Evacuation assembly points in multi storey buildings

[Vaishnavi Jayakumar]

We have been requesting Chennai Metro for a while to have a space (on same lines as the fire assembly points outside the building) where people with reduced mobility / blind can assemble for first responder rescue, given that lifts will not be functioning.

This would be ideally near a staircase and floor marked with evacuation chair and stretcher rescue device on wall brackets and infographic instructions with QR code adjacent. Would also be connected on the tactile path - perhaps a particular audio guidance (escalator type clicking?) could guide blind people to it.

This was the reminder received yesterday - ideally this feature should enter fire code.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/18/health/disability-la-fire-evacuations-wellness/index.html

[Sankara Raman Srinivasan]

Dear Vaishnavi, 

* Thank you for highlighting this important accessibility issue.

* This is a crucial point – we need to ensure buildings are safe for everyone.

* I agree, this should be incorporated into the fire code. 

With Regards,

S Sankara Raman
Promoter Co - Chairman and Secretary
Amar Seva Sangam
Ayikudy - 627852 Tamilnadu
Cell: 9944454170
E-mail id: secreta...@amarseva.org
Web: www.amarseva.org

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[MANJIRI PARASNIS]

All courts from taluka courts to supreme court and tribunals, competent authority should have hurdle free environment ..

[SC Vashishth]

Dear Vaishnavi!

True! This is often missed out, but we have it in the NBC clearly indicated. Will double check since it was moved from my draft to the fire chapter at the time of Code finalisation. Will see whether it retains the original requirements particularly of refuge areas, evacuation practices (frequent drills involving diverse users) as well as communication for all disabilities during such emergencies (communication for deaf and deafblind users - requiring use of  at least two senses principle) and well as circulation spaces, colour contrast of signs and height of various controls and evacuation chairs etc. Fire has been a primary challenge, of late, issues like flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes and covid like health emergencies have added complexities to be addressed in the practices and codes.

 

Warm regards,

Subhash Chandra Vashishth

Advocate, Specialist- Accessibility, Universal Design & Diversity Inclusion, CPABE Level 3, CPACC (IAAP)

Co-Founder & Director, Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment Foundation

Joint Secretary, National Association for the Blind (Delhi)

Country Advisor, India - G3ict / Smart Cities For All

Member- Standing Committee on Accessible Transportation and Mobility, TRB, USA

Mobile: +91-9811-125-521 |  email: subhashv...@gmail.com | in...@cabefoundation.com 

www.subhashvashishth.com  | www.cabefoundation.com | www.disabilityrightsindia.com 

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