Promoting Safe Egress and Evacuation for People with Disabilities

• 1. Foreword
• 2. Introduction
• 3. Initial Review
• 4. Egress Policy
• 5. Planning for Egress
• 6. ImplementingYour Egress Plan
• 7. Measuring Performance of Your Egress Plan
• 8. Reviewing Performance of Your Egress Plan
• 9. Conclusion Page
• Appendix 1. Glossary of Terms
• Appendix 2. PEEP Questionnaire and Template
• Appendix 3. Risk Assessment Checklist
• Appendix 4. Further Information

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7 Measuring Performance of Your Egress Plan

Introduction

Measurement is essential to ensure egress performance is kept at a high level.When performance falls below this level then corrective action should be taken. Procedures to monitor,measure and record egress on a regular basis should be developed along with other key health and safety performances indicators. Records should be kept in the Fire and General Records Register as required by health and safety legislation.

This section will help to meet the following aims of the document:

• Aim 2 - to impart the ability to identify egress features that are normally designed into buildings and the capability of using this information in preparing risk assessments and emergency evacuation plans;
• Aim 3 - to give guidance on providing safe egress for people with disabilities; and
• Aim 4 - to identify good practice in relation to safe egress for people with disabilities.

7.1 Demonstrating Performance

Good egress performance could be demonstrated by showing evidence that:

• monitoring takes place at least annually during live drills;
• scenarios are included in fire drills to replicate eventualities, such as the loss of an exit due to fire;
• egress policy reflects current situations;
• the egress system provides effective monitoring and reporting on performance;
• the evacuation plan is modified to deal with changing circumstances;
• someone at senior management level has executive responsibility for ensuring safe egress;
• management at all levels take ownership of egress responsibilities;
• an egress risk assessment process is in place and remains effective;
• significant egress failures are formally identified and recorded and that appropriate corrective action is taken;
• PEEPs are reviewed at least annually; and
• inspections and tests have been carried out and records maintained.

Some examples of measurements that could be of benefit include:

• availability of fire wardens or PEEP buddies;
• occupation levels as a percentage of the total potential occupancy;
• evacuation times for fire drills;
• satisfaction of people affected;
• level of staff knowledge with egress procedures;
• level of liaison with Fire and Rescue Service;
• levels of maintenance of fire safety systems and aids;
• frequency and nature of near misses during evacuations;
• frequency and timing of fire safety training; and
• number of staff meetings held to discuss egress plans.

7.2 Measuring Performance of Your Egress Plan - Summary

• Develop a range of measurements that allow the performance of the egress plan to be quantified; and
• Regularly measure performance, report to senior management and ensure that appropriate action is taken.

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