Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide For People with Disabilities

SUMMARY

The NFPA Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities has been developed with input from NFPA’s Disability Access Review and Advisory Committee and others in the disability community to provide general information on this important topic. In addition to providing information on the five general categories of disabilities (mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, speech impairments, and cognitive impairments), the Guide outlines the four elements of evacuation information that occupants need: notification, way finding, use of the way, and assistance. Also included is a Personal Emergency Evacuation Planning Checklist that building services managers and people with disabilities can use to design a personalized evacuation plan. The annexes give government resources and text based on the relevant code requirements and ADA criteria.

OVERVIEW

The NFPA Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities was developed in response to the emphasis that has been placed on the need to properly address the emergency procedure needs of the disability community. This Guide addresses the needs, criteria, and minimum information necessary to integrate the proper planning components for the disabled community into a comprehensive evacuation planning strategy. This Guide is available to everyone in a free, downloadable format from the NFPA website, http://www.nfpa.org/disabilities.

Additionally, a link is available for users of the Guide to provide comments or changes that should be considered for future editions. It is anticipated that the content will be updated annually or more frequently, as necessary, to recognize new ideas, concepts, and technologies.

While building codes in the United States have continuously improved, containing requirements that reduce damage and injury to people and property by addressing fire sprinklers, fire-resistive construction materials, and structural stability, equally important issues such as energy efficiency, protection of heritage buildings, and accessibility are relatively recent subjects that we’ve begun to address in codes.

NFPA's International Operations Department works to develop and increase global awareness of NFPA, its mission, and expertise by promoting worldwide use of NFPA's technical and educational information. Our international offices, covering the Asia/Pacific region, Europe, and Latin America, work to advance the use and adoption of NFPA codes and standards throughout their territories. International staff work closely with government and industry officials, develop and host educational programs, and represent NFPA at seminars and conferences with the aim to improve fire, building, and life safety around the world.

NFPA offers its international members access to the latest fire, building, electrical, and life safety codes and standards. A number of NFPA codes are translated into different languages. NFPA maintains a large presence in Latin America, having established NFPA Chapters in Argentina, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela and offers training seminars in Spanish throughout the region. Additionally, NFPA’s International Operations publishes the NFPA Journal Latinoamericano^®, a bilingual fire and life safety magazine in Spanish and Portuguese.

Many newer buildings are constructed as “accessible” or “barrier free” to allow people with disabilities ready access. Equally important is how building occupants with a variety of disabilities are notified of a building emergency, how they respond to a potentially catastrophic event, whether or not appropriate features or systems are provided to assist them during an emergency, and what planning and operational strategies are in place to help ensure “equal egress” during an emergency.

Visual as well as audible fire alarm system components, audible/directional-sounding alarm devices, areas of refuge, stair-descent devices, and other code-based technologies clearly move us in the right direction to address those issues. This Guide is a tool to provide assistance to people with disabilities, employers, building owners and managers, and others as they develop emergency evacuation plans that integrate the needs of people with disabilities and that can be used in all buildings, old and new. The Guide includes critical information on the operational, planning, and response elements necessary to develop a well-thought-out plan for evacuating a building or taking other appropriate action in the event of an emergency. All people regardless of circumstances have some obligation to be prepared to take action during an emergency and to assume responsibility for their own safety.

About NFPA: Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, and property and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy, and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission.

Contact: This Guide was prepared by NFPA staff. Contact Allan B. Fraser, Senior Building Code Specialist, with comments and suggestions at afraser@nfpa.org or 617-984-7411.