Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
Figure 10.28 Wheelchair user in refuge
➤ Are areas of and locations that are safe from immediate
danger established?
➤ Are arrangements for people with disabilities
included in the written evacuation procedures? Are
arrangements periodically reviewed?
➤ Are employees encouraged to make a list of medications,
allergies, special equipment, names, addresses
and telephone numbers of doctors, pharmacies, family
members and friends, and any other important
information?
In order to ensure that the emergency evacuation plans
for disabled people are effective at the time they are
required it will be necessary to provide training for any
staff who act as evacuation assistants. Training should
include such topics as: evacuation techniques to use,
particularly how to carry or assist individuals who use
mobility aids; the use of any special evacuation equipment
and training in basic sign language to effectively
communicate with individuals who are deaf; and the
instructions for individuals who use assistance animals.
When developing emergency plans for disabled
people it will be useful to obtain advice from the local
fi re service periodically about such issues as whether
people with disabilities should remain in their workplaces,
assemble in an area of refuge to await the arrival of
rescue workers or immediately evacuate.
260
Figure 10.29 Escape routes in a typical sports stadium
Devising emergency arrangements for disabled
people is best achieved by consulting with those who
know best about the specifi c issues relating to the
physical or mental impairment. Information can be
sought from specialist disability organisations; however,
when possible and particularly for members of staff, it is
considered reasonable to devise a ‘personal emergency
evacuation plan’ (PEEP).
PEEPs are written by the employer in conjunction
with the individuals concerned and explain, on a case
by case basis, the means of escape arrangements for
each individual in case of fi re. A PEEP is a very useful
tool for identifying exactly what arrangements may be
necessary in each individual’s case. A common way of
gaining information to develop a PEEP for staff is to use
a questionnaire. An example is shown in Appendix 10.1.
10.4.1 Evacuating members of the public
The degree to which arrangements need to be made to
ensure the safe evacuation of members of the public from
a building depends upon the level of risk. In some cases
it will be considered to be reasonable to simply display
some fi re notices within some premises where there
is limited public access. At the other end of the scale,
for large premises or when large numbers of people
are present, additional arrangements, such as public
address systems and fi re marshals, may be needed.
The numbers, location, physical and emotional state
of members of the public must be considered when
devising a system for their safe evacuation. Methods that
can be considered to safely evacuate crowds of people
whether in a building or external venue include:
➤ Limiting the numbers of people allowed in a particular
building or venue