Disabled Refuge Procedures

[jakespop]

Has anyone any advice or thoughts on "Disabled Refuge Policy". General guidance is that persons using these should not be left alone and that there should be procedures for evacuating without reliance on Fire Brigade. I have a modern building which has refuges and communication but no additional devices such as Evacuation Chairs. I find it difficult to see how there can be any procedure which doesnt involve such devices, or reliance on Fire Brigade.

[nearlythere]

Has anyone any advice or thoughts on "Disabled Refuge Policy". General guidance is that persons using these should not be left alone and that there should be procedures for evacuating without reliance on Fire Brigade. I have a modern building which has refuges and communication but no additional devices such as Evacuation Chairs. I find it difficult to see how there can be any procedure which doesnt involve such devices, or reliance on Fire Brigade.

That is something that has to be resolved by the dutyholder Jakespop.
There is never any guarantee that the FRS will be in attendance as is usually expected. The evacuation of persons to a place of safety is not the responsibily of the F&RS.
Evacuation chairs can be a difficult control measure due to training issues. logistics and maintenance. There are alternative solution to evacuate person with limited mobility without expensive evacuation chairs.
PM me.

[rn976]

Jackspop

Sorry but you cannot place reliance on the fire service, As the responsible person you must plan to get all relervant persons to a place of total safety i.e. out of the building, if this means the use of evac chairs then they need to be provided and the persons who will use them will need to be trained ( dont forget new bit to the RRO states these people need to be suitable to carry out this role),   the people who will be expected to evacuated will need to be informed even trained under the RA pocess as well ,

 
You will need to prepare PEEP for the disabled staff this should guide you to the best method of evac for the disability of that person.  
good  guidance can be found at
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/firesafetyassessmentmeans

hope this helps

rn976
  

[nearlythere]

Remember Jakespop.
To the private sector members of the public are seen as a very important commodity. To the public sector they are just a nuisance.

[Phoenix]

Yes, NT has it pretty well wrapped up in his reply.  It's not necessarily 'additional devices' that you need, it's the availability of trained staff who can locate and assist people who need to resort to refuges.

Stu

[colin todd]

Are there any suitable lifts in the building?

[jakespop]

There are lifts but not designated as evacuation lifts.

[Clevelandfire 3]

Then manual evacuation devices are the next best option. There are several solutions on the market. A new device I saw recently clamps  onto existing wheelchairs of any size  and has catapillar tracks. It can be pushed easily by practically anyone and costs just a tad more than as a standard evac chair..

[rn976]

 Document for ISO  re use of lifts for evac
http://www.info4fire.com/news-content/full/new-report-on-evacuation-using-lifts

regards rn976

[AnthonyB]

Looks worth getting hold of a copy.

Sometimes you have to use lifts even if not BS compliant evacuation lifts (as virtually nowhere installs these). the next best thing is a firefighting lift with communication, independent control, dual power supplies, all in a protected shaft - these are more common and with a high management/staffing level and careful consideration of those who really have to use this route as oppose to the stairs, can be an option (however don't forget the fire brigade will need to use the lift too so you are limited to how long this method is viable)

[Fishy]

Lifts not designed for evacuation can be used, subject to a risk assessment that demonstrates that certain minimum functional requirements are met.  Section 46.9 of BS 9999 contains the relevant guidance.

[CivvyFSO]

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/guidanceemergencylifts