Hi Rob
I would question the basic safety of the original building if large 
numbers need to be assisted up and down stairs. the floor size minimum 
for needing a refuge is likely to be questionable in a residential home 
in any event and a risk assessment should be made in relation to the 
number of residents, staff ability and equipment.
The DoH are supposed to be reviewing the Firecode, but after waiting 
over 2 years there is still no new issue giving good guidance for 
nursing and residential homes.

There should be a Risk Assessment of the situation during the 
refurbishment which covers evacuation of residents while routes are 
disrupted. If people cannot be evacuated safely the company will have to 
provide safe alternative accommodation. with appropriate staff levels, 
equipment and services.
you did not note if the new lift will be to evacuation lift standards, 
something which should be considered in light of the residential homes 
fires in Scotland and N England a while back.

Dave Croft


Bracewell, Robert wrote:

> Dear list members
>  
> I have been contacted by an elderly gentleman who lives in a privately 
> run sheltered housing complex in Morecambe.
>
> The lift in the building is being replaced and will be out of action 
> for five weeks next month.
> He says that there are many elderly people in the building (including 
> himself) who need a lift as they cannot get up and down the stairs. 
> With the lift being out of action he and the other affected will find 
> it difficult to make the journey up and down and one of the reasons he 
> moved into the building was because it has a lift.
>
> He has discussed the situation with the management and they are 
> unwilling to provide any alternative arrangements. He says that he has 
> been told that because a private company owns the building they do not 
> have to provide any alternative arrangements.
>
> Is there anything he can do to try and put pressure on the company - 
> perhaps under the disability discrimination act?
>
>  
> It is proving difficult to find any references, precedents or even 
> guidance regarding such works. I am aware that they need to replace 
> the lift, but apart from installing another temporary lift, I can't 
> see how they can reasonably provide an alternative.
>  
> Anyone got any ideas?
>  
> Regards,
>  
> Rob
>  
> _______________________________________________
> Rob Bracewell BA (Hons)
> Access Officer,
> Forward Planning Team, 
> Lancaster City Council,
> Palatine Hall,
> Dalton Square,
> Lancaster,
> LA1 1PW
> Tel. & Minicom. 01524 582372 (please use announcer)
> Mob. 07792439623
> Fax. 01524 582322
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>  
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