FIRE EVACUATION METHODS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS

FIRE EVACUATION METHODS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Name of the Student: Rishaad Amlani Fourth Year, B. Arch Architectural Project I Allana College of Architecture

DECLARATION

The submitted report for Architectural Project and Dissertation titled “Fire Evacuation Methods for the Visually Impaired in Public Buildings” is owned by Rishaad Amlani, student of Bachelor of Architecture, Fourth Year. This is to declare that the information and data is processed from mentioned sources and due credit has been given in the section of ‘Bibliography'. The report is original in its kind and not a replica of any other report or project of a similar topic.

I

ACKNOWLEDGMENT I would like to express the deepest appreciation to my primary research guide Ar. C.S. Kataria for being extremely supportive throughout my research on Fire Evacuation Methods for the Visually Impaired in Public Buildings'.

I would truly like to thank Ar. Aditi Deshpande and Ar. Manas Marathe for guiding me throughout the process of my research and helping me with their valuable advice at every stage.

I would also like to thank all the Prerna Institute for the Blind and also all the Public Buildings that I visited as part of my field study for their support and for the data that they provided me with.

II

CONTENTS

Abstract

1

1. Introduction

2

1.1. World Disability Statistics 1.2. Need for Study in India 1.3. Studying Visual Disability 1.4. Studying Public Places 2. Difficulties faced by the Visually Impaired

6

2.1. Interaction with Environment 2.2. Social Interaction 2.3. Visual Symbols 2.4. Gainful Employment 2.5. Public Perception 3. Survey to Determine the Problems faced by the Visually

8

Impaired while navigating through Public Places 4. Study of some Important Public Buildings in Pune

12

5. Laws on Disability in India

15

5.1. The Persons with Disabilities Act 5.2. Study of National Building Code and Local Bylaws (Development

Control

Rules)

for

Laws

pertaining

to

Accessibility of the Visually Disabled 5. 3. Study of Laws on Accessibility for the Visually Disabled in the United Kingdom III

6. Recommendations for Improving the Efficiency of

19

Emergency Evacuations of the Visually Impaired 6.1. Recommendations for Architects and Builders 6.2. Recommendations for Management of Public Buildings

7. Bibliography

24

8. Annexures

25

8.1. Survey to Determine the Problems faced by the Visually Impaired while navigating through Public Places 8.2.

IV

List of Figures Figure 1: Prevalence of Disability in the World by Type, Page 2 Figure 2: Percentage Distribution of Disabled People by Type of Disability, Page 3 Figure 3: Percentage of People affected by Total Visual Impairment and Partial Visual Impairment, Page 9 Figure 4: Functional Disabilities affecting the Partially Blind, Page 9 Figure 5: Methods of Assistance used to Navigate around the City, Page 10 Figure 6: Number of Times they visit Public Buildings in a Week, Page 10 Figure 7: Methods of Assistance used while navigating through Public Buildings, Page 11 Figure 8: Number of People that are open towards a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan each time they enter a Public Building, Page 12 Figure 9: Fire Escape Door at Amanora Town Center, Page 13 Figure 10: Fire Escape Staircase at Amanora Town Center, Page 14 Figure 11: Automated Fire Escape Door, Page 19 Figure 12: Unsuitable Open Risers, Page 19 Figure 13: Fire Compartmentalized Plan of a Building, Page 20 Figure 14: Handrails in Public Buildings, Page 20 Figure 15: Color Contrasting of Stairways, Page 20 Figure 16: Step Edge Markings, Page 21 Figure 17: Braille Signage, Page 23

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ABSTRACT This guide is intended to assist the building designer (architect and builder) to improve the service that they offer to visually impaired people in the buildings that they build and adapt. Buildings exist to allow protection from the external environment, and facilitate the occupants in their activity of living, working or carrying out leisure activities. The building at its best is an enabling product, and at its worst a handicapping one.

An increasing willingness by designers and builders to design for this increasingly visible and vocal group of the community, is an important factor driving this research.

The fundamental vision of this research is that everyone should be enabled by the built environment. A building that is accessible, and staffed by people who welcome those from all walks of life, will draw the best out of society.

The philosophies are the same that have been behind the equal rights movements for the past many years. In this instance there are physical as well as attitudinal changes to overcome. While I will touch on the attitudinal aspects of servicing disabled users, most of this research is designed to reduce the ignorance that has allowed the physical barriers to remain intact.

