www.tripleaconsult.co.uk TripleAconsult Interpreting regulations & standards to optimize disability provisioning “clear solutions in a complex world” www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Conservatively one fifth of the population are disabled
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Disablement – covers over 2000 conditions wheelchair users 700,000 (of which only 5 – 7% cannot leave their wheelchairs) reading difficulties 2.5 - 6 million visual impairments 2.5 - 3 million deaf or hard of hearing 8.5 million arthritis 15 million mental health the largest group facts and figures www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Physical impairment 29% of all fatal fires involved the physically impaired 21% of all fires involved people with mobility impairments (limited mobility/bed ridden/wheelchair user) Time of day – majority in the morning (29%) minority at night time (18%) facts and figures
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Mental impairment 16% of all fatal fires involved the mental impaired Depression was the most common form of mental impairment – 44% of cases Majority of mental impairment cases in 50-59 year olds – 23% Time of day – majority in the morning (29%) minority in the evening (21%) and night time (21%) facts and figures www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Legislation & Guidance
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Disability Discrimination Act Disability Equality Duty Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Article 14: Emergency routes and exits Article 15: Procedures for serious and imminent danger and for danger areas legislation www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Building Regulations & British Standards Part B, BS 9999:2008 33 separate references to fire safety for disabled people Section 46 Part M & BS 8300:2009 Guidance from DCLG: 17 Guides 1 supplementary Guide “Means of Escape for Disabled People” Designing for Accessibility legislation
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Article 14 (b): “in the event of danger, it must be possible for persons to evacuate the premises as quickly and as safely as possible” legislation www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Article 15 (1): a) (a) establish and, where necessary, give effect to appropriate procedures, including safety drills, to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger to relevant persons; b) (b) nominate a sufficient number of competent persons to implement those procedures in so far as they relate to the evacuation of relevant persons form the premises; legislation
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk BS 9999:2008 Clause 46.1 on the Evacuation of Disabled People states: “It is important to note that it is the responsibility of the premises management to ensure that all people can make a safe evacuation. The evacuation should not rely on the assistance of the fire and rescue service.” legislation www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Emergency evacuation Cost effective, safe
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Approach depends on the building type and configuration: Office building, tends to be controlled, known to staff with visitors escorted Public building, broader strategy required ie must be anticipatory fire safety www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Impact of disabilities on means of escape wheelchairs users – clearly identified refuge areas and assisted escape devices impaired vision – clarity of environment, familiarisation, assistance, colour navigation, clear signage impaired hearing – clear signage, auxiliary aids (eg vibrating pagers) learning difficulties – clear signage, reassurance and assistance, emergency evacuation
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Something you might not consider! There is absolutely no point in designing in physical features that provide temporary fire protected refuges – if people are abandoned there! It is NOT the Fire Authority’s responsibility to affect an evacuation of the building Evacuation management strategies are crucial emergency evacuation www.tripleaconsult.co.uk BS 9999:2008 and Evacuation Planning
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Case study: Social housing accommodation 16 storey high rise – 1 of 10 high rise in portfolio General needs (first seven floors convertible) 11 million pound refurbishment evacuation planning www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Escape Phase Fire Fighting Phase Stair door left ajar. Pre movement Apartment door opens for 30s Smoke clearance in Detection corridor Apartment door fully open 30s 180s 600s 150s 300s 450s ‘Fast’ Growing Fire Steady State Fire evacuation planning
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk BS 9999:2009 Guidance: Fire protected two-way internal communications to enable disabled people to communicate with either the central control centre on the ground floor if during office hours, or the Fire and Rescue Services; Coloured signage or wall surfaces to assist those with learning or mental health issues to navigate to these areas; Reduced audible alarm levels to ensure that communication can be received; A life slider or assisted escape device to assist with the evacuation of uncontrolled visitors who are unable to negotiate the stairs. evacuation planning www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Building Regulations & British Standards Part B, BS 9999:2008 33 separate references to fire safety for disabled people Section 46 BS 9999:2008
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk General: sections 1 - 10 Disabled evacuation sections 14 & 46 Horizontal/vertical escape: section 17/clause 18.1/18.8 Fire doors: clause 33.1.6 Stairs: clause 18.5 Lifts: clauses 46.9/46/10 Refuges: clause 46.8 & annex G Evacuation strategies section 12 PEEPS: clause 46.7 Test drills/training: clauses 46.11/46.12 Sheltered Housing: annex Q BS 9999:2008 www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Level 1 (Identify) Homechoice Issue PEEPs Input from other agencies questionnaire (e.g. Social Services) Estate Officers consults with tenant and collates specific data Specific Standard assistance No Evacuation required? Procedures Yes Level 2 (Analyse) Input from Access Prepare PEEP Assessment Estate Officers Discuss & agree PEEP with tenant Estate Officers Update Fire Wallet and inform FRS Estate Officers order Auxiliary aids Yes and check for delivery to required? tenant No Level 3 (Implement) 2-4 week follow-up visit Arrangements Make No satisfactory? corrections Yes Estate Officers Level 4 (Review) Update Fire Wallet and inform FRS Every 6 months - Estate Officers Reviews PEEP with tenant evacuation planning
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Things to consider: Location The disabled persons capabilities The type of disability – is it progressive Auxiliary aids such as walking sticks, frames, wheelchairs Buddies – friends, neighbours Assisted escape devices Realistic assessment of evacuation timescales Test drills Monitoring and review PEEPs
www.tripleaconsult.co.uk Next Steps www.tripleaconsult.co.uk TripleAconsult “clear solutions in a complex world”
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