Hi Orla and Alyson
I t certainly is an area that is in need of some common sense guidance, which could form part of training programmes for front line staff and those involved in managing toilet facilities. I would not recommend that the emergency services are automatically called if the alarm is set off, since it could be a false alarm, and also the management of the building need to be responsible for situations that arise in their building and then they can decide on the necessary action to take.
I would also like to see on a regular basis both testing of the alarm and the staff to find out their response.
Regards
Marcus
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alyson Matthews
Sent: 13 May 2013 15:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ACCESSIBUILT] alarms in toilets etc
I agree, Orla. There needs to be a discussion about this. At the very least, expected response to the alarm sounding should form part of the management systems for the venue where the accessible WC is located.
Personally, if I was the person responding to the alarm, I would knock loudly on the door and call out to ask if there was a problem. Depending on the answer, I would open the door (the majority of locks can be opened from the outside with a coin or screwdriver) and announce I was going to open the door before doing so. I would slowly open the door (the person may have fallen behind the door and opening quickly could injure them) and I would peer round before fully opening the door to see where the person was and to preserve their modesty if necessary. I would then act appropriately depending on circumstances - call 999, render first aid, reset the alarm, assist the person back into the wheelchair, alert their friend/carer/companion etc.
I think it would be very useful for some general guidance to be available, maybe very basic training, so that people were aware of what to do in these circumstances. It could help to save a life.
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