Keywords:

fire,

safety,

evacuation,

accessibility

1

visually

impaired,

disability,

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. World Disability Statistics Around 15% of the world’s population, or estimated 1 Billion people live with disabilities. They are the world’s largest minority.

This figure is increasing through population growth, medical advances and the aging process, says the World Health Organisation.

In countries with life expectancies of over 65 years, individuals spend on average about 8 years, or 11.5% of their lifespan, living with disabilities.

The World Bank estimates that 20 percent of the world’s poorest people have some kind of disability, and tend to be regarded in their own communities as the most disadvantaged.

Comparative studies on disability legislation shows that only 45 countries have anti-discrimination and other disability-specific laws.

Figure 1: Prevalence of Disability in the World by Type

2

1.2. Need for Study in India Proportion of Disabled Persons in Population: 2.21% Estimated Size of Disabled Population: 26,810,557 Figure 2: Percentage Distribution of Disabled People by Type of Disability

Speech Disability 7%

Mental 10% Visual Disability 49%

Movement Disability 28% Hearing Disability 6%

Census has revealed that over 26 million people in India are suffering from one or the other kind of disability. This is equivalent to 2.1% of the population.

Among the type of disabilities on which data has been collected, On an average, in India, every year about 25000 people die due to fire and related causes. It is estimated that about 42 females and 21 males die every day in India due to fire. Also, fire accounts for about 6% of all deaths due to natural and unnatural causes in India.

A small fire in any building may be spread very fast and within a few minutes could reach a stage beyond the control of its occupants. In such cases, the people in most amount of danger are the ones who cannot fend for themselves against such calamites i.e. the disabled.

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Hence, it becomes very important to study ways in which these disabled persons can be helped in the case of fire or any calamities, in buildings.

1.3 Studying Visual Impairment In India, 49% of disabled people have Visual disabilities. This is the main reason for consideration of Visual disability in this study.

Disabilities

is

an

umbrella

term,

covering

impairments,

activity

limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body

function

or

structure;

an activity

limitation is

a

difficulty

encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Thus, disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives.

Individuals may also qualify as disabled if they have had an impairment in the past or are seen as disabled based on a personal or group standard or norm. physical, sensory,

Such

impairments

and cognitive or developmental

may

include

disabilities. Mental

disorders (also known as psychiatric or psychosocial disability) and various types of chronic disease may also qualify as disabilities.

In 2012, WHO estimated that 650 million people, or 10% of the world’s population were estimated to be moderately or severely disabled.

The design of spaces for the disabled broadly falls under ‘Barrier Free Design’. Barrier Free design is the concept of designing all products and the built environment to be aesthetic and usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone, regardless of their age, ability or status in life.

4

Vision impairment (or "visual impairment") is vision loss of a person to such a degree as to qualify as an additional support need through a significant

limitation

of

visual

capability

resulting

from

either disease, trauma, or congenital or degenerative conditions that cannot be corrected by conventional means, such as refractive correction, medication, or surgery. This functional loss of vision is typically defined to manifest with best corrected visual acuity of less than 20/60, or significant central field defect, significant peripheral field defect including homonymous or heteronymous bilateral visual, field defect or generalized contraction or constriction of field, or reduced peak contrast sensitivity with either of the above conditions.

1.4. Study of Public places Places that the Disabled frequently visit can be classified into two main types: i.

Homes: In this case, the disabled person has, either people surrounding him/her who can help out in case of fire, or they are familiar enough with the surroundings to evacuate the premises by themselves. In some cases, the house could be specifically designed to help the person evacuate.

ii.

Public Places (including Work Places) : In this case, the disabled person is not familiar with his surroundings and might also be alone at the time of fire, and will need help in evacuation, either manually or mechanically.

Therefore, this study will only be restricted to Public places.

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2.

DIFFICULTIES

FACED

BY

THE

VISUALLY

IMPAIRED Visual impairment represents a continuum, from very poor vision, to people who can see light but no shapes, to people who have no perception of light at all. However, for general discussion it is useful to think of this population as representing two broad groups: those with low vision and those who are legally blind.

Low vision is defined as vision that is between 20/40 and 20/200 after correction. (20/200 means that something at 20 feet would be just as visible as something at 200 feet would be to someone with normal 20/20 vision) There are 9-10 million people with low vision. Some of these can read print if it is large and held close (or viewed through a magnifier).

