G.1 Refuges

COMMENTARY ON G.1

a) Purpose:

Refuges provide a temporary safe location for people who may need assistance during evacuation due to impairments. They should be protected from fire effects until evacuation or assistance can be provided.

b) Protection:

Refuges should be in fire-resisting areas or protected by smoke control systems (e.g., smoke extraction, reservoirs). They can also be located in open, protected areas like rooftops or balconies.

c) Integration:

The placement of refuges and wheelchair spaces should not hinder the overall means of escape.

d) Safety:

Refuges should be safe for the time needed to complete evacuation. They are temporary areas, not places for long-term waiting or rescue.

e) Location:

· Refuges should be accessible within fire-protected stairwells or areas, in line with escape flow.

· They should be provided on every floor, near protected stairways and final exits leading to external stairs.

f) Accessibility: Each refuge should include space accessible to wheelchair users.

NOTE 1 These provisions do not apply to:

· storeys providing level access directly to a final exit;

· storeys consisting exclusively of plant rooms.

NOTE 2” Storey” includes any open areas to which the public or staff have access, such as a roof garden.

a) Size: Refuges should be at least 900 mm × 1,400 mm to accommodate and maneuver a wheelchair.

b) Door Width: Must have a clear opening of at least 850 mm.

c) Corridor Width: Should follow the width requirements outlined in 16.6.2.

d) Capacity: Typically designed for one wheelchair user per refuge.

e) Assessment: If a building has a high proportion of disabled users or groups of wheelchair users, assess if more or larger refuges are needed.

NOTE 3 Managers of sporting or other venues where a number of disabled people might be present are advised not to restrict the number of disabled people who can be admitted to that venue on the grounds of the size of refuges, since some disabled people who use mobility aids such as a wheelchair will be able to

self-evacuate in the case of a real fire. Specific guidance on sports facilities is given in the Sport England publication Access for disabled people [93].

a) Alternative Locations: Refuges can be provided in protected lobbies, corridors, or rooms adjacent to stairways if a refuge at the stair head isn’t feasible.

b) Escape Route Width: Wheelchair spaces should not reduce the width of the escape route.

c) Access: In protected stairways, wheelchair spaces should not obstruct the escape route or flow of persons.

NOTE 4 The principles for the provision of wheelchair spaces within protected stairways are shown in Figure G.1.

NOTE 5 Figure G.2 and Figure G.3 illustrate examples of refuges and routes of escape from a fire. In a building where there is fire-resisting separation across the storey, this creates two compartments, each of which constitutes a refuge from a fire in the other. An example of such an arrangement is shown in Figure G.2c) for buildings without evacuation lifts, and in Figure G.3c) for buildings with evacuation lifts. In Figure G.2a) and Figure G.2b), the protected stairways or lobbies serve as refuges. In many buildings such spaces are formed as part of the design and construction process. Figure G.3a) and Figure G.3c) show examples of arrangements where the lobby has separate access to two compartments and provides a refuge from each. If the lobby becomes untenable before the lift arrives, safe access to the stairway remote from the fire is possible. If the position of the fire is such that it is not possible to enter the lift lobby, then either the other compartment [Figure G.3c)] or the stairway [Figure G.3a)] provides a refuge.

Location: Ideally, an evacuation lift should be near a protected stairway.

Alternative Arrangement: If not near a stairway, ensure safe access from the refuge to the stairway.

NOTE 6 It is acceptable to have a refuge in a staircase requiring only single-door protection for means of escape purposes, provided that the refuge space meets minimum dimensions.

a) Refuge Location and Size:

Provide refuges of sufficient size to accommodate a wheelchair and allow maneuvering (minimum 900 mm × 1,400 mm).
Ensure door width has a clear opening of at least 850 mm; corridor width should meet specific standards.
Refuges should accommodate at least one wheelchair user; assess need for larger or additional refuges based on building use.

b) Positioning:

Refuges should ideally be located at the head of a stairway or within protected lobbies, corridors, or rooms adjacent to the stairway.
If a refuge is within a protected stairway, it should not obstruct the escape route or reduce the width of the escape route.

c) Evacuation Lift:

An evacuation lift should be near a protected stairway but must ensure safe access from the refuge to a stairway.

d) Communication and Systems:

Establish procedures for independent communication between occupants and evacuation management.
Refuges in pressurized stairs should conform to BS EN 12101-6:2005.
Provide an emergency voice communication system in accordance with BS 5839-9:2011, using type B outstations connected to a master station in the control room or another suitable control point.

