Residents' Evacuation Capability in Buildings

establishment as a whole, was the most applicable method in blocks of service flats and
old people«s homes. In group-residential units every resident in the randomized units
were rated. The estimation was based on daily observation of the residents and made by
the staff members who know each resident best. The residents themselves were not
interviewed because of psychological problems. The method conforms with the rating
systems established for estimating peoples« ability to cope with different tasks of
everyday life (ADL-Index) and with the SFES for rating evacuation difficulties
mentioned above.
Results
The results of the rating, residents« evacuation capability, is presented in three ways;
- the percentage distribution of risk factors in service flats, homes for old people and
group-residential units,
- the percentage distribution of the need for assistance from staff during an evacuation
and the reason for necessary assistance,
- the average staff needed per resident in an emergency situation in each type of care
housing studied.
Risk factors
Mobility. The percentage of residents able to use stairs is as large in blocks of service
flats as in group-residential units, slightly less in old peoples« homes. In the latter
almost half the number of residents need two staff members to carry them downstairs.
%
50
Able to use stairs
40
Able to use stairs with
help from a staff member
30
20
10
Not able to use stairs
7
Service Old age Group
flats homes dwellings
Figure 1. Ability walking stairs. Percentage distribution in various types of care housing
Wheel chairs and walking aids, difficult to use in stairs, are most common in old
people«s homes. In service flats you most often manage the wheel chair yourself, in the
people«s home you need help to manage it. In group- residential units there are only a
Residents Evacuation Capability in Buildings…., Gun Hallberg, Domotic Lab. KTH, Stockholm 1993