The National Disability Authority (NDA) is the national independent statutory body established to advise the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on policy and practice relating to people with disabilities. It was set up in 1999 by an Act of the Oireachtas called the National Disability Authority Act 1999. The NDA has been in operation since June 2000 and has undertaken a wide range of activities in an effort to achieve better outcomes for people with disabilities.
The work of the NDA includes:
As part of its work, the NDA has commissioned White Young Green to prepare a guidance document that provides advice in relation to safe egress and evacuation for people with disabilities. The guidelines are based in the context of Irish legislation and Building Regulations, and draw on relevant local and international good practice.
Over many years, guidance has focused on improving both accessibility and the use of buildings and facilities for all potential users. Equal importance must also be given to ensuring safe egress. Recent developments in health and safety legislation require this to be addressed. This guide can assist building operators to meet their obligation to create a safe environment for all.
The main aims of this document are:
Building managers, for example, may face the following questions when designing egress policies and procedures:
This document provides guidance on safe egress of publicly owned and operated buildings for people with disabilities. The document covers:
Good practice has been identified from relevant publications. The following list identifies the main documents reviewed:
Owing to the new accessibility responsibilities placed on public sector bodies in Part 3 of the Disability Act (2005) this document provides a background introduction to the principles of safe egress and specific guidance on requirements for public sector buildings only. Although this document does not provide specific guidance to the private sector, the general principles are applicable. Appendix 4 identifies further reading.
It is recognised that the skills required to make a meaningful assessment of the built environment, together with the incorporated fire safety systems and the specific needs of people with disabilities, are highly specialised. External guidance could be obtained from suitably qualified and experienced persons such as:
In any event, an egress audit carried out by an independent expert should form an intrinsic part of any access audit or fire risk assessment.
The guide offers good practice advice on how to provide safe egress from buildings for people with disabilities. It is envisaged that the guidelines will be of interest to designated managers, facilities managers, accommodation officers, health and safety personnel, access officers, disability liaison officers, human resource professionals and others who have a responsibility to ensure the accessibility and safety of the built environment.
It will also be of interest to design consultants and disability organisations involved with accessibility matters as well as people with disabilities and their families and carers.
It is anticipated that the guide will be used in two ways:
This document is structured to follow the principles of a typical safety and health management system. This management system identifies the key elements needed to assist the target audience in providing egress for all. The six key elements of the management system form the main chapter headings of this document. Figure 1 outlines the relationship between them.
This section outlines the information that needs to be collected to enable an emergency egress plan to be developed, and to set the scope and outcomes of the planning process.
An understanding of egress policy and relevant statutory requirements, guidelines and standards are detailed within this section. It also identifies who is responsible for ensuring safe means of escape.
This is one of the main sections of the document and sets out the principal information required to assist with planning for safe egress. Information relating to the problem, egress issues affecting people with disabilities, risk assessment, consultation, planning and design issues are all discussed.
Issues relating to managing and implementing the egress plan are described within this section. A planned and systematic approach to implementing egress procedures will ensure safe egress for all. The section includes information relating to managing egress, personal emergency egress plans, evacuation aids and training.
Information relating to measurement, monitoring and evaluating a safe egress system are included within this section.
Details on the procedures required to review the egress system are contained here.