Figure G.1 Wheelchair spaces in protected stairways

Figure G.2 Examples G.2 Examples of refuges in buildings not provided evacuation lifts (1 of 2)

Figure G.2 Examples o refuges in buildings not provided with evacuation lifts (2 of 2)

Figure G.3 Examples of refuges in buildings provided with evacuation lifts (1 of 2)

Figure G.3 Examples of refuges in buildings provided with evacuation lifts (2 of 2)

G.2 Evacuation lifts

G.2.1 General

Where a lift is part of the evacuation sequence for people requiring assistance, it should be an evacuation lift.

NOTE 1 Where an evacuation lift is used, it is expected that the evacuation will be assisted by an authorized person(s) (see also G.2.3).

a) General Requirements:

· Should be available for evacuation purposes and ideally used as a routine passenger lift.

· Must comply with BS EN 81-20 and BS EN 81-70 standards.

b) Location and Enclosure:

· Situated within a protected enclosure, including a lift well and protected lobbies at each storey.

· Should be connected to a protected route leading to a final exit.

· Must be associated with a refuge and clearly identified.

c) Control and Operation:

· Equipped with a switch marked “Evacuation Lift” near the lift landing door at the final exit level.

· The switch should operate the lift as required for evacuation purposes.

NOTE 2 Unauthorized operations of the switch may be prevented by the use of a key-operated switch or by placing the switch in a glass-fronted box.

a) Priority Use:

· Evacuation lifts should prioritize assisting people requiring evacuation.

· Lift usage for general occupants should be restricted to alternative vertical circulation routes.

b) Power Supply:

· Secondary or alternative power supplies for evacuation lifts should focus on assisting people, potentially limiting capacity and endurance for other uses.

c) Firefighters Lifts:

· Firefighters’ lifts may be used to aid evacuation before the fire service arrives if:

· The lift is part of a fire-fighting shaft with properly configured refuges.

· The lift meets the required standards (G.2.3).

· Consult with the local fire authority before implementing such a strategy.

G.2.2 Power supplies

a) Primary Electrical Supply:

· Use a dedicated sub-main circuit for the evacuation lift, separate from other circuits.

· Other lifts in the same well can share the supply if it’s adequately sized and isolated from faults affecting the evacuation lift.

b) Alternative Power Supply:

· Provide an alternative supply to ensure continued lift operation:

· Secondary Power Supply: Generator or separate utility, following BS 8519.

· Separate Circuit: Directly from the main supply in a fire-protected enclosure, with compliance to BS 8519. Include an automatic rescue device to move the lift to an adjacent storey in case of power failure.

c) Cable and Circuit Protection:

· Separate cables for primary and secondary supplies, routed through low fire-risk areas or physically protected.

· Clearly label power switches and isolators.

· Follow BS 8519 for cable specification, routing, and fire protection.

d) Battery Inverters:

· Not recommended unless they meet requirements:

· Operate the lift at normal speed.

· Sufficient capacity for required cycles, including rescue and evacuation.

e) Fire Protection:

· Protect all relevant equipment (e.g., substations, generators) from fire for a duration matching the structural fire protection of the lift installation.

G.2.3 Control and operation of evacuation lifts

a) Lift Operation on Fire Signal:

· On activation of the “Evacuation Lift” switch or fire detection signal:

· Isolate car and landing controls.

· Return the lift to the final exit level.

· Park with doors open.

b) Post-Activation Operation:

· After reaching the final exit level:

· Re-enable car controls.

