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Posted By Mark Bywater
My learned colleagues,
I have searched the British Standards and looked carefully through "Fire - An Employers' Guide" but have failed to find any reference to steps at fire exits...but I'm sure something must exist somewhere.
My problem is that we are fitting a new internal fire escape door to a room that had previously only one means of escape. On removing the concrete plinth that the current wall was sat on we find that we have a 2 inch difference in height between the floors either side of the new door.
My view is that if we nose it sufficiently with a stainless angle bar which is set into the floor so as not to provide a tripping hazard and display a notice on the door saying "Beware of step" then that should be fine.
I am open to other suggestions but we have almost certainly discounted forming a small ramp or slope, and a metre wide plinth on the far side of the door will provide problems for staff on the other side of the door.
Any suggestions please?
Kind regards,
Mark
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Posted By stevehaigh
Thats fine unless you happen to be blind.Under DDA it would be best practice to ramp the area.
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Posted By Mark Bywater
I know what you're saying Steve but it's an area of the factory where we couldn't possibly imagine having blind / partially sighted employees, visitors or others due to the nature of the surrounding process. Our risk assessments just wouldn't allow for it...but thanks for the input.
Mark
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Posted By Lynne Ratcliffe
Again DDA and access ramp would be better.
I had a temporary injury and now permanent walking disability that was caused by a step of 1" difference jarring on my ankle. I was fit and healthy until that small stumble now have blue badge, walking aid etc. A simple ramp would have prevented this injury.
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Posted By John Webster
Building regs state that a step should not be less than 75mm (3") high. If you have a problem with a simple ramp on the exit side of the door, will you not also have a problem with the door itself swinging into this area?
That said, we don't know your site, and if that's the best that's reasonably practical, make sure that the step is very clearly marked with black and yellow hatching that can be seen in all lighting levels (or power failure), and notices at eye level.
Builders left me with a similar problem after extending a property. With changes in building regs, the extension was built with upper floor joists 2" deeper than those in the original building. A connecting first floor corridor was left with a shallow step which could not be ramped due to the proximity of a side doorway. The step is marked and illuminated with a light set into the skirting. I am considering connecting a PIR switch so it comes on when somebody approaches - saving electric and drawing more attention to the step.
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Several points to note here
1) There should be a level landing area of 1m x 1m
2) Even ramps need some form of edge protection to prevent accidental stepping off.
3) Ensure lighting is good above it even for midwinter storms
4) This is potentially a situation when the down pointing arrow above the door is correct as there is a step behind the door.
Believe me I fractured 3 metatarsals in this sort of situation!
Bob
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Posted By Ron Hunter
It is at times like these that I tend to go back to the beginning, i.e. is the second door a mandatory requirement? Your post suggests that this is a second door from the room which does not lead directly outdoors.Have Fire Authority confirmed requirement?
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