Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide For People with Disabilities

WAY FINDING

Is There a Usable Circulation Path?

A circulation path is considered a usable circulation path if it meets one of the following criteria:

• A person with disabilities is able to travel unassisted through it to a public way.

• A person with disabilities is able to travel unassisted through that portion of the circulation path necessary to reach an area of refuge.

An area of refuge serves as a temporary haven from the effects of a fire or other emergency. A person with a severe mobility impairment must have the ability to travel from the area of refuge to the public way, although such travel might depend on the assistance of others. If elevation differences are involved, an elevator or other evacuation device might be used, or others might move the person by using a wheelchair carry on the stairs.

Special Note 1

People with limited mobility need to know if there is a usable circulation path from the building they are in. If there is not a usable circulation path, then their plans will require alternative routes and methods of evacuation to be put in place.

Which Circulation Paths Are Usable Circulation Paths?

Exits, other than main exterior exit doors that obviously and clearly are identifiable as exits, should be marked by approved signs that are readily visible from any direction of approach in the exit access.

Where not all circulation paths are usable by people with disabilities, the usable circulation path(s) should be clearly identified by the international symbol of accessibility:

Locations of exit signs and directional exit signs are specified by model codes. Usually the signs are placed above exit doors and near the ceiling.

Supplemental directional exit signs may be necessary to clearly delineate the route to the exit. Exit signs and directional exit signs should be located so they are readily visible and should contrast against their surroundings.

Special Note 2

People with limited mobility should be provided with some form of written directions, a brochure, or a map showing all directional signs to all usable circulation paths. For new employees and other regular users of the facility it may be practical to physically show them the usable circulation paths as well as provide them with written information. In addition, simple floor plans of the building that show the locations of and routes to usable circulation paths should be available and given to visitors with limited mobility when they enter the building. A large sign could be posted at each building entrance stating the availability of written directions or other materials and where to pick them up. Building security personnel, including those staffing entrance locations, should be trained in all the building evacuation systems for people with disabilities and be able to direct anyone to the nearest usable circulation path.

Which Paths Lead to Usable Circulation Paths?

Any circulation paths that are not usable should include signs directing people to other, usable paths. People with limited mobility should be provided with written directions, a brochure, or a map showing what those signs look like and where they are.

Special Note 3

Where such directional signs are not in place, people with limited mobility should be provided with written directions, a brochure, or a map showing the locations of all usable circulation paths.