Hi Ian
it is always a problem in exiting buildings, however, the 900x1400 is 
the minimum space needed for a standard manual wheelchair.
sport style wheelchairs are becoming more common especially amongst 
younger people, these can have wheel spans over 1000 mm.
an outdoor powered wheelchair can be 750x1500 and for heavily built 
people wider.
it is not just the size which needs to be considered the entry angle 
must also be a factor. There needs to be space for an evacuation chair 
and two or more assistants to aid transfer and move onto the stairs.
Remember refuges are not only for wheelchair riders, other people may be 
unable to walk down stairs unaided or would move so slowly they would 
obstruct others evacuating, the single wheelchair space is also the size 
needed for a person with a companion dog.

Bearing the forgoing in mind the minimum size is just that, the minimum. 
Unless alternatives are available management may have to consider 
restricting the number of people who cannot evacuate unaided on that 
floor at any one time or even restricting people to other floors which 
have sufficient space.
Regards
Dave Croft

Ian Watkins wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I would value people’s opinions on refuge area size.
>
> A university is developing an evacuation strategy for staff and 
> students with disabilities in conjunction with a qualified Fire 
> Engineer. Refuge areas are needed as part of the strategy. On some 
> stairway landings where a need for a refuge has been identified there 
> is insufficient space to put a 900x1400mm refuge without obstructing 
> the escape route.
>
> We are trying to work out if a smaller refuge would be better than no 
> refuge. The fact that it would not be a full size refuge would be 
> incorporated in the evacuation strategy and signage. The building is a 
> complex and very large multi-storey building. Immediate assistance may 
> not be available for evacuation hence the need for safe refuges.
>
> The question is;
>
> Would it be acceptable to use a smaller refuge area, say 750x1100mm, 
> given that such a refuge could be used by some people who may not be 
> able to get down the stairs (e.g ambulant disabled persons)? The 
> alternative is no refuge as there are no other fire protected areas 
> that would be suitable.
>
> Many Thanks
>
> Ian
>
> **Ian Watkins** BSc MSc NRAC Auditor
>
> Director
>
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