Hello all,
I would like to add my pennyworth to the discussion on emergency egress
because I think that in my twenty years experience with Access Groups I
have found that it is a subject that is badly neglected, by Access
groups and Training course administrators.
Emergency egress is a subject that is often forgotten because we rarely
have to use emergency facilities but when an emergency arises it may be
too late to discover that they are inadequate.
I have learned by experience; in the 1950`s I was trapped in a space 20
feet above ground level with a very hot fire between me and the only
exit with the result the clothes were burned off my back. Again in the
1960`s I was trapped for an hour in a below ground chamber with my only
egress stairs on fire, and was badly affected by smoke inhalation.
This has taught me to ensure that Emergency egress is available, whether
in a Hotel or when attending meetings. In fact I refuse to attend
meetings if I am unhappy with evacuation facilities and procedures.
Although ambulant, I have a spinal injury which makes it very dangerous
to use stairs.
Last summer, I attended a meeting on the second floor of a large leisure
complex; for once I took Evacuation procedures for granted. It was a
mistake because when a Fire alarm sounded, the building was evacuated
except for me and my carer. No body came to see if we were out of the
building. The area where we were left had no means of communication, no
seats, and was not marked as a safe refuge.
Luckily the alarm turned out to be false , but following the event I
managed to get hold of the seven page Emergency procedures action Plan
for the Complex. It contained no reference to disability, provision of
emergency evacuation facilities, or of the need for regular Emergency
Evacuation exercises as suggested in BS 5588 Part 8.
In addition to making suggestions to the management, a copy of the
Action plan with proposed improvements, has been sent to the Disability
Rights Commission as evidence of the need for the new Disability
Discrimination Bill and for inclusion in the Code of Practice.
I consider that emergency facilities, including signage, information in
suitable formats. Stair design etc is a must in all Access Audits and
training programmes for Access Groups, auditors and consultants.
As poor as the information is, that is provided in Part B and BS5588
part 8 is, it is a better reference than none at all.
Cliff Croft
Neath Port Talbot Access Group
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