Safe refuge in multi storet buildings
On my many access audit visits up and down the country I have undertaken DDA audits in many multi storey buildings. As a disabled person and a DDA auditor (Access All Areas) I am concerned about the DDA recommendations of areas of safe refuge within multi storey buildings. The DDA states that such building should have areas of safe refuge for those unable to manage the stairs in the event of an evacuation.
This surely is assuming the emergency is a fire and those in the safe refuge area will ‘assumable’ be rescued relatively quickly by the fire department.
I personally do not have a problem with this assuming the safe refuge area has been checked thoroughly but and the big but is would you be happy to remain in an area of safe refuge in a large building if the emergency was say a ‘Bomb Scare’? Would it not be better to have Evac chairs in all multi storey building with staff equipped to use them? Food for thought wouldn't you say?
As a wheelchair user I fully agree that we should be able to have access to most reasonable public buildings, however as an access auditor I feel if we cant get out of the building safely, we should not be going in it, at least not until those responsible have address all issues including egress. For more details on DDA access audits see www.access-auditing.com Finally my advice to fellow disabled people is: When entering a building think about how you will get out in an emergency as well as how you will get in.
Note: Companies/forums wishing to use this article please contact via web address above.
Last edited by UKRobin on 30 Nov 2007 03:01 pm; edited 1 time in total
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not a news item or resource, hence moved.Patrick H. Lauke / webmaster / University of Salford
co-lead: WaSP Accesibility Task Force
take it to the streets ... WaSP Street Team
personal: splintered | photographia | redux
co-author: Web Accessibility - Web Standards and Regulatory Compliance
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You will notice the word 'STOREY' appears THREE times in the article all spelled correctly, the spelling you are talking about was in the title. Are you so perfect that you have never hit a key directly beside another by mistake? I.E. R is next to T at least on my machine! Are you really so childish that you are not able to find anything better to do?
As for accusing me of spamming may I point something out to you? When somebody spams a system it is not TWICE or even THREE times it is many hundreds if not thousands.
At least when I replied to comments I did not include a link to my web site. Unlike yourself. You not only included a link to your site for your own gain be it a ratings gain or selling your product but you also included your email address!
As I have tried to express to you and others, this was an of article of mine, The same article but greatly extended has appeared in SEVEN UK newspapers FOUR radio programs and mentioned in TWO television shows. Not one of these mentioned my web site or email address. They obviously saw the importance of the message and cared about the dangers those unable to manage the stairs in the event of an emergency. Where as you are more interested in getting one over on your fellow man. Or was it just another opportunity to get those important addresses on yet another web page for your own gain?
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Hello again Robin 
I'm afraid you have hit a raw nerve with some of the people on this forum. Spammers are a way of life and we have developed a not too caring attitude to the real spammers so that when a genuine article like yours comes along it is seen as spam by some.
We all make spelling mistakes, I have great difficulty in spelling accommodate for instance, and am very good at placing my fingers on two keys or spelling letters in the wrong order.
IMHO you have been percieved as a spammer because the content of your post related to physical accessibility and the forum deals in general with website accessibility. Some people probably weren't even aware that the physical section existed here
Don't lose heart
I for one support your views having responsibility for disability issues at the Institute.
My plea to the rest of the members, give Robin a chance, he seems like a genuine person with disability access as his motivation. That surely is not a bad thing at all
Mike Abbott
Accessible to everyone
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OMG Mark sounds like the DWP needs a serious shake up. It is actually the job of the Buildings Management to ensure the safety of staff and visitors in there building not the Fire Dept.
It amazes me that public buildings are expected to comply with the DDA but Government bodies such as the DWP and many others simply haven’t taken it on board.
I guess we are all waiting for that inevitable court case against some high street chain, maybe, just maybe change will be forced on them after realising that non-compliance could actually hit them where it hurts most and that’s their pockets!
Maybe you could get me in there to do an audit lol 10% ok with you ??? lol just joking M8.
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WOW this thread has been revived after 6 1/2 years! A compliment to Accessify. Shame the reply has no "real" connection to the issue raised
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| RE: It is actually the job of the Buildings Management to ensure the safety of staff and visitors in there building not the Fire Dept. |
P.S the DDA is no longer, it is now part of the Equality Act 2010 but does carry forward all the requirements of the DDA.
Catch you in 2018
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