8.3 Use Of Lifts

There are a number of special lifts throughout The University specifically for use for wheelchair users. Although these give access to facilities on levels above ground level, it is important for users to realise that, as with normal lifts, these lifts must not be used during an emergency fire evacuation. In such circumstances the electrical power may fail and any user would be trapped in the lift shaft.

Action During An Emergency

In the event of fire alarms sounding, wheelchair users must make their way to a secure area on the upper level and wait for help from professional assistance. They must also make sure that an able-bodied colleague reports to the Fire Warden that there is a colleague in a wheelchair on an upper floor, so that this information can be passed to the Senior Fire Officer attending the incident. The Senior Fire Officer will then arrange for his personnel to locate the wheelchair user and escort them to safety.

What Is A Secure Area?

An area safe from the threat of fire. This is any area where there is least one 30 minute fire door between the actual fire and any personnel. In some buildings there are "Refuge Points" designated and signed - NP Library Computer suite and Twiverton - where Refuge Points are located at the top of the main stairs. These are permanently protected escape routes which are designed so that fire cannot break out. Other secure areas cannot be assigned in this way because it will depend where the fire has broken out. In this situation a secure area is one where the wheelchair user has at least one, and preferably two, 30-minute fire doors between them and the fire.

Information Required By The Fire Service

A colleague of the wheelchair user must inform the Fire Warden in charge of the Assembly Point of the following:

They should try to ensure this is noted down in writing.

This information must be passed to the Senior Fire Officer immediately when the Fire Service arrives.

July 2006