Others can only use their sight to detect large shapes, colors or contrasts. A person is termed legally blind when their visual acuity (sharpness of vision) is 20/200 or worse after correction, or when their field of vision is less than 20 degrees.

Blindness can be present at birth, acquired through illness or accident, or associated with aging (glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, optic nerve atrophy, diabetic retinopathy).

Functional limitations of people with visual impairments include increased sensitivity to glare, viewing the world as through a yellowed lens, no central vision, no peripheral vision, loss of visual acuity or focus, poor night vision, reduced color distinction ability or a general hazing of all vision. Those who are legally blind may still retain some perception of shape and contrast or of light vs. dark (the ability to locate a light source), or they may be totally blind (having no awareness of environmental light).

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Blind people face challenges that the sighted do not have to overcome, and are often limited in their ability to live life.

2.1. Interaction with Environment Blind people can have difficulty interacting with their environment.

Because it can become difficult to perceive where one is and to get from one place to another, movement can become restricted, leading to having little contact with the surrounding world. While other senses can be enhanced, this can be offset by a tendency toward over-protection.

2.2. Social Interaction Blind people are often restricted in their ability to interact socially. There can be an apprehension or awkwardness on the part of sighted people when dealing with the blind, which can lead to difficulty for the blind in developing relationships. As a result, they are often relegated to specific roles in society and are usually held to lower standards and expectations.

2.3. Visual Symbols Much of how we communicate is through the use of visual symbols. We depend on what we see to warn us of danger, to provide direction and to interact with people. The blind person is often placed in a situation of being excluded from these symbols, which in effect cuts them off from a portion of the world.

2.4. Gainful Employment The blind have difficulty finding adequate employment. According to Independence Inc., 65 percent to 70 percent of blind people are either unemployed or underemployed, and the jobs they are able to obtain are often menial. Michelle Gittens, a blind music student and professional singer, said the worst part of being blind is the employment situation. "Not working is the biggest problem," she said. "It's dehumanizing."

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2.5. Public Perception The blind have to deal with a public perception that they are not capable of functioning as well in society as sighted people. The visually impaired face a form of prejudice that can hold them back, and can only be eliminated through continuous efforts to educate the public.

The Visually Impaired go through a number of difficulties in the day to day lives in each and every respect, so one can only imagine the turmoil they would face in the event of a Fire Evacuation. Hence, it is extremely important to consider them in the event of a Fire Evacuation.

3. SURVEY TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEMS FACED

BY THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED WHILE NAVIGATING THROUGH PUBLIC PLACES A telephonic survey of 22 people, suffering from Visual Impairment, was conducted through Prerna Association for the Blind, based in Pune, from the 27th to the 28tb of February. The survey had people of all age groups.

It was done to determine the problems faced and the methods of assistance used by the Visually Impaired while navigating through the City and through Public Spaces, so that an inference could be made as to which methods of evacuation are more preferable in the context of our City.

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Figure 3: Percentage of People affected by Total Visual Impairment and Partial Visual Impairment

Total Impairment, 8, 36%

Partial Impairment , 14, 64%

There are a larger number of people that are Partially Impaired, which means that they still have some amount of Vision and with some help can navigate through Public buildings.

No. of Persons affected

Figure 4: Functional Disabilities affecting the Partially Blind 13

14 11

12 10 8

11

8

6 4 2

3

2

0 Increased Viewing the No Central or Loss of Visual Poor Night Sensitivity to World as Peripheral Acuity or Vision Glare through a Vision Focus Yellowed Lens

Functional Disabilities

9

Reduced Color Distinction Ability or a General Hazing of all Vision

‘Loss of Visual Acuity’, which is the degree of visual clarity or the sharpness of the retinal focus within the eye, is the most common aberration affecting the Visually Impaired, and should be most important while designing. ‘No Central or Peripheral Vision’ and ‘Reduced Color Distinction ability’ are the next two most important aberration groups.

Figure 5: Methods of Assistance used to Navigate around the City

No. of Persons

20

19 15

15

11

10

7

5

2

0

0 White Crane

Guide Dog

Vocal Navigation

Compass

Asking People With the Help for Direction of a Caregiver

Methods of Assistance

White Canes are the most commonly used assistive techniques, so navigation towards fire escapes can be assisted with the help of step edge markings etc. which require navigation through the use of canes.

