Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide For People with Disabilities

Chapter 4 BUILDING AN EVACUATION PLAN FOR A PERSON WHO IS DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

OCCUPANT NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS

Visual Devices for the Fire Alarm System

People who are deaf or hard of hearing cannot hear alarms and voice announcements that warn of danger and the need to evacuate. Many codes require new buildings to have flashing strobe lights (visual devices) as part of the standard building alarm system, but because the requirements are not retroactive many buildings don’t have them. In addition, strobes are required only on fire alarm systems and simply warn that there may be a fire. Additional information that is provided over voice systems for a specific type of emergency such as a threatening weather event, or that directs people to use a specific exit, are unavailable to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

It is extremely important for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to know what, if any, visual notification systems are in place. They also need to be aware of which emergencies will activate the visual notification system and which emergencies will not. Alternative methods of notification need to be put into the emergency evacuation plans for people who are deaf or hard of hearing so they can get all the information they need to evacuate in a timely manner.

Devices or Methods for Notification of Other Emergencies

The following is a partial list of emergencies that should be considered in the development of alternative warning systems:

• Natural events

  • Storms (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, snow, lightning, hail, etc.)

  • Earthquakes (Although a system would provide only a few seconds’ notice, it may lessen anxiety and prevent panic.)

• Human-caused events (robbery, hostile acts, random violence, etc.)

Special Note 9

Scrolling reader boards are becoming more common and are being applied in creative ways. In emergency situations, they can flash to attract attention and provide information about the type of emergency or situation. Some major entertainment venues use this technology to provide those who are deaf or hard of hearing with “closed captioning” at every seat, for very little cost. A reversed scrolling reader board is mounted in the back of the room. Guests who are deaf or hard of hearing are provided with small teleprompter-type screens mounted on small stands. The guests place the stands directly in front of themselves and adjust the screens so they can see the reader board reflected off the screens. The screens are transparent, so they don’t block the view of guests behind the screen users.

If a person who is deaf or hard of hearing is likely to be in one location for a significant period of time, such as at a desk in an office, installation of a reader board in the work area might be considered to provide appropriate warning in an emergency.

Personal notification devices are also coming on the market. Such devices can be activated in a number of ways, including having a building’s alarm system relay information to the device. Information can be displayed in a variety of forms and outputs.

E-mail and TTY phone communications are other alternative methods of notification for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Another option is the use of televisions in public and working areas with the closed caption feature turned on. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offices in Washington D.C. use this technology.

WAY FINDING

Is Prior Knowledge of the Circulation Path Location(s) Necessary?

No Special Requirements. Once properly notified by appropriate visual notification devices of an alarm or special instructions, people who are deaf or hard of hearing can use any standard means of egress from the building.

Is Identification of Which Means of Egress Are Available/Closest Necessary?

No Special Requirements. Once notified, people who are deaf or hard of hearing can use any standard means of egress from the building.

Simple floor plans of the building indicating the location of and routes to usable circulation paths should be available in alternative formats such as single-line, high-contrast plans. These plans should be given to visitors when they enter the building so they can find the exits in an emergency. Signs in alternative formats should be posted at the building entrances stating the availability of the floor plans and where to pick them up. Building security personnel, including those staffing the entrances, should be trained in all accessible building evacuation systems and be able to direct anyone to the nearest usable circulation path.

Is Identification of the Path(s) to the Means of Egress Necessary?

No Special Requirements. Once notified, people who are deaf or hard of hearing can read and follow standard exit and directional signs.

USE OF THE WAY

No Special Requirements. Once notified, people who are deaf or hard of hearing can read and follow standard exit and directional signs and use any standard means of egress from the building.

Elevators are required to have both a telephone and an emergency signaling device. People with hearing or speech impairments should be aware of whether the telephone is limited to voice communications and where the emergency signaling device rings — whether it connects or rings inside the building or to an outside line — and who would be responding to it.

IS ASSISTANCE REQUIRED?

No Special Requirements. Once notified, many people who are deaf or hard of hearing can read and follow standard exit and directional signs and use any standard means of egress from the building. However, some may need assistance in areas of low light or no light where their balance could be affected without visual references.