye!

In all honesty having seen the huge free for all just to get on the bus I don't want to even think about the panic that would ensue from a few hundred / thousand people trying to get out of a building down a dark 30 storey staircase with obstructions and perhaps smoke!

you are screwed just make sure you tell them to bury u face down with your booty in the air so people have a place to park their bikes

prefigure out how much bungie cord you need. probably the only time you would try it.