Accessible egress
Listen to the audio version by clicking the play button above.
You might assume that if a building has an accessible entrance, it has everything that disabled people need to get in and out easily.
Well, not so in the case of emergency egress. When people need to exit a building quickly, it’s often through a doorway other than the entrance. And when emergency exits are separate from the accessible entrance, they are usually unsuitable for someone using a wheelchair because the thresholds are not level, the doors are not wide enough for a wheelchair to fit through, or there are steps outside.
Is it a good idea to limit the escape options of anyone who can only use an accessible doorway? In many cases, there is no reason for a building’s emergency exits to be unusable by people with physical disabilities. Usually, they aren’t accessible simply because they don’t have to be.
Do you ever wonder what happens to the people on the upper stories of a building who cannot use the stairs when the fire alarm goes off? For the most part, lifts shut down in the event of an emergency, leaving the stairs as a disabled person’s only option. And if they cannot use the stairs, does this mean they are stuck inside when they should be getting out of the building as quickly and safely as possible?
Fortunately, there are several options that can be implemented for non-stair users who need to escape a building. I asked Phil Jackson of Evacuation Now to tell me about the most common solutions available in New Zealand.
Here is his overview:
Evacuation lifts: These are just like normal passenger lifts but are designed so that people can use them during a fire event.
Evacuation chairs: A popular option for multi-storey buildings, these specially-built chairs enable an operator to move a person safely down the stairs. They are not suitable for all people in all situations, and training is recommended for anyone who might need to use one.
Persons caring for each other / themselves: There are several techniques that some people with mobility impairments, depending on their situation, can learn in order to go down the stairs independently. Where someone chooses to manoeuvre themselves down the stairs, another person can assist them by bringing their wheelchair down separately, if possible. It is also possible, with assistance, to move a person down the stairs in a manual wheelchair.
Make sure the buildings you are involved with have an evacuation plan that considers everyone, including those with disabilities. The options above are not the only ones available. If in doubt, seek the expertise of an evacuation consultant.
It might just be a life saver.
