FIR/Specific/TBT-FIR-017

Means of Escape for Disabled Persons

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Fire evacuation plans must include specific provisions for people with mobility, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to plan for all building occupants.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are required for individuals who cannot self-evacuate.
Refuge areas are designated safe spaces within stairwells where disabled persons can wait for assisted evacuation.
Evacuation chairs and carry devices must be available, maintained, and staff trained to use them safely.
Visual fire alarms (flashing beacons) are needed for people with hearing impairments in all occupied areas.
Construction sites in occupied buildings must maintain accessible escape routes throughout the works.
Temporary works can block corridors, disable lifts, and remove handrails — all impacting disabled evacuation.
BS 9999 provides guidance on means of escape design including provisions for disabled people.
Regular fire drills must include rehearsal of assisted evacuation for persons with PEEPs.

Save lives	Disabled persons cannot always self-evacuate — without a plan, they may be trapped in a fire.
Legal duty	The Fire Safety Order 2005 and Equality Act 2010 require evacuation provisions for all building users.
Construction impact	Building works often reduce or remove accessible escape routes, creating immediate risk to disabled occupants.

Don't

Prepare a PEEP for every individual who may need assistance evacuating the building
Identify and maintain designated refuge areas within protected stairwells on every floor
Ensure evacuation chairs are available, inspected, and positioned at refuge area locations
Train designated staff to operate evacuation chairs and carry devices safely
Install visual fire alarm beacons in areas occupied by people with hearing impairments
Review and update PEEPs whenever building layout changes due to construction works
Maintain accessible escape routes throughout all phases of refurbishment or fit-out work
Brief fire wardens on the location and needs of all persons with PEEPs each shift
Include assisted evacuation rehearsal in every scheduled fire drill exercise
Coordinate with the building occupier before altering any corridor, lift, or stairway

DON'T assume all occupants can self-evacuate via stairs during a fire emergency
DON'T block refuge areas with construction materials, tools, or temporary hoardings
DON'T remove or disable visual fire alarm beacons without providing an alternative
DON'T leave evacuation chairs unmaintained or stored in inaccessible locked cupboards
DON'T carry out works that block accessible escape routes without a temporary alternative
DON'T rely on lifts for evacuation unless they are designated fire evacuation lifts
DON'T forget to update PEEPs when an individual's mobility or needs change
DON'T exclude disabled persons from fire drill exercises — their plan must be practised
DON'T remove handrails or tactile guidance from escape routes during building works
DON'T delegate assisted evacuation to untrained personnel — proper training is essential

See also: Fire Safety Awareness on Site | Fire Evacuation Procedures

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