Hi Firesafety - given the post content, that's an unexpected name; it's not Friday already is it? If I've interpreted your post correctly, you have an independently powered electic device provided to enable meeting the requirements of the Equality Act as a "reasonable adjustment" in enabling mobility impaired persons to travel from the entrance level floor to another level. For the following, there is an assumption that this is not a high-risk environment that may require additional measures to be in place. First - I refer to the basic requirement of the FSO of Article 14[2] to enable "any relevant person" [that will be all exposed to the foreseeable hazards arising from a fire] "to evacuate the premises as quickly and as safely as possible"; there is no derogation for any category of persons to be left behind. Second - a great number of wheelchair users [not the only mobility impaired group by the way] will potentially be at greater risk when being transferred from their wheelchair than at any other time - especially when it's at the head of a stair and with a person of indeterminate strength & skill in transfer and assisting someone to navigate the stair. Third - your point about the availability of the potential assistant is well-made. Fourth - what is the estimated maximum number of mobility impaired persons likely to require evacuation - more than one? If more than one, the lift failing safe to lower level will not be acceptable. Additionally, the lift should be automatically isolated at whichever level it's at if the zoned fire alarm indicates the fire being in the area where the lift will discharge. Given the above, if the lift is truly provided with an independent source of energy that will not be affected by a failure of the general premises supply I can see no reason for any mobility impaired person to be prevented from using it in a fire evacuation unless it take the person into the fire area. In which case, someone should have thought of that earlier and provided a suitable alternative - which still won't be the procedure described by firesafety. Frank Hallett

Frank, thank you for your comments. 1, In a PEEP situation the tendency is to make the slow persons wait while the more able go first, this has a benefit to the abled of getting out quicker than having to wait while the slower person descends the stairs, also prevents the disabled being crushed in the stampede. Ask others who are involved in PEEPs what they do? 2. Agreed,, 3, Thank you, 4, One wheelchair user, the fire alarm is not zoned and the area the lift discharges into is perfectly visible from the lift and the area involved in fire will be known. The use of the lift will only be considered if the other direction of travel, level corridor with fire exit door direct to outside ramp, is unavailable due to the fire. Thank you for input, I feel you are on my side?

What about an evac-chair and a few able-bodied volunteers trained up to assist the wheelchair user. This secondary escape route seems to be short. Assuming the immediate area is a protected zone there should be ample time to assist in evacuation via evac-chair. Ideally, the individual's every-day wheelchair would also be carried out to safety for transfer at the place of safety. Electrical failure in the event of fire is very common. Things can get sticky without a dedicated emergency supply.

And it was all going so well until you mentioned the wedge! I would advise that ALL doors should be included on Mag Latches; and of course, demonstrable proof exists that the affected mobility impaired person[s] can actually [as oposed to theoretically] open the relevant door[s] withoput assistance - 'cos we can't rely on that assistance being there. Incidentally, is the current focus of our attention a student or staff? Frank Hallett

The PEEP is for a pupil, my daughter age 12. Re rescue from the lift - it is surrounded by glass - 2 sides are doors. If the G floor door can be opened while the power to the lift is off then it is a simple rescue. However we don't want to plan for rescues do we? I'm waiting to hear from the school re the fail issue, if it fails to the G floor then it will be safe to use. I hear what mssy says about the insurance angle and will say, in my humble opinion the H&S Manager for the LEA is not very good. In the past I have caught her out with a COSHH assessment containing the incorrect chemical names and hazards associated with something else, her risk assessments are not "suitable and sufficient" and when she assessed my daughters use of a sports wheelchair she wanted to know where the brakes were and how my daughter would stop. Little did she know that wheelchair users control speed, stop/start with hands on wheels and if brakes were to be used to stop a moving wheelchair the user would undoubtedly be thrown out in a forward direction. The H&S Manager is not aware of this issue - yet - but I would think she will say definitely not use the lift, 'cos that's what they all say without first asking the questions.