EVACUATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE

(Document under constant review)

HEALTH & SAFETY UNIT

JANUARY

2008

CONTENTS

PAGE

1.INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................1 2.PLANNINGANEVACUATIONPROCEDURE .......................................................1 3.PERSONALEMERGENCYEVACUATIONPLAN(PEEP).....................................2 4.TECHNIQUESFORTHEEVACUATIONOFDISABLEDPEOPLE .......................3 5.REFUGES ..............................................................................................................3 6.WHEELCHAIRLIFTS.............................................................................................4 7.EVACUATIONPROCEDUREFORADISABLEDPERSON..................................4 8.CONSTRUCTINGAPEEP.....................................................................................5 9.CONCLUSIONS .....................................................................................................6 APPENDIX1 EMERGENCYEVACUATIONQUESTIONNAIREFORADISABLEDPERSON .......8 APPENDIX2 PERSONALEMERGENCYEVACUATIONPLAN....................................................12 APPENDIX3 PEEPLADDERDIAGRAM..14

1. INTRODUCTION
Theintroductionof TheRegulatoryReform(FireSafety)Order2005requires that employers or organisations providing services to the public, take responsibility for all people, including disabled people evacuating buildings safely. Whenanemployeroraserviceproviderdoesnotmakeprovisionsforthesafe evacuation of disabled people from its premises, this may be viewed as discrimination. It is a general requirement that emergency procedures are preplanned and thatplanningshouldhaveregardtotheneedsofalloccupants.Itistherefore essential to identify the needs of disabled people and, where necessary, to makeproperarrangementsfortheirassistanceintheeventofanemergency evacuation. This guidance note will not determine whichprocedure should be adoptedin anyparticularcircumstances.Theprocedurewillvaryastotheneedsofthe disabledperson,theirrelationshiptothebuildingtheyoccupyanditsstructural characteristics. The University encourages disabled staff and students to make themselves known.Thisistoenabletheirsafetyduringanemergencyprocedureisgiven the highest priority. This declaration shouldbe encouraged atregistration for students and final interview stage for staff. This is especially important in situationswherethereissleepinginarrangementse.g.hallsofresidence.

2.PLANNINGANEVACUATIONPROCEDURE
The following issues need to be considered when planning an evacuation procedurefordisabledpeople: Identify the number of disabled staff and students and where they will beinthebuilding ImplementPersonalEmergencyEvacuationPlans(see3) Consultwithrelevantstaffandstudents The evacuation plan should not rely upon the intervention of the Fire andRescueServicestomakeitwork. Considerthecharacteristicsofthebuilding Assesstheevacuationequipmentdisabledpeoplewillneed Trainyourstafftodealwithemergencyevacuations Determinewhatneedstohappenwhenthealarmgoesoff Identify what needs to be done when it is not possible to evacuate disabledpeople Use enclosed ladder diagram to help construct a PEEP ( see appendices)

