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What are wheelchair-bound people to do when a building alarm disables elevators? (lemmy.sdf.org)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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We had a false alarm go off in the building where I work last week. The elevators automatically shut down forcing the use of the fire escapes. The building is 22 floors. I was lucky in that I’d just taken the elevator to the first floor to step outside on a break. When they finally let us back in, I wondered what someone with mobility issues is expected to do had the building been on fire. Just die? Have a kind soul carry them? With most people wfh at least a couple of days per week, this seems really dangerous for anyone who might get stranded.

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[–] [email protected] 124 points 3 months ago (14 children)

The building manager should (and may be legally required to) have a fire department approved emergency plan that specifically addresses this question. Usually, the plan will be for you to await rescue.

A modern, up-to-code high rise building will have designated "places of refuge" that are designed to withstand heat and smoke, such as a pressurized stairwell with fire doors. In older buildings that don't have something like that, the plan might call for disabled people to go to the nearest (unprotected) stairway, or it might call for them to remain in their office/apartment and "defend in place". If possible, call 911 (or equivalent) to notify rescuers of your location.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

places of refuge

Ohh so that’s what that means. I see those signs on the stairwells of my office building and wasn’t sure what it actually meant.

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