Figure 6: Number of Times they visit Public Buildings in a Week

3 - 6 times 18%

Everyday 9%

Don't Visit 5%

1-2 times 68%

10

A majority of people (68%) said that they visit Public Buildings 1-2 times a week, so they have to be accounted for while designing Emergency Evacuation systems.

Number of Persons

Figure 7: Methods of Assistance used while navigating through Public Buildings 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

19

18

12

1

0

Able to With the Help White Cane Navigate of a Caregiver without Help

Guide Dog

0 Asking for Instructions from other people

Concierge

Methods of Assistance Used

White Canes are the most commonly used assistive techniques, so navigation towards fire escapes can be assisted with the help of step edge markings etc. “Asking others for directions� is a commonly selected answer when asked about navigation in Public buildings, thus proper training of Staff should be carried out. It also shows the openness of the people in accepting help from others, which could be incorporated in the Emergency Evacuation plans as part of a Buddy System.

Presence of caregivers accompanying the impaired person is fairly common, therefore the caregivers should be involved in the Planning process of the Evacuation.

Also, none of the Persons admitted to having been assisted by concierges at public buildings. Thus, recruitment of special staff at Public buildings becomes important.

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Figure 8: Number of People that are open towards a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan each time they enter a Public Building

Persons who do not want a PEEP 29% Persons who want a PEEP 71%

A majority of the People have shown an inclinations towards a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan being drawn up for them each time they enter a Public Building, in spite of the time concerns.

4. Study of some Important Public Buildings in Pune The following building assessments were conducted of various shopping malls in Pune, on 5th – 6th March, 2016. Questions were asked about structure and planning of the malls, to understand whether these malls would be safe for the Visually Impaired in case of an Emergency Fire Evacuation.

The following Buildings were assessed: i.

Nitesh Hub, Koregaon Park, Pune

ii.

Phoenix Marketcity, Vimanagar, Pune

iii.

Kumar Pacific Mall, Shankarsheth Road, Pune

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iv. v. vi.

Pulse Mall, Vimanagar, Pune Inorbit Mall, Vimanagar, Pune West Blok, Amanora Town Center, Hadapsar, Pune

Conclusion and Analysis: i.

Only 2 of the Malls had concierge

Figure 9: Fire Escape Door at Amanora Town Center

services at the Reception. ii.

5 out of the 6 malls provided Fire Evacuation Plans at regular intervals at the mall.

iii.

None

of

the

malls

provided

Evacuation Plans that could be read by the Visually Disabled. iv.

The average distance between fire staircases at the malls ranged from 35 meters (maximum) to 25 meters (minimum).

The

recommended

distance between two fire staircases is 30 meters for mercantile buildings according the Indian Standard Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Buildings. v.

All of the Buildings studied had R.C.C. Dog-leg Staircases for Fire Escapes. Two of the buildings had large nosings on the staircases which could be considered dangerous for the Visually Impaired.

vi.

4 of the Staircases opened out into a Primary Corridor, 1 opened out into a Secondary Corridor and 1 opened out into a Main Area. The maximum distance of the Fire Staircase from the main area, was recorded as 12 meters, while the minimum was recorded as 5 meters.

vii.

None of the Buildings had Special Staff to take care of the Disabled.

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viii.

None of the Buildings had Customized Fire Instructions for the Disabled.

ix.

5 out of 6 Buildings had

Figure 10: Fire Escape Staircase at Amanora Town Center

Refuge Areas which could be

used

in

case

of

Emergency Evacuation. x.

None of the Buildings had Refugee

waiting

areas,

along the corridors where the disabled can wait for help, while moving out of the way of other people also evacuating the building. xi.

3 out of 6 Buildings had Evacuation chairs on hand for the Disabled.

xii.

2 out of 5 Buildings had handrails in the Primary Corridors leading up to the Fire Exit.

xiii.

None of the Buildings had Tactile maps to help the Visually Impaired while navigation.

xiv.

None of the buildings used Color Contrasting in and around the mall, to help the Visually Impaired while navigation.

xv.

None of the fire safety doors in the buildings were automated. 3 of the buildings had double steel doors, while 3 had single steel doors.

2 out of the 6 buildings had Fire Doors with Panic Handles.

xvi.

None of the Buildings had Signs with Large Fonts.

xvii.

All of the Buildings had Fire Alarms with Sound.

xviii.

None of the Buildings had Colour Contrasted Fire Escape Stairs.

xix.

