8.1 Fire And The Disabled

As a responsible institution, The University is aware of facilities which do - and indeed do not - exist for disabled staff and students. Whilst progress is continuing to be made to improve provision, problems can be encountered particularly for people with mobility problems. When we speak of mobility problems we are referring primarily to people who use a wheelchair. However, it should not be forgotten that we are also talking about people with a temporary condition, such as a broken leg.

When faced with dealing with the above scenario, responsibility to "manage" the situation has to be with the person "under whose supervision the mobility impaired person is at the time".

In the case of a student attending a lecture, responsibility has to be with the individual tutor taking the session.

For an office situation, all staff should be familiar with evacuation procedures and managers must ensure these procedures are practiced at least twice per year.

Responsibility for safety lies with everybody, all staff should therefore be clear about the evacuation procedure from their area, including what action should be taken to ensure that the safety of people with disabilities are not disadvantaged in any way.

Tutors Responsibility For Students

Tutors are responsible for the safety of students whilst they are attending their lectures or tutorials. Students should be made aware of emergency procedures before every session, particularly if it is a new location. In addition, tutors must make sure there is provision for students with mobility problems. This may be a temporary condition such as a student who arrives with a broken leg. In such cases the tutor should work out before the lecture begins, what course of action will be taken and "who does what", in the event of the need to evacuate the building. The situation may even necessitate re-scheduling the class to a more suitably accessible teaching area.

Tutors must ensure that any person with a disability:

1. Knows what action to take should the fire alarm sound eg. Not to use the lift, etc;
2. Has a colleague who can assist them during an emergency;
3. Has a personal evacuation plan and knows where "Refuge areas" are in the building. These will depend on the location of the fire, but are areas which have at least one Fire Door between the person and the actual fire. There are several marked "Refuge areas" on site.
4. Has a colleague who will inform the Fire Warden at the Assembly Point that there is:
   • A person inside the building;
   • Their situation and;
   • Their precise location.
5. On arrival of the Fire Brigade, the BSU Fire Warden must immediately liaise with the Senior Fire Officer and inform him that there is a person still in the building and provide him with the precise information in 4 above.

Use Of Lifts During A Fire Evacuation

Under No circumstances should lifts be used during a Fire Emergency for fear that the lift stops and the occupants are unable to escape. Lift shafts act as funnels for smoke, which will cause asphyxiation and subsequent death.

What To Do If A Person With Mobility Problems Is On An Upper Floor?

The simple answer is that since they cannot use the lift or stairs as a wheelchair user, they must therefore position themselves so that a Fire Door is between themselves and the Fire. This will provide protection for at least 30 minutes. It is also imperative that somebody - a colleague or friend - informs the Fire Warden at the Assembly Point that:

• There is somebody still in the building;
• Exactly where they are and what is their situation.

As soon as the Fire Brigade arrive, the Fire Warden must immediately pass on the above information to the Senior Fire Officer, who will direct his officers to evacuate any person trapped inside the building.

The danger of Fire is taken very seriously at Bath Spa University, particularly for those with mobility problems. Useful guidance can be drawn from data produced by BRE* which suggests that a mobility impaired person, whether in a wheelchair or not, should:

• Be allowed twice the time to evacuate premises, than would be considered sufficient for able-bodied personnel;
• Doorways, corridors and stairs should be checked to ensure that they are wide enough and clear of obstructions, particularly if wheelchair use is required;
• Two suitable volunteers from the group, should be assigned to assist any disabled person during an emergency.

One Fire Brigade analysed fatality figures over a four year period and found that 33% of all fatalities from fire during the study period, where disabled in some way. My sincere appeal to staff therefore, but particularly to teaching staff, is to be alert to the above scenario in order to ensure that a disaster is not allowed to happen at BSU.

It is up to everybody to face up to the realities of emergency situations.

• The Fire Research Station at the Building Research Establishment, Garston, Watford.

January 2006