Fire alarms and mobility-impaired persons

For the purpose of an emergency evacuation, a person who is unable to ascend or descend a flight of stairs without considerable effort or who may slow other occupants that are attempting to evacuate is considered mobility impaired. The definition includes but is not limited to person(s) who may have a physical or medical condition, use wheelchairs or other devices to assist their mobility.

If there is no immediate danger and to avoid possible injury, a mobility impaired person should not be evacuated immediately. In the vast majority of fire alarms and building evacuations, it is safer for a mobility impaired person to remain near the emergency exit instead of attempting to evacuate.

During a fire alarm

1. Proceed to the nearest, identified emergency stairwells; do not use elevators or escalators.
   
2. Await the assistance of Emergency Response Team members, Security or volunteers.
   
3. If alone, use the red, firefighter phone, located next to the emergency stairwell to alert Security of your location, someone will be sent to you.
   
4. In the presence of smoke, or other danger, move inside the stairwell.

Most emergency stairwells are pressurized and equipped with fire-resistant doors that keep smoke and fire out of the stairwell.

If it becomes necessary to evacuate

1. Use an available Evac-chair. Using wheelchairs or carrying someone is not recommended.
2. Evac-chairs should be used by no less than two rescuers.
3. Evacuate to a safe location, ideally the next safe floor.
4. Advise security of your new location by using the red firefighter phone.

Be prepared

Mobility impaired persons should, in anticipation of an emergency, team up with at least two co-workers or classmates who will accompany and assist with their evacuation during an emergency.

Evac-chairs may be located at the top, bottom, or the middle of a stairwell. The following buildings are equipped with Evac-chairs:

• SGW: EV, FB, GM, H, LB
  
• LOY: CJ, SP, VE-VL