None of the Buildings had Step Edge Markings.

All of the Buildings studied show a distinct lack of concern for the Safety and Evacuation of the Visually Disabled. Other than that, a lack of architectural

and

structural

planning,

management policies have been observed.

14

and

also

inconsiderate

This could be due to inadequate Laws and policies in the Code governing the construction of such Buildings. To understand the root of the problem, a study of the National Building Code of India, and The Development Control Rules of the Pune Municipal Corporation were studied.

5. Laws on Disability 5.1. The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 “The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995� had come into enforcement on February 7, 1996. It is a significant step which ensures equal opportunities for the people with disabilities and their full participation in the nation building.

The Act provides for both the preventive and promotional aspects of rehabilitation like education, employment and vocational training, reservation, research and manpower development, creation of barrier- free environment, rehabilitation of persons with disability, unemployment allowance for the disabled, special insurance scheme for the disabled employees and establishment of homes for persons with severe disability etc.

5.1.1. Main Provisions of the Act i.

Prevention and Early Detection of Disabilities

ii.

Education

iii.

Employment

iv.

Non-Discrimination

v.

Research and Manpower Development

vi.

Affirmative Action

vii.

Social Security

viii.

Grievance Redressal 15

5.2. Study of National Building Code and Local Bylaws (Development

Control

Rules)

for

Laws

pertaining

to

Accessibility of the Visually Disabled An extensive study of the National Building Code of India showed that there were no currently no Laws in place regarding the Evacuation of people with Disabilities, which contradicts with Article 15 (2) of the Indian Constitution, that states �no citizen (including the disabled) shall be subjected to any disability, liability, restriction or condition on any of the above grounds in the matter of their access to shops, public restaurants, hotels and places of public entertainment or in the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of government funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.�

A similar study of the Development Control Rules of the Pune Municipal Corporation also showed a total lack of Laws and Regulations concerning People with disabilities and impairments.

5.3. Study of Laws on Accessibility for the Visually Disabled in the United Kingdom 5.3.1. Laws in the United Kingdom In public places the The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the Responsible Person when conducting a fire risk assessment and considering the means of escape from fire they should incorporate the recommendations of, The British Standards Institute BS 8300:2009.

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Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people.

The following guidance should be read in conjunction with the British Standard BS 8300:2009 Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. The evacuation plan should only be devised by persons familiar with the location and the people involved. i.

Disabled people, like everyone else, should always have, available, safe means of escape in the event of fire.

ii.

The nominated person in charge, must with the assistance of the Responsible Person, make the best practicable arrangements for ascertaining what areas is used by disabled people, and must, in consultation with them, make adequate arrangements for their evacuation in the event of fire. These arrangements must be tested.

iii.

A Personal Fire Evacuation Plan should be drawn up for every disabled person or group of disable people in the building. Regular building users who are disabled should receive a copy of a Personal Fire Evacuation Plan. If the building is one with a large number of visitors then simple relevant fire evacuation instructions should, so far as possible, be handed to disabled visitors, by reception staff.

iv.

A sufficient number of people should be trained in advance in giving assistance to disabled people so that the necessary number would be present in the event of an emergency.

v.

Where necessary, arrangements must be made for the presence of the disabled person to be known to those who would give assistance.

This could be done with an in-out tally at the entrance or by informing someone, providing the desk or of�ce involved is permanently manned during the day. In some cases, for example ensuring that deaf or blind people are helped out, a door warden system may be more appropriate.

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vi.

In the case of work above ground door level by people who use a wheelchair or have difficulty with stairs, arrangements should be based on horizontal movement away from fire through fire-resisting doors to an area of refuge. Procedures could be based on the following principles: a. When the fire bell rings the disabled person asks assistance from anyone nearby to help in evacuation. The disabled person and helpers wait, without causing obstruction, in a place near the stairs until other occupants have gone down and the disabled person is then carried or helped downstairs.

It may be necessary to provide one or more evac-chairs for this. b. If insufficient helpers are on hand the disabled person moves to the main stairwell, or another one if this had been considered by prior agreement with the emergency party to be more convenient, unless there are signs of smoke of fire in which case the stairwell furthest away from the fire is used, and waits in the stairwell for assistance. c. The emergency party gathers and if the disabled person is known to be in the building they go the pre-arranged staircase or, if that is in or very near the fire, to the alternative staircase and carry the disabled person down.

vii.

