Fire safety: Means of escape for disabled people
Research into the provisions for disabled people to evacuate from buildings in the event of a fire, and whether current design guidance is adequate.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
The research examines how disabilities and impairments affect emergency evacuation and whether current guidance on means of escape in Approved Document B (fire safety) is sufficient.
The researchers draw on literature, focus groups, expert interviews, international comparisons and evacuation modelling to examine how regulations work in practice for building managers, occupants, building designers and fire engineers.
They also evaluate the costs and benefits of evacuation lifts, refuges, and evacuation chairs and consider the requirements for people with mental health and neurological conditions.
Background
The government commissioned the research as part of a technical review of Approved Document B (fire safety).
BRE Global, Ulster University, University of Edinburgh and a private disability consultant carried out the work, and the findings and recommendations do not represent government policy.