Safe Evacuation of People with Disabilities User and Designer Perspectives Shane Hogan – September 2015

The National Disability Authority is the independent state body providing expert advice on disability policy and practice to the Minister, and promoting Universal Design in Ireland.

Agenda Legislation Impacts of disability, age, size User perspectives Design principles Equipment Evacuation chairs

Context

Legislation Fire Services Act (1981) Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 Equal Status Acts 2000-2011 Building Control Act (1990) , Building Regulations Disability Act 2005 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act No exclusions for people with disabilities Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 “employer shall ensure that places of work, where necessary, are organised to take account of persons at work with disabilities, in particular as regards doors, passageways, staircases…” Fire Services Act (1981) “to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable the safety of persons on the premises in the event of an outbreak of fire” Equal Status Acts 2000-2011 Building Control Act (1990) and Building Regulations Part B, Part M Disability Act 2005 Makes Part M 2000 apply retrospectively by 2015, and Part M 2012 by 2022

User Perspectives 1 Don’t worry about the fire drill, we’ll never make the 2 minute target if you take part safety officer to employee who uses crutches

Recognising the emergency Hearing loss Might not hear alarm bell, siren, fire or explosion Sight loss Unable to see alarm strobe, fire, smoke or others evacuating Age Sleeping children less likely to wake

Responding to emergency Hearing loss Might not be able to use sign language or lip read in poor lighting Age, sight loss, physical disability May take longer to get dressed ‘Break glass’ call point difficult to use Intellectual disability, mental health May be confused, stressed

Moving to a safe place Mobility disability May be slow, unsteady, affected by crowds or fire doors Maybe unable to move down or up levels if lifts have been recalled Heart conditions, asthma, pregnancy May have difficulties moving up or down levels in tall buildings

How NOT to evacuate Video Clip The Office, BBC, Series 2, Episode 2

User Perspectives - 2 I’m on minimum wage, there is no way I’m going to stay here while you all run out personal assistant of employee with disabilities at refuge area

General design principles Universal Design approach – to be used by everybody, regardless of age, size, ability or disability Independent, equitable and dignified evacuation for all Lifetime cost effectiveness Up-front investment can save operating costs Phased evacuation (healthcare)

Procedures Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan PEEP General Emergency Evacuation Plan GEEP Discriminatory?

Equipment and facilities Vibrating alerts Good management systems essential Consider smart-phone options Handrails Provide support and navigation ‘Break glass’ call points Locate away from corners at proper height Consider power required to break

Lighting Position visual strobe alarms carefully 2-4 Hz flash frequency LED signs can improve legibility and conspicuity in smoke Photo-luminescent signs at floor level can be helpful in smoke Don’t rely solely on colour to convey information

User Perspectives 3 If I have to leave my chair behind, it would be like losing my legs all over again University lecturer, powered wheelchair user, asked to transfer to evacuation chair, leaving own chair behind

Lifts Evacuation lifts Standard (non-evacuation) lift Provide independent and dignified evacuation Avoids fire wardens going back into building No refusals to use evacuation chair No wheelchair or other equipment left behind Standard (non-evacuation) lift May be least risky option – risk assessment with professional fire engineering advice

Evacuation chairs Manual – downstairs only Battery powered Up or down stairs May allow user to stay in own chair All require ongoing training and practice Consider dignity of user

User Perspectives 4 I hate those evac chairs. It feels like I’m being pushed off the edge of a cliff. But worse than that is having staff who report to me responsible for lifting me out of my wheelchair into the evac chair. You don’t really want to be explaining your colostomy bag to someone who reports to you. Wheelchair user, public sector manager

Chairs – assisted use

Chairs – independent use

Key Points Universal Design at all stages Don’t over-rely on manual evac chairs Speak to fire service about refuge areas Lifts may be least risky option “Safe Evacuation For All” www.nda.ie

www.nda.ie