2. DISABLED PERSONS AND PERSONS WHO REQUIRE ASSISTANCE
2.1 Planning for evacuation is about planning for exceptional circumstances and disabled people are no different from anyone else in that they prefer to be in control of their own evacuation. As much as possible, the aim should be to enable disabled people to evacuate independently.
2.2 Not all disabled people will require assisted evacuation.
2.3 Arrangements for the evacuation of disabled people should be compatible with the general evacuation strategy and the emergency fire action plan for the premises.
2.4 The responsibility for implementing the plan and evacuating persons safely in the event of an emergency will rest with duty holders: an evacuation plan for disabled people must not rely upon the intervention of the Fire and Rescue Service to make it work.
2.5 An evacuation plan for disabled people is commonly known as a PEEP: Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. The PEEP explains the method of evacuation to be used by a disabled person in each area of a building. It should not be assumed that because a person has a disability they will need or ask for a PEEP. Some will be confident that they can get out of the building unaided. It should also be noted that people with hidden impairments such as heart conditions, mental health issues or epilepsy may require assistance in an emergency.
2.6 The following principles should guide the preparation and implementation of a PEEP:
• The same rules of courtesy and respect apply to disabled and non-disabled people alike. Disabled people should not be treated as a “health and safety problem” to be resolved.
• See the person, not the disability; needs and preferences vary widely between individuals.
• Disabled people should be meaningfully involved at all stages in the development and review of their PEEP.
• In an evacuation, ask—don’t assume—when determining what assistance a disabled person might need. The individual best understands the nature and effects of their impairment.
• The disabled person should be kept fully informed throughout their evacuation.
2.7 When producing an evacuation plan which includes disabled people, it should be remembered that people cannot be expected to react exactly as planned in any emergency. Non-disabled people (including those who have worked for years in a building) will often make their way to the exit they are familiar with rather than the most suitable escape route.
2.8 Good communication and appropriate training for staff and management regarding the emergency evacuation process are vital to ensure success. Staff and managers must fully understand the evacuation plan for the building so they can provide assistance to a disabled person irrespective of their impairment. Provision of a fully integrated PEEP system will improve safety for everyone using the building while helping identify weaknesses in existing evacuation plans.
2.9 All staff involved in the process of providing evacuation plans should have a good standard of equality and disability awareness to ensure they do not inadvertently discriminate against disabled people. Additional training will depend on the role of each individual but may include:
Disability awareness
• Disability evacuation etiquette
• Moving, lifting and handling techniques
• Good practice in communication, including use of communication
systems
• Appreciation of fire resisting enclosures
• Importance of using pre-planned routes
2.10 Staff have a vital role in communicating the evacuation plan to visitors with disabilities, and the attitude and awareness of staff are important.
2.11 Where staff members have specific roles, it is important that if those persons leave or are absent for any reason, their role is allocated in a timely manner to another suitably trained person, either permanently or for the period of absence.
2.12 Systems and equipment used for evacuation need regular checks or testing.
2.13 Where a disabled person can undertake their evacuation unaided, it may take them longer than the time taken for persons without disabilities. In the event of fire, they should be given the opportunity to take the safest route which offers the longest period of safety. This may be through an adjacent fire compartment with a fire-resistance rating and down an escape stair from this area. Estimating the approximate time required for the disabled person’s evacuation will contribute to the planning process along with the amount of staff support required. However, a fire situation may render a particular route unusable, and where more than one escape route exists, any of those routes may be required to be used by disabled people.
2.14 Employers are responsible for ensuring that employees are provided with suitable evacuation plans. Staff with disabilities should be offered a suitable evacuation plan during their induction process or where there is any change in circumstances affecting their ability to exit the building.
2.15 It is more difficult to organise an evacuation plan for people who are casually visiting a building or using a service on a one-off basis. However, by assessing the difficulty in evacuating the premises and the types of evacuation that can be provided, it becomes easier to address needs. Where it is not possible to provide a bespoke plan for each individual, a system of standard plans may be used.
