Introduction to Fire Safety Management

equires that employers make what is termed as ‘reasonable
adjustments’ to their premises to ensure that
no employee is at any disadvantage. In addition, from
1 October 2004 the DDA placed duties on all those who
provide services to the public, e.g. any business premises
that customers may visit or any public service buildings
such as schools and libraries, to take reasonable steps to
change or alter their premises where access for disabled
people is either ‘unreasonably, diffi cult or impossible’.
The specifi c requirements for access and use of
buildings by disabled people is detailed in Part M of
Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2000.
Table 10.3 summarises the requirements of the
Building Regulations that ensure disabled people can
have reasonable access and use of buildings.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 requires
employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’
to their premises to ensure that no employee
is at a disadvantage. This includes ensuring
that disabled people can leave the premises
safely in the event of fi re.
It is important that the emergency plans for buildings
take account of disabled people to ensure that there
are reasonable arrangements not only for access and
use but also for egress in the case of an emergency.
Arrangements will need to be considered for persons
whose escape from fi re may be made more diffi cult on
the basis of the following:
➤ Aged
➤ Less able bodied
➤ Of impaired mobility
Safety of people in the event of a fi re
Table 10.3 Requirements of the Building Regulations that ensure disabled
people can have reasonable access and use of buildings
Part Requirement Limit of application
M1 Access and use of existing buildings Does not apply to:
Reasonable provision must be made for ● Domestic dwellings or
disabled people to access and use the ● Parts of buildings used only
building and its facilities for maintenance
M2 Access to extensions to buildings Does not apply where suitable
(other than dwellings) access to the extension is
Suitable independent access must be provided through the building
provided where reasonably practical that is extended
Figure 10.27 Typical impaired vision symbol
➤ Wheelchair users
➤ Impaired vision
➤ Impaired hearing
➤ Learning diffi culties or mental illness.
When undertaking an assessment of the needs of disabled
persons during an emergency evacuation it will be
helpful to consider the following questions:
➤ Is there a need to locate disabled workers to parts
of the building where they can leave the building
more easily?
➤ Is any special equipment needed, such as an evacuation
chair?
➤ Are storage areas provided with any necessary evacuation
equipment? Are they easy to access?
➤ In the event of emergencies, are specifi c members
of staff designated to alert and assist disabled persons
(evacuation assistants)?
➤ Are visual or vibrating alerting devices provided
to supplement audible alarms? Are visual alarms
installed in all areas, including toilet facilities?
➤ Do routes and procedures take account of the potentially
slower movement of people with disabilities?
➤ Are all disabled people familiar with escape routes
and provided with instructions and training in safety
procedures? Distribute emergency procedures in
Braille, large print, text fi le and cassette format
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