3.PERSONALEMERGENCYEVACUATIONPLAN(PEEP)
ThepurposeofaPEEPisfirstlytosecurethesafetyofthenamedindividualin theeventofabuildingevacuation.ThePEEPwillalsorecordthesafetyplan e.g. routes, corridors, stairs or refuges etc, identify those persons who will assistcarryingouttheevacuationandtrainingorpracticeneeds. Where identified within the PEEP that assistance is required to carry out the evacuation,faculties,schoolsordepartmentsmustbeassuredthatthepeople identifiedwithintheplanareinplace. Considerations should be given to timetabling and room location of the disabled person. Room location as near to the ground floor as possible for quickevacuationshouldbeconsidered. Faculties, Schools or Departments must construct a PEEP when aware that staff,studentsorvisitorsmayexperiencedifficultiesinrespondingtoabuilding emergencyevacuationalarm. TheconstructionofthePEEPcanbeundertakenwiththeactiveparticipation of the following, Line Managers, Supervisors, Departmental Safety Co ordinators, Student and Learning Support. The Health and Safety Unit can alsosupplyadviceandsupport. Theplanmustbeatailormadetomeettherequirementsoftheindividualand where applicable the person/s that may be required to assist with the evacuationofthedisabledperson. The PEEP is a personal plan and so must be drawn up in consultation and withtheactiveparticipationofthepersonconcerned. If identified within the PEEP that specialist training (evacuation chair, emergency exit routes etc) is required to ensure the PEEP is undertaken safely, it will be the responsibility of the faculty, school or department to ensurethatthistraininghasbeenundertaken.TheHealthandSafetyUnitcan assistinprovidingrelevanttrainingandinformation. All staff and students who could be expected to aid the evacuation of a disabledpersonshouldreceiveacopyoftherelevantPEEP. If the named person in the plan is a resident in a university hall a separate planmustbeproducedtocovertheevacuationprocedurefromthehalls.This mustbeundertakenwithguidanceandassistancefrommanagementandstaff withinthehalls.Oncecompletedacopyoftheplanmustbeforwardedtothe hallsmanager. Apracticeevacuationdrillshouldbecarriedoutatleastonceayeartomonitor theeffectivenessofanyactivePEEP. APEEPshouldbeactivatedimmediatelythealarmisraised.

The PEEP should address work out of normal hours or areas where close supervision is not available. A person with a mobility impairment working unaccompaniedmaymeanthattheycannotevacuate(e.g.onanyfloorother than the ground floor). They should report their location to the building reception(orsitereception/securityatMMUCheshire)beforestartingwork.If accompaniedbyafriendorcolleague,thatpersoncanreporttheirlocationto thereceptionuponevacuation(SeeAppendicesforfurtherinformation).

4.TECHNIQUESFORTHEEVACUATIONOFDISABLEDPEOPLE
Staff and students with a visualimpairment may be guided onlevel surfaces by offering an arm. On stairways the guide should descend first and the person following can then place their hand on the guides shoulder. If a member of staff or student is a guide dog user they should be asked about how/iftheycanbeassisted.Manydisabledpeoplewillbeabletodescend(or ascend) a stairway, however others may need assistance. There is equipmentavailableforsafelytransportingpeoplewithmobilityimpairmentsin stairways. This type of equipment should be given serious consideration especiallyinhighrisebuildings. Liftsarenormallyprohibitedfromuseduringanemergencyevacuation. There aretypesofliftsknownasevacuationorfirefightinglifts,whichmaybeused fortheevacuationofdisabledpeople.Theseliftsmustonlybeoperatedunder the direction and control of a member of staff using an agreed evacuation procedure. PropertyManagementPerformanceTeamwillprovideinformation on the type of lifts installedin each buildingand whether or not they fallinto thecategoryofanevacuationorfirefightinglift. If itis safe to do so wheelchairs, guide dogs and other equipment must be evacuatedaswellasthedisabledperson.

5.REFUGES
PeopleshouldneverbeleftinarefugepointtowaitfortheFireandRescue Services.Therefugecanbeusedasasaferestingplaceorasaplacetowait untilitissafetoexitthebuilding. Where disabled staff and students are unable to use stairways without assistanceitwillbenecessarytoidentifyrefugeareas.Refugesareasprovide a place of relative safety for disabled staff and students before being assistedtoafinalexit.Withgoodcommunicationlinkstotherefugeareait maynotbenecessarytoevacuatefromtherefugeifthefiredoesnotposea riskorthealarmhasbeenactivatedaccidentally. Refugeareascanbeanenclosuresuchasacompartment,lobby,corridoror stairwaythatcanprovideprotectionfrom fireandsmoke.

