Protected Elevators and the Disabled.
Protected Elevators and the Disabled.
(239 K)
Bukowski, R. W.
Fire Protection Engineering, 42,44-46,48-49, Fall 2005.
Keywords:
elevators (lifts); handicapped; stairways; water; fire
fighters; egress; World Trade Center; evacuation; fire
protection; pressurization; occupants; sprinklers; fire
hoses
Abstract:
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in
1990 to provide equal access to public buildings for all
Americans. An objective of the ADA regulations was to
permit people with disabilities access to the places
where they live, work, and play with little thought of
how they would get out in case of emergency. Fifteen
years later, the fire protection engineering community
is still addressing this important issue.
The purpose of this article is to present the issues
that need to be addressed in the development of
elevators that can be used in fires to safely evacuate
occupants, particularly those with limited mobility that
affects their ability to use stairs. The ADA
accessibility requirements are intended to result in
public buildings that can be accessed and used by people
with a range of limitations including vision, hearing,
and mobility. The guidelines provide for signs that
include Braille markings, strobe lights and other
visible warnings, and doors with powered openers that
are wide enough for wheel-chairs. Smaller changes in
elevation require ramps or platform lifts that eliminate
barriers to wheelchair users.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899