· Operate lift only in response to car controls.

· Ensure the communication system is functional.

c) Use of Lift:

· Transport individuals only to levels where assistance is needed.

d) Staff Requirements:

· Designate competent staff (and deputies) to manage the evacuation lift.

· Ensure staff can perform duties efficiently during occupancy.

e) Evacuation Procedure:

· Begin evacuation at the first warning of fire.

· In two-stage warning systems, start on the “alert” or “first-stage” alarm.

f) Communication System:

· Provide an emergency voice communication system (except in two-storey buildings):

· Identify locations where assistance is needed.

· Relay information to lift operators or firefighters.

· Reassure those waiting that assistance is coming.

NOTE 1 Communication systems recommended for firefighter’s lifts (see 20.4) are not sufficient for an evacuation lift.

a) Cabling and Power Supply:

· Use fire-protected cabling, potentially within the lift well.

· Ensure a back-up power supply or secondary feed for the communication system.

b) Staff Responsibilities:

· Designated Operators:

· Operate the evacuation lift switch.

· Determine fire location and storeys with people needing assistance.

· Control the lift and move people to the final exit level.

· Additional Duties:

· Ensure people requiring assistance move to the nearest refuge.

· Inform the lift operator of waiting individuals.

c) Evacuation Order:

· Typically evacuate in this order:

· Fire floor.

· Floor above the fire floor.

· Floors above, starting from the top.

· All remaining floors.

· Adjust based on actual fire conditions if necessary.

d) Final Exit Level:

· Provide assistance to passengers disembarking from the lift.

· Ensure rapid evacuation and prevent congestion at exits.

e) Contingency for Lift Failure:

· Use stairways if the lift fails to arrive or is obstructed.

· Determine and practice the best method for negotiating stairs.

NOTE 2 If the lift itself remains safe to use it might only be necessary to descend to the storey below using the stairway and from there continue the descent by lift.

a) Briefing on Arrival:

· The officer in charge from the fire and rescue service should be briefed by the designated evacuation coordinator.

· Information to include:

· Position and circumstances of the fire.

· Progress of the evacuation.

b) Subsequent Priorities:

· Use of evacuation lifts and firefighters lifts should be determined by the fire and rescue service.

G.3 Construction of refuges and evacuation lift enclosures

NOTE The construction of enclosures to fire fighters lifts is covered in 20.4.

G.3.1 Fire resistance

a) Fire Resistance Duration:

· Recommended period of fire resistance is not less than 30 minutes.

b) Fire Resistance for Specific Elements:

· Load-bearing Walls:

· Must have equal fire resistance for load-bearing capacity, integrity, and insulation from both sides.

· Uninsulated glazed elements are allowed as per specific provisions.

· Non-load-bearing Walls and Partitions:

· Must have equal fire resistance for integrity and insulation from both sides.

· Uninsulated glazed elements are allowed as per specific provisions.

· Doors:

· Must have equal fire resistance for integrity from both sides, except:

· Lift Wells: Fire resistance needed only on the landing side.

· External Escape Routes: Fire resistance needed from the inside.

G.3.2 Glazed elements

a) Glazed elements with integrity and insulation fire resistance: Can be used without restriction if they match the fire resistance level of the surrounding structure.

b) Glazed elements with integrity-only fire resistance: Can only be used as vision panels where required by legislation.

G.3.3 Fire doors

a) General Fire Doors:

Must comply with standard 32.1.
Must include self-closing devices.

b) Doors Protecting Refuges or Evacuation Lift Enclosures (excluding lift landing doors):

FD 30S: Tested to BS 476-22.
E30 Sa: Classified according to BS EN 13501-2.

c) Lift Landing Doors to Evacuation Lifts:

FD 30: Tested to BS 476-22.
E30: Classified according to BS EN 13501-2 or BS EN 81-58.

G.3.4 Hold-open systems

Hold-open devices for refuges and evacuation lift enclosures should be in accordance with

Annex G (normative) Recommendations for refuges and evacuation lifts

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