PEEPing??

[riless180]

Hi guys, we've had DDA assessments on our general needs high rise blocks with the key findings referring to the need for individual PEEPS for all tenants keeping them updated etc as the stairwells are not large enough to be used as a refuge during evacuation. The blocks used to be deemed as sheltered but are now general needs.

We do not have staff on site to implement evacuation and it is also stay put policy.

Is anyone aware of housing providers that carry out PEEPS in similar general needs housing??
 

[AnthonyB]

Are these purpose built flat blocks let to general members of the public?

If so then it's a case of 'stay put' and over to the fire brigade to manage evacuation, I don't know where the DDA people are getting their ideas from?

If for some reason they have single stage evac and a full fire alarm through all the flats and common areas then you may have issues, but I wouldn't have thought that would be the case.

[The Colonel]

I think your DDA assessors have lost the plot, how the heck can you prepare individual PEEPs for what could be 1000s of people, where there are specific needs possibly but the name gives a clue "general needs". I have just undertaken FRAs on common areas of over 40 3 storey blocks of flats, the housing officers have enough problems  with one tenant let along getting info on 1000s that may be in their blocks.

I think your DDA assessors have ever so slightly gone over the top!!

[Tom W]

Have you paid for someone to do a DDA assessment?

I hope they haven't quoted the DDA at you!

You should be auditing for the Equality Act now not the DDA.

[Phoenix]

As it's stay-put, the assumption is that only one flat is evacuating at a time.  The front doors have to be fire doors so once the evacuating people are in the staircase they have bought themselves at least 30 minutes.  How, though, do they continue their evacuation down to the ground floor without a lift?  It's a valid point.

It may be worth considering the contents of the CLG document, "Guidance on the emergency use of lifts or escalators for
evacuation and fire and rescue service operations, BD 2466."  This might demonstrate that it will still be possible to use lifts during a flat fire - but this may depend on the configuration of the electrical supplies.  Worth investigating.

Regarding the following comment,

..... over to the fire brigade to manage evacuation....... 

I'd be very careful over what you assume the fire and rescue service have the resources to do.  Assuming that they will be able to manage an evacuation is probably a step too far and you should liaise directly with them before making any such assumptions.  I know what you mean though, Anthony; any such evacuation, in a stay-put premises, would only be the result of some drastic shortfalls in the fire safety arrangements (e.g. lack of assumed compartmentation).

Stu

[AnthonyB]

Regarding the following comment,

..... over to the fire brigade to manage evacuation....... 

I'd be very careful over what you assume the fire and rescue service have the resources to do.  Assuming that they will be able to manage an evacuation is probably a step too far and you should liaise directly with them before making any such assumptions.  I know what you mean though, Anthony; any such evacuation, in a stay-put premises, would only be the result of some drastic shortfalls in the fire safety arrangements (e.g. lack of assumed compartmentation).

Stu

I agree not to rely on the FRS & this is why in most premises the adage of 'bung them in a refuge & let the brigade sort it' is long gone.

But in structurally compliant flats FRS involvement is what the Building Regulations & existing build guidance focusses on with stay-put, albeit assisted with stuff like smoke control, lifts, rising mains (dependant on the premises)

[riless180]

 

Thanks to all for comments.

[colin todd]

Sadly, there are fire officers chuntering on about having PEEPs for general needs blocks, as well as DDA risk assessors, but the field marshall is right--no wonder we won the war.  I tend to put it down to madness associated with enforcement of legislation.