Oncearefugeareahasbeenidentifieditshouldbesuitablysignedandkept free from obstructions. It is essential that the location of a refuge does not haveanyadverseeffectonthemeansofescape. Thedisabledpersonsfriend,colleague,assistantorthemostseniormember of staff present (identified in the PEEP) should report the location of the disabled person that is unable to be evacuated from the building to the responsiblepersoninchargeoftheevacuation.Ifrequiredthefireandrescue servicescanbeinformedofthelocationwhentheyarrive. It is essential that all refuge areas have effective communication links to a fixedormobilestaffedareatoenablecommunicationwithanyperson/susing therefugeinanemergency. Fire alarms sounding adjacent to refuge areas can restrict communications duetothehighsoundlevelomitted.Theseshouldberesitedorturneddown Property Management Performance Team can arrange this modification on yourbehalf. Property Management Performance Team or the Health & Safety Unit can assistintheidentificationofarefugearea.

6.WHEELCHAIRLIFTS
Wheelchairliftsmustnotbeusedasameansofescape.Wheelchairliftsthat areprovidedforaccessshouldnotobstructmeansofescape.

7.EVACUATIONPROCEDUREFORADISABLEDPERSON
1 On activation of the emergency alarmstop and collect belongings that may berequiredintheevacuation. 2 As detailedin your PEEP remain at your work station,place of studyif you requireassistance. 3 Once your assistance arrives (orif you dont require assistance) make your waytoadesignatedrefugepoint. 4 Remainatyourrefugepointwithyourassistantuntilitissafetoevacuate. (wherepossibleusethecommunicationattherefugepointtoascertainifan evacuationisrequiredoritsafalsealarm). Yourrefugepointwillofferaminimumof30minutesprotectionagainstthe spreadoffireandsmoke. 5 Once the area is clear if required with the support of your assistant make yourwaytothefinalexitofthebuilding. 6 Onceoutsidethebuildingyouoryourassistantmustreportyourpresenceto thepersoninchargeoftheevacuation.

7 Remainoutsidethebuildinguntiltoldtoreturnbythepersoninchargeofthe evacuation.

8.CONSTRUCTINGAPEEP
The aim of the PEEP is to provide affected persons, with the necessary information to be able to manage their escape. The plan also provides the University with information to ensure that the correct level of assistance is available. Ifassistancewithescapeisrequired,theextentofsuchassistanceshouldbe identifiedinthePEEPi.e.thenumberofassistantsandthemethodtobeused GiventheuniquecharacteristicsofbuildingsandtheneedforaPEEPtotake accountofthebuildingcapabilitiesdisabledpeoplewhoregularlyusedifferent buildingsmayhavetohaveaseparatePEEPforeachbuilding. Itshouldbenotedthatindividualsmaydevelopatemporarymobilitydifficulty followinganaccidentorsurgicalintervention,whichmightaffecttheirabilityto evacuatefromtheirnormalplaceofwork. It is essential thatthe person who may require assistanceis fullyinvolvedin producing the PEEP. The process can be based on a checklist to aid its development. This should include items relating to the individual's abilities, location, activities (e.g. does he or she move around the campus), etc. The followingshouldalwaysbeincludedintheplan: identificationofandinformationonthebestmethodofevacuation includingtheavailabilityofanyhorizontalevacuationroutes. requirements for specialist equipment (such as an evacuation chair) andanyrequirementfortrainingintheuseofthatequipment. identificationofwheelchairaccessiblefireexits. locationsofwheelchairrefugesandmeansofcommunication(ifitisnot possibletoevacuatetheindividualimmediately). information about whether the wheelchair user can reach the refuge unaided(ifnot,abuddysystemmightbeused). characteristicsofthebuildingthatmightaffecttheevacuation. detailsofcolleaguesvolunteeringforthebuddysystem. trainingrequirements. informationonthemaintenanceandinspectionofequipment. whenthePEEPshouldbereviewed.

Tobeeffective,thePEEPdependsontheabilityofhelperstorespondquickly and effectively. Helpers should be given sufficient instruction, practical demonstration and training as appropriate. The plan should be tested when completed and used during regular fire drills to ensure that the disabled person and helpers are fully aware of the procedures to be undertaken and haveconfidenceinthoseprocedures.

Specialarrangementsmayhavetobeincludedintheplanwhereitmaybe requiredtoevacuateawheelchairuserusinganalternativemethodother thannormalprocedures.