2.16 The provision of standard PEEPs takes account of the following:
• the disabled person’s movements within the building
• the operational procedures within the building
• the types of escape that can be made available
• the building systems, e.g. the emergency alarm
• the existing egress plan
2.17 Standard plans are written procedures that can be used as options for disabled people to choose from. They are held at the reception points within the building and are advertised and offered to people as part of the entry/reception procedures. A disabled person requiring assisted escape is offered options for their assistance and provided with suitable instructions.
2.18 It is understood by most people that when an emergency alarm is activated, they must leave the building by the nearest exit as quickly as possible and reach a place of ultimate safety. The management of the building is required to keep escape routes clear and free from obstruction and to ensure that exits are readily available for use on quick-release devices that also offer protection from unwanted or illegal entry. However, everyone using a building should also take some responsibility for their own safety wherever possible.
2.19 This responsibility also applies to disabled people; therefore, disabled people can be expected to identify themselves when they are informed of the availability of a choice of evacuation plans and cooperate by providing any information necessary for the safe execution of the plan.
2.20 Wheelchair users normally have difficulty evacuating when on a floor other than an accessible level. However, some people who frequently use a wheelchair may be able to walk a little and assist with their own evacuation or even achieve independent evacuation. Assumptions should not be made about the abilities of wheelchair users—they should be asked about their preferences, and their wishes should be respected.
2.21 If the preferred horizontal evacuation or the use of a lift is not available, the person may require assistance from one or more people. Alternatively, it may be necessary to carry the person down (or up) escape stairs.
2.22 There are several methods that may be appropriate for carrying down people with mobility impairments using two, three or four people. All carry-down techniques require a risk assessment (including manual handling assessment) and training for the carriers. Important issues include the availability and physical capability of carriers and whether the width of the stair is sufficient for the team to move freely and safely.
2.23 An evacuation chair looks like a deckchair with skis and wheels underneath and is manoeuvred by one or two people. When placed on a stairway it slides down the stair. The wheels facilitate movement on flat surfaces, but these chairs are not suitable for long distances. Some disabled people may not feel confident using these chairs, and some wheelchair users may not be able to transfer into an evacuation chair or maintain a sitting position. Therefore, evacuation chairs should not be regarded as an automatic solution for disabled people.
2.24 The provision of evacuation chairs must be accompanied by a full system of evacuation for disabled people, with operators trained and familiar with the equipment. Regular practice should take place. In most cases, practice should include the disabled person, although some may prefer not to practice being moved in the chair.
2.25 Where used, the device may be allocated to a particular person and kept either alongside their work location or in the most suitable refuge near them.
2.26 Where a visitor requests a method of evacuation and an appropriate device is available, along with trained personnel, the person responsible for booking them into the building should arrange for the equipment to be brought to the most suitable location for the duration of the visit.
2.27 In buildings with open public access, it may be advisable to provide evacuation chairs at suitable points—e.g., one at each staircase on each level. However, providing them on the top floor and having a system to quickly bring them to the refuge may also be acceptable depending on the safety measures and building conditions.
2.28 People who use powered wheelchairs may have less mobility than those who use manual wheelchairs, although there are exceptions. Consultation with the disabled person is essential. If no suitable lift is available, the wheelchair may need to be left in the building due to weight and size, and another method—such as assisted carrying or using an evacuation chair—may be required. Assistance may be challenging if the person has limited mobility and is heavy.
2.29 PEEPs for people who have mobility impairment or use a wheelchair should consider the provision of reasonable adjustments such as:
• The provision of handrails on escape routes
• Whether handrails are on one or both sides
• How far the distance of travel is on routes
• The provision and extent of fire compartments, to limit the speed of fire and
smoke
• The provision and location of evacuation chairs
• The availability of staff to assis
