.5 Means of Escape
RRFSO Article 14 Legal Factors Responsible person must ensure routes to emergency exits and exits themselves are kept clear at all times Exits must directly lead to place of safety Safe quick evacuation Appropriate arrangements depending on premises, equipment, processes, people Emergency doors must open in direction of escape No sliding or revolving doors for exits Not locked or fastened Indicated by signs Emergency lighting where appropriate
Definitions Means of escape Route(s) provided to ensure safe egress from premises or other locations to a place of total safety Routes Good means of escape must be part of the structure of the building Egress Person escaping must be able to turn back on fire and exit to safe place
Definitions Place of total safety Ideally in open air High buildings devise halfway place of safety Place of comparative safety
Strategic Factors Affecting Means of Escape Occupancy Population Number of occupants Physical conditions Expected reactions Asleep or awake Type / Use of building Nature of contents Furnishings Goods stored or used processes
Strategic Factors Affecting Means of Escape Construction Primary Main fabric of building Class A Class B Class C complete non-combustible traditional Non-combustible walls, combustible roof combustible Secondary Internal partitioning, wall and ceiling linings
Strategic Factors Affecting Means of Escape Time of evacuation Class A Class B Class C 3 mins 2 ½ mins 2 mins Also Exits Travel distance Management
General Requirements Management Ensure means of escape maintained in efficient state, good working order, good repair Good system of fire safety checks and inspections Thorough system of planned maintenance and testing All aspects of premises which have impact on means of escape Alternative means of escape from most situations
General Requirements Travel distances Actual distance to be travelled by a person from any point within the floor area to the nearest storey exit or final exit, having regard to the layout of walls, partitions and fixings. Distances to Final exits Doors to a protected lobby Down stairs which are protected routes Doors in a compartment wall
Stairs General Requirements Enclosed in fire resistant shaft Fire resistant doors Exit from base of stairs = fire protected stairwell Travel distance measured to storey exit as above Additional requirements (certain buildings) Fire fighting shaft Fire fighting lift, stairs, lobbies Allows rescue service to quickly access fire floor
General Requirements Stairs Possible to have unprotected stairway Not counted as means of escape If counted travel distance measured up to and down stairs
General Requirements Passageways Arranged so as to allow free passageway for means of escape Marked with paint if necessary
General Requirements Doors Fire resisting and / or fire exit Resisting Prevent spread of fire Ensure means of escape Open in direction of travel 3 hinges Positive self closing device Cold smoke seals Colour raw plug inserted into one edge
Lighting Emergency General Requirements If no natural light / work out of normal hours escape lighting required Clearly indicates escape routes Allow safe movement towards exits To locate fire fighting equipment / alarm call points Adequate in event of electric supply failure Near each exit door Intersection of corridors Changes in floor level Outside each final exit door Near fire fighting equipment Illuminate exit and safety signs
General Requirements Lighting Testing Daily Check no faults rectify and record Monthly Simulate power failure to check system Check battery system or generator energizes for min of 1 hour Annually Additional tests after 3 years
General Requirements Exits Means of escape should utilise normal existing arrangements for egress Width = 750mm or 900mm for wheelchair 1 metre for escape route Increased depending on number of people Consider from every point in every room Clear path from each workstation Consider spacing between desks etc
General Requirements Directional signs Consider people without knowledge visitors etc Visible from furthest point of room Not obscured by any obstacle from any angle Above doorways or immediately next to doorway Not on door itself