Thisproceduremustbewrittenintotheplanwithnamedpeoplethathavebeen trainedtooperatethespecialistequipment. From the information gathered in the questionnaire below, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) should be developed by, either Departmental Health and Safety Coordinator, line manager, students supervisor or Student and Academic Services. Advice and support on writingthePEEPisavailablefromtheHealthandSafetyUnit.

9.CONCLUSIONS
Thesafeevacuationofdisabledstaffandstudentsistheresponsibilityofthe University.Safeevacuationproceduresmustbepreplannedandidentifythe needs of disabled persons and make proper arrangements for their assistance. A PEEP must be produced with the active participation of the affectedperson. Writteninstructionsandwherenecessarytraining,areessentialinensuringa PEEPisfollowedandthatallmembersofstaffandstudentsareawareofits existence. It may be necessary to phase vertical movement of disabled persons using refuge areas and use properly designed evacuation equipment, especially in highrisebuildings. There are minor modifications that can aid evacuation e.g. ramps, colour contrastedstairnosingsandhandrails(forblindandpartiallysightedpeople), visual or vibration alarms (for deaf and hard of hearing people). Any modification to buildings must be discussed with the Head of Property ManagementPerformanceTeam. Under current fire safety legislation it is the responsibility of the person(s) having responsibility for the building to provide a fire safety risk assessment that includes an emergency evacuation plan for all people likely to be in the premisesandthismustincludedisabledpeople. Such anevacuation plan should not rely upon the interventionof the Fire andRescueServices. Whereanemployerorserviceproviderdoesnotmakeprovisionsforthesafe evacuation of disabled people from its premises, this may be viewed as discriminationunderTheDisabilityDiscriminationAct1995(DDA).Itmayalso constituteafailuretocomplywiththerequirementsoftheRegulatoryReform (Firesafety)Order2005.

Particular attention needs to be paid to the safety of disabled staff, students andvisitorsinemergencysituationsespeciallythosewith mobilityorsensory impairment. To ensure that all disabled staff, students and visitors are afforded the required help during an emergency evacuation a personal emergency evacuationplan(PEEP)shouldbeconstructedwiththeactiveparticipationof theaffectedperson. ToensurethatallPEEPsareinplacefaculties,departmentsandschoolsmust produce a (PEEP) when they are aware that a member of staff, student or visitor may experience difficulties in responding to a building emergency evacuationalarm. Once developed the plan will describe the intended means of escape in the event of an emergency (including fire drills) and should contain all the necessaryinformationtoensurethatthedisabledpersonisabletoevacuate thepremises.

Copies of this document are available on the Health & Safety Units web site (www.mmu.ac.uk/humanresources/health) by email attachment and disc. Contact safety@mmu.ac.ukof01612473317

Appendix1
EMERGENCYEVACUATIONQUESTIONNAIREFORADISABLEDPERSON This questionnaire is intended to be completed by disabled persons to assist the developmentofaPersonalEmergencyEvacuationPlan(PEEP).Pleaseprovideas muchinformationtoenabletheUniversitytodevelopasuitableplan. OncedevelopedthePlanwillbethemeansofescapeprocedureintheeventofan emergency (including drills). If the practice drills identifies concerns in the implementation of the evacuation, then a review should be undertaken of the effectivenessoftheplan 1. Whyyoushouldfillintheform? The University has a legal responsibility to protect you from fire risks and protectyourhealthandsafetyatwork.ThePEEPwillbedevelopedbasedon theinformationyouprovide. Whatwillhappenwhenyouhavecompletedtheform? You will be provided with any additional information necessary about the emergencyegressproceduresinthebuilding(s)youattend. Ifyouneedassistance,thePersonalEmergencyEvacuationPlanwillspecify whattypeofassistanceyouneed. Name JobTitle/Course

2.

Department/School/Unit/Area BriefDescriptionofDuties/Studies

LOCATION 1. Whereareyoubasedformostofthetime? Pleasename:thebuilding,thefloorandtheroomnumber. Building Floor RoomNumber

2.

