Evacuation of persons who may have difficulty

This may include people who use wheelchairs or walking aids; people who have difficulty with stairs or walking distances; people with vision or hearing difficulties; children; persons with mental difficulties. Temporary difficulties will be addressed as seriously as permanent ones.

The University buildings vary considerably in their suitability for such people. Suitable areas include all areas with direct access to ground or square levels and most areas of the main academic buildings. Upper floors of student residences are not suitable.

Employees and students who have such difficulties should contact the University Fire Officer. A PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) will be prepared considering their personal circumstance. Visitors who have come via Conference or External Relations Sections will be dealt with by them, the Hotel has separate arrangements.

Employees or students who have visitors who may have difficulty are required to notify the Safety Office before or on their arrival on campus; the Information Desk will perform this function out of hours. People being visited will be required to take responsibility for providing assistance. This may be devolved to other persons willing to assist.

The Safety Office, Information Desk, Conference or External Relations Sections will record all such visitors; provide advice and make reasonable arrangements. This may include:

• Encouraging, or arranging, for visitors to use the most suitable areas. At worst, limiting the time they are in less suitable areas.
• Specific advice on evacuation from the areas they may use.
• Advice that they should evacuate horizontally into an area where the alarms are not operating.
• Authorisation to use lifts.
• Ensuring the visitor and helpers know to use the 2222 telephone number in an emergency.
• Reassure visitors that, in a worst case scenario, they are safe from fire in a room for a minimum of 30minutes and in a Disabled Refuge or staircase enclose for a minimum of 2hrs.
• Checking that a trained person is available to use any specialist evacuation equipment.
• Arranging for Patrol Staff to prioritise their location if an alarm activates.
• Conference and External Relations Sections will notify the Information Desk of the arrival of relevant people, the areas they will be using and any arrangements they have made.