Disability Discrimination act 2004

[Guest]

Is it true that this act will require certain premises to be fitted with tactile fire exit signs and means of marking exits for people with visual disabilities?

[wee brian]

No.

The DDA has already been in force for many premises for a few years, but the scope is widening.

As for tactile exit signs - Be serious. People feeling their way around burning buildings is not what its about!

Door closers - now that is a problem. The maximum opening force for doors is 20N.   I think the minimum recommended for FR doors is well over 30. This means lots more hold open devices.

[Ken Taylor]

There is some general guidance around (eg DfES) for tactile signs, information and lift controls, clearly identifiable doorways, etc. Beyond that, building management and employers should provide disabled persons with the imformation they need to escape in the event of fire or provide necessary assistance.

[Guest]

In relation to providing people with the information they need to escape in the event of fire, could tactile guidance systems be considered?

[wee brian]

Unless the buildings population of people with visual impairments is unusually high I wouldn't bother.

If they are used it would need to be a carefully designed system. The use of exit signs with Braille is, quite frankly, laughable.

[Jim Creak]

Conformance to the British Standard for Safety Signs BS5499 Pt 1,Pt 5 and specifically  Part 4 for Escape Route Signs will fully satisfy all current UK and EU Legislation. The whole purpose of the revision process in 2000 and 2002 was to establish technical credentials, comprehension and to present guidance to comply with Building Regulations safety, fire safety and specifically means of escape legislation requirements. All British Standards Committee are tasked very heavily to consider the needs of the Disabled when revising or developing standards.. In fact the reason so many signs require supplementary text is that the committee are concerned that comprehension of the signs could be difficult for both the young and aged and people with learning difficulties. As for Braille  only 10% of the registered Blind can read Braille thats if they can find the sign in the first place. Crazy!!!!

[Guest]

See the ‘Braille Escape Route Signs’ thread below, where this issue was thoroughly dissected.  

The DDA makes no specific requirements as regards means of escape or safety in case of fire. The general principle that if you ‘offer’ your premises as accessible to people you must be able to evacuate them in case of an emergency is enshrined in Building Reg’s & in general H&S legislation.  This is actually stronger than having specific requirements in the DDA – the Regulators tend to use HASAWA & the Management Regulations when things go wrong, & a breach is a serious offence.