Every so often, the fire alarm here at the Office goes off, and even though there are posted notices throughout the building that it’s just a drill, I still lock my computer, fire up my iPod, slip into my coat, and head down via the stairs.

Some of my colleagues join me, more mock me. “It’s just a drill!” and “They’d let us know if it was a real fire!”

A few weeks ago, during a drill, our CFO e-mailed everyone:

Fire Alarm is just a Test. Please do not leave.

I fired back a quick response before heading down and out:

“Just curious: if there was a real fire at a time they’d scheduled a test, how would we know?”

When I came back, I had his answer:

No clue.

So when the fire alarm went off today, despite the scheduled postings, I made my way down and out. Burning to death at work is not something I’m willing to risk, especially since the Office probably wouldn’t know there was a real fire until the smoke starts creeping in under the door.