ABSTRACT
The numbers of disabled people using buildings to which the public have access has increased significantly in recent years. However, the provision of accessible means of escape from fire for disabled people has not been adequately addressed and in general it is hoped that the traditional codified approaches to the provision of means of escape are sufficient. It is not unreasonable to assume that with ongoing societal and cultural changes in attitudes to ‘disability’ more disabled people will gain access to and use buildings at will. Hence, the need for the provision of adequate and accessible means of escape will become more acute.
In order to address this emerging situation it is essential to have accurate knowledge of the numbers of disabled people using different types of buildings, the nature of their disabilities and their corresponding capabilities with regard to effecting their escape in the event of an emergency. This paper describes a programme of work designed to obtain this essential information.