A fire safety adviser can help in the application of this code to particular circumstances, and should be consulted in any case where it appears that building modifications might be required to provide safe means of escape for disabled persons.

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6. Recommendations for Improving the Efficiency of Emergency Evacuations of the Visually Impaired 6.1. Recommendations for Architects and Builders Some building adaptation may facilitate evacuation and reduce the need for

personal

assistance.

Fire

safety

measures

such

as

fire

compartmentation, automatic life safety suppression systems (such as sprinklers) and automatic fire detection may extend the time available for disabled people to make their own evacuation or leave with assistance.

6.1.2. Consideration of Automated Fire Doors Some people may have difficulty opening self- Figure 11: Automated Fire closing fire-doors. Doors which are fitted with

Escape Door

automatic opening for accessibility may have the opening facility disengaged automatically in a fire situation by a link to the fire alarm system. This needs to be considered and the disabled person informed that these doors, which they may normally be able to negotiate without difficulty, may pose a difficulty in the event of fire or operation of the fire alarm.

6.1.3. No Open Risers Open risers on stairs may not pose Figure 12: Unsuitable Open Risers difficulty where the stair is being used for descent only, but when ascending a stair open risers on the stair can cause difficulty. Some people are at risk of trapping the toes of their shoes beneath projecting nosings and tripping as a result.

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6.1.4. Fire Compartmentalization of Buildings Some buildings are divided into Figure 13: Fire Compartmentalized Plan of a separate

fire

compartments

Building

and it may be possible to evacuate

people

through

the

horizontally

building

into

another fire compartment and away

from

the

emergency

situation.

6.1.5. Provision of Handrails Some people will be able to make Figure 14: Handrails in Public Buildings their own escape but will require a handrail to support them to get out of the building. This will be to either the right or left of the stairs. Some will not be able to use the right and others the left.

6.1.6. Colour Contrasting of Stairways To assist their orientation needs, some Figure 15: Color Contrasting of people

will

require

an

orientation

strategy to assist way-finding within the building. This can be achieved through colour coding or contrasting the escape routes.

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Stairways

6.1.7. Step Edge Markings

Figure 16: Step Edge Markings

Some people will be more confident about making their own way out of the building if there is sufficient contrast on the nosings on the stairs.

6.1.8. Circulation Improving circulation and orientation can be of great benefit. Logical routes to escape stairs will not only assist partially sighted people but will be of benefit to all users of the building.

6.1.9. Refuge Areas Disabled people should not always be required to wait for the main flow of people to be completed. Where a person may need to rest or they feel uncomfortable with people behind them, it may be appropriate to design a plan that allows resting in refuges provided along the route. However if they are likely to cause obstruction to other people leaving the building it may be safer if they follow the main flow.

A refuge (sometimes described as a temporary waiting space) is an area that is separated from a fire by fire-resisting construction and provided with a safe route to a storey exit, thus constituting a temporarily safe space for disabled people.

6.2. Recommendations for the Management of Public Buildings Planning for evacuation is about planning for exceptional circumstances and disabled people are no different from anyone else in that they prefer to be in control of their own evacuation. As much as possible the aim

21

should be to enable disabled people to evacuate independently, not all disabled people will require assisted evacuation.

There are two types of plans that could be used: Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (Peeps) For 6.2.1. Employees and Regular Visitors Where staff and regular visitors to a building require a plan, they can be provided with an individual plan through the human resources department or building manager. The plan must be tailored to their individual needs and is likely to give detailed information on their movements during an escape. It is also possible that there will be some building adaptation to facilitate their escape and to reduce the need for personal assistance.

6.2.2. Standard Plans for Occasional Visitors This guidance provides advice on a wide range of options for ensuring the safe evacuation of disabled people. These options contain some standard elements, but these can of course be adapted to suit particular organisations. In order to provide suitable means of escape for visitors, a set of standard escape options should be adopted by the organisation.

A standard plan is used where there are visitors or casual users of the building who may be present infrequently or on only one occasion. This is an extension of the process of signing into a building and being given a visitor badge with the escape procedures on the back of it. A disabled person requiring assisted escape is offered options for their assistance and is given suitable instructions.

22

6.2.3. Groups of Visitors Part of the booking procedure for groups should include provision of standard plans. Where there is a large number of people with disabilities, the group organiser may play a role in the provision of plans.

