Rank: Forum user 
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hello,
We will have on site someone who is in a wheel chair and they will need to go to the 1st floor of our building (using lift).
However we need to think about how to evacuate this person in the event of an emergency. We dont have an evac-chair or stretcher. I am thinking of asking the person what they normally do and if they have their own evac-chair for such purpose.
Do you think this is the way to go, or should it be our responsibility to purchase such items for future events.
Thanks for your help and feedback,
Katie
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You certainly should ask the person involved, and agree what the procedure is going to be with them. Maybe, with assistance, they could walk down the stairs, for instance. You should be obtaining the evac chair or any other equipment required, and not relying on their equipment. IMHO.
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Rank: Forum user
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Speak with the person, and develop a personal evanction plan for them.
Their chair may have carry points on it,
I have had to carry out an evac of a wheelchair user, who was visiting our offices on 2nd floor building,
Evac-chair was avaible, but the invdicual preference was to use the carry points on her own chair.
1. Speak with them, on their needs,
2. Record the findgins in their Peep,
3. Purchase any equipment needed. And Train of course.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Firstly consider why the wheelchair user will need to access the upper floor? If arrangements can be made to do everything at g floor level that would be better.
Some people do not like to be carried, you need to consider that, also wheels can be easily removed from some wheelchairs so don't carry by using the wheels.
As already said some people can walk downstairs or even on their backside, it just takes longer, but don't make the disabled person wait for others to evacuate before starting, that would be discriminatory.
If a EVAC chair is required the employer or premises owner should provide.
There are alternatives to EVAC chairs however.
Don't forget your response team to attend if/when the alarm sounds and practice drill.
A PEEP is required for individuals with the wheelchair user's involvement, and please don't forget to use the PEEP once it has been drawn up.
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Rank: Super forum user
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FireSafety101 wrote:
.......... but don't make the disabled person wait for others to evacuate before starting, that would be discriminatory.
Really? Is there any precedent or case law to back up this view. After all, disabled persons are often required to wait at refuges for sufficient resources to gather to assist them down (or up!!).
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Rank: Super forum user
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mssy
The problem with the EA 2010 is that it is framed in terms of "significantly more difficult" for the protected person - in this case non ambulant. There is a strong argument that says if a disabled person is forced to wait until all others are evacuated then this process is in itself discriminatory as it exposes them to greater risk of harm than other staff. The emphasis should always be on self evacuation or allocated persons who will IMMEDIATELY assist and not wait until the end. For this reason the whole concept of Rfuge Points has to considered carefully on a case by case basis and should always be a last resort solution. Too often it is the first and only considered solution. I have seen stairlifts very successfully used for 2 storey buildings and perhaps new builds should have Fire Lifts designed into them from the start.
Yes there are limits to the requirements but solutions should be sought before one can say that it was not reasonable to adapt further. Note the emphasis is not on what is reasonable to do from the employers perspective alone and it is an end of the road position. Too many make it a start point.
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Rank: Super forum user
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In my opinion, if a refuge is available and it is part of a protected route, half hour fire resisting compartment with comms etc. Then it can be part of the PEEP. However if no refuge as above then the wheelchair user must be treated equally and if assistance is needed and that assistance has arrived then no reason for delay.
I have a wheelcheair user daughter and believe me if we are in an evacuation situation she will be one of the first down the stairs.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The "ethics" of a refuge is something that's always worried me.
Why should someone who has a disability be exposed to extra risk.
What happened to the strong defending the weak?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I agree that if the work area can be transferred to the ground floor this would be the best course of action, though I know this isn't always possible. With regard to the exposure of the extra risk, in theory if a refuge area is in place and an area is being evacuated, it would probably be a couple of extra minutes waiting- but we know what the human race is like- we all react differently. I can easily see there being situations if you are trying to get a wheelchair user for example down some stairs, causing a queue, someone will panic and potentially could harm alot of people trying to get out quicker.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks all for your feedback, i have emailed the person directly as to what they normally do in this situation. Based on that and our own assessment i think we should be ok.
Katie
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