Posted By Jim Walker This has been debated here quite recently with some good answers, suggest you search the forum. The upshot it is your responsibility to rescue.

Posted By Derek Housley The issue is addressed in British Standard 5588 part 8. I confirm that it is a management responsibility to put in place suitable and sufficient arrangements to get disabled persons out of the premises As a rule it is good practice that where a lift is installed a disabled evacuation chair should be provided and staff trained in its use at the same time. The only possible exceptions to this would be where horizontal evacuation is used or where the building has been built on a slope! Refuges are temporary holding areas where disabled are mustered for a short period, while management arrange for there evacuation from the building. The Fire Brigade upon arrival should be told that the disabled persons are being assisted out of the building. The Brigade can then concentrate their efforts on fighting the fire. Disabled persons and their evacuation from fire, will no doubt be a significasnt finding and recorded as such under your fire risk assessment made under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which came into force on 1st October 2006. The PEEP ( personal emergency evacuation plan) may well assist.

Posted By Bob Shillabeer Thanks to everyone who responded. You have confirmed my view. The facilities manager will now be told to accept the fact that the responsibility rests with the employer and the fire service is not to be relied upon to evacuate disabled people. The lesson will be learned. Thanks