Doyouroutinelyusemorethanonelocationinthisbuilding? YES NO

Ifyoufeelitisnecessarypleaseprovidefurtherdetailsbelow.(Pleaselistthe buildingsandfloorsyouusedineachbuilding)

AWARENESSOFEMERGENCYEVACUATIONPROCEDURES 3. Areyouawareoftheemergencyevacuationprocedureswhichoperateinthe building(s)youattend? YES 4. NO

Doyourequirewrittenemergencyevacuationprocedures? YES NO

4aDoyourequirewrittenemergencyproceduresinanalternativeformat? Braille? BSL Tape Electronicformat Other YES YES YES YES YES NO NO NO NO NO

5.

Arethesignswhichmarkemergencyroutesandexitsclearandunobstructed? YES NO

EMERGENCYALARM 6. Canyouhearthefirealarm(s)inyourplace(s)studyorwork? YES DONTKNOW 7. Couldyouraisethealarmifyoudiscoveredafire? YES DONTKNOW NO NO

ASSISTANCE 8. Do you need assistance to get out of your place of study/work in an emergency? YES DONTKNOW IfNOpleasegotoQuestion12 NO

9.

Isanyonedesignatedtoassistyoutogetoutinanemergency? YES DONTKNOW IfNOpleasegotoQuestion11, IfYES givename(s)andlocation(s) NO

10.

Isthearrangementwithyourassistant(s)aformalarrangement? (A formal arrangement is an arrangement specified for them by the Head of Departmentorwrittenintotheirjobdescriptionorbysomeotherprocedure.) YES DONTKNOW NO

10a

Areyoualwaysineasycontactwiththosedesignatedtohelpyou? YES DONTKNOW NO

11.

Inanemergency,couldyoucontacttheperson(s)inchargeofevacuatingthe building(s)inwhichyouworkandtellthemwhereyouwerelocated? YES DONTKNOW NO

GETTINGOUT 12. Canyoumovequicklyintheeventofanemergency? YES DONTKNOW NO

13.

Doyoufindstairsdifficulttouse? YES DONTKNOW NO

14.

Areyouawheelchairuser? YES NO

Thankyouforcompletingthisquestionnaire. Theinformationyouhavegivenuswillhelpustomeetanyneedsforinformationor assistanceyoumayhave. Pleasereturnthecompletedformto: HeadofDepartmentorDepartmentalHealthandSafetyCoordinator. ThepeoplethatareconstructingyourPEEP

Appendix2 TobecompletedbyHeadofDepartmentorDepartmentalSafetyCoordinator. PERSONALEMERGENCYEVACUATIONPLAN Name Department Building Floor RoomNumber AWARENESSOFPROCEDURE Thedisabledpersonisinformedofafireevacuationby: existingalarmsystem pagerdevice visualalarmsystem Other(pleasespecify)

DESIGNATEDASSISTANCE: (Thefollowingpeoplehavebeendesignatedtogivemeassistancetogetoutofthe buildinginanemergency).

Name Contactdetails

Name Contactdetails

Name Contactdetails

METHODSOFASSISTANCE: (eg:Transferprocedures,methodsofguidance,etc.)

EQUIPMENTPROVIDED(includingmeansofcommunication):

EVACUATIONPROCEDURE: (Astepbystepaccountbeginningfromthefirstalarm)

SAFEROUTE(S):

The PEEP should be reviewed whenever there is a change in circumstances or otherwise,itshouldbereviewedannually.

Appendix3
StudentRegistration StaffEmployed

DisabilityDisclosed

Disabilitycoordinator notified

PEEPquestionnaire completedwithdisabled person

Relevantpeopleidentified fromthe questionnairethat willhelpinthePEEP

Relevantpeopletrainedin requiredskillsforevac

PEEPdrawnupand checkedwithnamedperson

CompletedPEEPcirculated toallconcerned

Trialevacuationundertaken asdocumentedinthePEEP

Reviewofthetrialand recommendations implementedifrequired

PEEPfiledwithrelevant peopleanddepartments