Dear Rachel,

I think that the topic of evac chairs is one of those that goes round and
round and probably merits quite a bit of discussion.

Most health and safety officers that I have met swear by them and have
installed them in the building. Almost to a person, disabled people that I
have talked to would rather not use them, (The strength of this expression
has been that some would rather burn - though who knows what they would do
in the flames).

The real difficulties are;

How many do you have?

Where should they go - do you know where all your disabled people needing
assistance are going to be at any one time - and what if they all go to
lunch together - 5 evac chairs by the canteen?

They rely on able-bodied people knowing how to use them. As most of us are
desk jockeys, the exertion may cause injury. Lifting/transferring a disabled
person requires care and skill - long disused limbs break easily - worth it
if there is a fire, but in a flase alarm?

Does the disabled person have to ensure that there are people around before
they can work late?

The chairs and the training are expensive, and need to be regularly
maintained and re-trained.

What are the alternatives?

The principle alternative is the area of refuge to BS 5588 part 8 :1988.
This defines areas of the building which are protected for 30 minutes and
from which disabled people can be evacuated. The disabled person is
responsible for their own evacuation into the area of safety and they are
rescued by the evacuating authorities. Areas of refuge were made famous by
an MOD proposal quoted in the Express and called cupboards. Obviously a
system designed like this would not have anyone in it - they have to be at a
stair head, in the line of vision of people escaping and we insist on a
voice communication system with the fire alarm panel (which is where the
brigade will be).

This can be allied to training courses which teach people to carry
wheelcahir users 'in their chairs'. - it suffers from the same difficulties
as the evac chairs, but carries less risk for all concerned.

ANY system MUST be combined with a PEP - Personal Evacuation Plan, which is
agreed with the disabled person concerned. They can tour the buildings that
theya re going to use at the beginning of the year, and document their best
methods of escape, including where and how to use refuges etc, and how to
use fire extinguishers.

It is more involved than just buying an evac chair - but then life safety
always is!

I hope this gives more answers than it poses questions!

Regards



James 

James Holmes-Siedle
Director
All Clear Designs Limited
3rd Floor, Cooper House
2 Michael Road
London SW6 2ER
Tel 0171 384 2950
Fax 0171 384 2951
email [log in to unmask]
Cserve 100451,3571



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