Powys County Council is currently reviewing its procedures for evacuating
disabled people from its buildings under the Regulatory Reform ((Fire Safety)
Order 2005 and the Disability Equality Duty 2006. Access to and evacuation
from upper floors are the main problem and guidance from the Fire Authority
may result in our having to apply restrictions to access for those disabled
people dependant on a lift to reach upper floors if the lift is not fire safe
(those in our libraries are not fire safe). Interim guidance requires such a
person to be accompanied by someone who can assist them with evacuation
in the event of an emergency, and they must be able to be evacuated using
the stairs. Suitably worded signs are to be placed by lifts and stairs. One of
our affected libraries is predominantly single staffed, while the other is multi
staffed.
How are other library authorities dealing with this issue?
Regards
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Helen Edwards
Prif Lyfrgellydd/Principal Librarian
Gwasanaeth Llyfrgelloedd, Gwybodaeth ac Archifau/Libraries, Information and
Archive Service
Cyngor Sir Powys/Powys County Council
Ffôn/tel: 01597 826864
Ffacs/fax: 01597 826872
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