6.2.4. Additional Special Staff It may be necessary to recruit and train additional staff to provide assistance during an evacuation. In considering staff that may provide assistance in an evacuation it is important to consider their work time availability, location in a building or on a site and whether they are employees of another company providing an outsourced facility.

6.2.5. Good Signage

Figure 17: Braille Signage

Good signage and other orientation aids will assist the evacuation of people who are partially sighted.

Most visually impaired people have some sight and they may be able to use this during the evacuation in order to make their own way out of the building as part of the general exodus.

6.2.6. Using Escape Routes as a part of General Circulation A partially sighted person may not easily locate exit signs or be aware of the travel direction to get out of the building but they may remember their way out along the route that they entered the building. Using the escape routes as part of the general circulation space within the building will mean that partially sighted people will become more familiar with these routes and this may assist in the event of evacuation.

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7. BIBLIOGRAPHY i.

‘Factsheet on Persons with Disabilities’, United Nations Enable 2012

ii.

‘Chapter 4: Dimension of Disability’, NSS Survey Organisation 2002

iii.

‘Chapter 5: Types of Disability’, NSS Survey Organisation 2002

iv.

‘Data on Disability’, Census of India 2011, Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India

v.

‘Change the Definition of Blindness’, World Health Organisation. 2012

vi.

‘Causes of Blindness’, Lighthouse International

vii.

‘Problems of People with Disabilities’, Cornucopia of Disability Information, 2013

viii. ix.

‘Challenges of Being Blind’, by Chris Joseph, www.ehow.com, 2010 ‘The People with Disabilities Act’, 1995, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India

x. xi.

‘The National Building Code of India’, 2005 ‘Fire Safety Law’, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, 2011

xii.

‘Fire Safety Risk Assessment’, Disability Rights Commission, United Kingdom

xiii.

‘Career Ideas for Legally Blind People’ , by Shala Munroe, Demand Media

xiv.

‘Fire Safety for Special Needs Groups’, Fire Safety Advice Center, Government of Ireland, 2010

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8. Annexures 8.1. Annexure I : Survey to Determine the Problems faced by the Visually Impaired while navigating through Public Places

Name ________________________________________________ Age _______ Gender _______ Occupation ____________________ Degree of Visual Impairment ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ____________ Age at which they became impaired ______ Languages known ______________________________________________________________ Highest Level of Education ________________ Occupation _____________________ Knowledge of Braille _______________

If partially disabled, which of the following functional disabilities do you face? o Increased sensitivity to glare o viewing the world as through a yellowed lens o no central vision, no peripheral vision o loss of visual acuity or focus o poor night vision o reduced color distinction ability or a general hazing of all vision.

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Other ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

How many times in a week do you leave your house?

o 1-2 Times a week o More than 3 times a week o More than 5 times a week o Everyday

Which of the following do you use to navigate through the city? o White Cane o Guide Dog o Vocal Navigation o Compass o Ask People for Directions o Caregiver

How many times in a week do you visit public buildings like malls, shopping centers, government offices, and office complexes? o I don’t visit public buildings o 1-2 times a week o 3-6 times a week o Everyday

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How do you navigate through these public buildings? o I am able to Navigate without Help o With the help of a Caregiver o White Cane o Guide Dog o Asking for Instructions from Others o Concierge Other ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

What do you think would be your reaction in case of an Emergency Fire Evacuation? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Would you be open to a personalized fire evacuation plan every time you enter a public building? o Yes o No If no, why? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Do you have an evacuation plan at your workplace? If no, would you be open to one? o Yes 27

o No If no, why? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Annexure 2: Study of some Important Public Buildings in pune Name of building ____________________________________ Building type ___________________________ No. Of floors _____ Any places of high frequency of visually disabled __________________________ Any events for the disabled ____________________________________________

Checklist Concierge service at reception Provision of fire evacuation plan for normally abled Provision of fire evacuation plan for the disabled Average distance between fire staircases Type of fire staircase Where do the fire staircases open Distance of fire staircase from main public area Ease of accessibility to fire staircase Fire lifts Special staff or volunteers to take care of the disabled Customised fire intructions for the disabled

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Number of staff hired Refuge areas Refugee waiting areas Evacuation chairs Handrails along route Tactile maps Colour contrasting Type of fire escape door ( ease of access) Large font information Types of alarm systems Colour contrasting of stairways Step edge markings

Other observations ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

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