There was some debate about evacuation procedures recently on here some I 
thought this might be useful.
Ian Francis.

 ----------
From: Imke Durre
To: doitsem
Subject: Re:  Evacuation w/Disability
Date: 02 July 1997 16:56


Jen and others,

Following is the URL and text of a brochure on evacuation
procedures for people with disabilities published
here at the University of Washington.

Hope this helps.

Imke

for your information   skg

 ---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 10:56:15 -0800 (PST)
From: Mark Murray <[log in to unmask]>
To: Helen Remick <[log in to unmask]>,
    Dyane Haynes <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask],
    Sharon Griffin <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: Barb McPhee <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Web Page

The Brochure, " Emergency Evacuation for Persons with Physical
Disabilities" is now available on our web site at:

www.ehs.washington.edu/fliers/disable.htm

Hope this helps improve access!


Mark D. Murray, PE                      University of Washington
Manager, Fire Safety Section            Environmental Health & Safety
[log in to unmask]                Box 354400
206-543-0465                            Seattle, WA 98195-4400





Campus Health and Safety Emergency Evacuation for Persons with Disabilities



   prepared by:
     * Environmental Health and Safety
     * Standing Committee on Disabilities
     * Disabled Student Services
     * Disability Services Office



  GENERAL



   This brochure provides a general guideline of evacuation procedures
   for fire and other building emergencies. Faculty, staff, students and
   visitors must develop their own facilities evacuation plans and
   identify their primary and secondary evacuation routes from each
   building they use.

   Emergency evacuation plans should include:
     * Being familiar with evacuation options
     * Seeking evacuation assistants who are willing to assist in case of
       an emergency
     * Asking supervisors, instructors, Disabled Student Services, or
       Environmental Health & Safety about evacuation plans for
       buildings.



   Most UW buildings have accessible exits at the ground level floor
   which can be used during an emergency. In buildings like the Health
   Sciences Center or Padelford Hall, people can move into the unaffected
   wings of the building rather than exiting. However, in most UW
   buildings people will need to use stairways to reach building exits.
   Elevators cannot be used because they have been shown to be unsafe to
   use in an emergency and in some buildings they are automatically
   recalled to the ground floor.

  EVACUATION OPTIONS



   Persons without disabilities must evacuate to the nearest exit.
   Persons with disabilities have four basic evacuation options.
     * Horizontal evacuation: using building exits to the outside ground
       level or going into unaffected wings of multi-building complexes.

     * Stairway evacuation: using steps to reach ground level exits from
       the building.

     * Stay in Place: unless danger is imminent, remaining in a room with
       an exterior window, a telephone, and a solid or fire resistant
       door. With this approach, the person may keep in contact with
       emergency services by dialing 9-911 and reporting his or her
       location directly. Emergency services will immediately relay this
       location to on-site emergency personnel, who will determine the
       necessity for evacuation. Phone lines are expected to remain in
       service during most building emergencies. If the phone lines fail,
       the individual can signal from the window by waving a cloth or
       other visible object.

       The Stay in Place approach may be more appropriate for sprinkler
       protected buildings or buildings where an "area of refuge" is not
       nearby or available. It may also be more appropriate for an
       occupant who is alone when the alarm sounds. A "solid" or fire
       resistant door can be identified by a fire label on the jam and
       frame. Non-labeled 1 3/4 inch thick solid core wood doors hung on
       a metal frame also offer good fire resistance.

     * Area of refuge: with an evacuation assistant, going to an area of
       refuge away from obvious danger. The evacuation assistant will
       then go to the building evacuation assembly point and notify the
       on site emergency personnel of the location of the person with a
       disability. Emergency personnel will determine if further
       evacuation is necessary.

       Usually, the safest areas of refuge are pressurized stair
       enclosures common to high-rise buildings, and open air exit
       balconies. Other possible areas of refuge include: fire rated
       corridors or vestibules adjacent to exit stairs, and a pressurized
       elevator lobbies. Many campus buildings feature fire rated
       corridor construction that may offer safe refuge. Taking a
       position in a rated corridor next to the stair is a good
       alternative to a small stair landing crowded with the other
       building occupants using the stairway. For assistance in
       identifying areas of refuge, call EH&S, Fire Safety at 543-0465.



   For false or needless alarms or an isolated and contained fire, a
   person with a disability may not have to evacuate. The decision to
   evacuate will be made by the Seattle Fire Department (SFD). The SFD
   will tell the individual their decision or relay the information via
   the University of Washington Police Department (UWPD).

  DISABILITY GUIDELINES



   Prior planning and practicing of emergency evacuation routes are
   important in assuring a safe evacuation.

   Mobility Impaired Wheelchair

   Persons using wheelchairs should Stay in Place, or move to an area of
   refuge with their assistant when the alarm sounds. The evacuation
   assistant should then proceed to the evacuation assembly point outside
   the building and tell SFD or UWPD the location of the person with a
   disability. If the person with a disability is alone, he/she should
   phone emergency services at 9-911 with their present location and the
   area of refuge they are headed too.

   If the stair landing is chosen as the area of refuge, please note that
   many campus buildings have relatively small stair landings, and
   wheelchair users are advised to wait until the heavy traffic has
   passed before entering the stairway.

   Stairway evacuation of wheelchair users should be conducted by trained
   professionals. (SFD). Only in situations of extreme danger should
   untrained people attempt to evacuate wheelchair users. Moving a
   wheelchair down stairs is never safe.

   Mobility Impaired - Non Wheelchair

   Persons with mobility impairments, who are able to walk independently
   may be able to negotiate stairs in an emergency with minor assistance.
   If danger is imminent the individual should wait until the heavy
   traffic has cleared before attempting the stairs. If there is no
   immediate danger (detectable smoke, fire, or unusual odor), the person
   with a disability may choose to stay in the building, using the other
   options, until the emergency personnel arrive and determine if
   evacuation is necessary.

   Hearing Impaired

   Some buildings on campus are equipped with fire alarm strobe lights;
   however, many are not. Persons with hearing impairments may not hear
   audio emergency alarms and will need to be alerted of emergency
   situations. Emergency instructions can be given by writing a short
   explicit note to evacuate.

   Reasonable accommodations for persons with hearing impairments may be
   met by modifying the building fire alarm system, particularly for
   occupants who spend most of their day in one location. Persons needing
   such accommodation should contact Disability Services office. (See
   below).

   Visually Impaired

   Most people with a visual impairment will be familiar with their
   immediate surroundings and frequently traveled routes. Since the
   emergency evacuation route is likely different from the commonly
   traveled route, persons who are visually impaired may need assistance
   in evacuating. The assistant should offer their elbow to the
   individual with a visual impairment and guide him or her through the
   evacuation route. During the evacuation the assistant should
   communicate as necessary to assure safe evacuation.






   This brochure is designed to complement the University Emergency Plan
       - Departmental Planning Guide, and to provide general information
       and promote planning. If you have any questions call
       Environmental Health & Safety, Fire Safety Section at 543-0465,
       or the Disabled Student Services Office at 543-8924 (V/TDD).

       This brochure can be made available in alternate formats for
       persons with disabilities. Please contact the Disability Services
       0ffice with any requests at least 10 days in advance. 543-6450
       (Voice); 543-6452 (tty); 685-3885 (FAX); [log in to unmask]
       (e-mail).




   Revision 8/96


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