Chantry Waters Resident's Fire Safety Information

How to Use the Safe Refuge

If you need to evacuate the building, and are unable to use the stairs, follow the guide below to use the Safe Refuge. Never use the lift in the event of a fire UNLESS directed to do so by the Fire Service.

If you think it likely that you may need to use this refuge in the event of a fire, please contact the building management so we can work with you to ensure your needs would be met in an emergency situation.

The image below contains a summary of how to use the Safe Refuges. Scroll down below the image for the full text of the procedure.

How to Use the Safe Refuge Only use a Safe Refuge if you are unable to evacuate via one of the staircases. There is a Safe Refuge on each floor in the lift lobby area. Call 999 and ask for the Fire Service. Give the FLOOR NUMBER and ADDRESS. Do not end the call until the Fire Service have repeated the address correctly. Go to the Safe Refuge and make sure ALL the fire doors leading into the refuge are closed. If the doors have not closed automatically. Press the switch on the magnetic hold-back. Go to the Green Emergency Call System mounted next to the lifts. Press the “CALL” button. Check the red “Status” light is on. Wait by the call system. Once the Firefighters arrive, they will respond to you through the emergency call system and give instructions. The left-hand lift is an emergency lift with back-up power which can be controlled by firefighters. NEVER ENTER THE LIFT DURING A FIRE - UNLESS FIREFIGHTERS INSTRUCT YOU TO DO SO. f the Safe Refuge becomes affected by heat. Use the water spray fire extinguisher to cool the affected wall or door. Put any wheelchair brakes on. Remove the pin. Point hose at the hot area / base of fire. Squeeze handle.

ADVICE ON EVACUATION OF THE DISABLED AND AGED PERSONS

  1. Evacuation lifts

    During a fire incident, once the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) is in attendance they will
    operate the lift override system to use the lifts themselves to access the fire. As a result, all
    lifts in the building to be used by the Fire and Rescue Service will return to the fire service
    access level and park. Once this happens, it will not be possible to call the lifts as they will
    be under the control of the Fire and Rescue Service.
    A suitable evacuation lift is provided, disabled people should make their way to the lift
    point and use the communication system to contact the lift operator and make them aware
    of which floor they are waiting on. In addition, there is also a refuge call point (adjacent to
    the evacuation lift) whereby the disabled person can contact the Fire Rescue Service
    Controller in order to tell them which floor they are waiting on.
    Fire-fighting lifts may be used in the early stage of the evacuation process in agreement
    with the local Fire and Rescue Service.
    In buildings where horizontal escape is used prior to exit in an ordinary lift, the instructions
    for horizontal escape should be followed first.

  2. Meet assistance at a refuge.

    Some disabled people will require assisted escape. In these cases it will be necessary to
    have a pre-arranged meeting place. If the disabled person is likely to move around the
    building, a means of communication will be necessary between the escape volunteer and
    the disabled person. They can then arrange to meet at a particular refuge point during the
    escape.

    People should never be left in a refuge point to wait for the Fire and Rescue Service. The
    refuge can be used as a safe resting place as well as a place to wait in a phased
    evacuation while the go-ahead for a full escape is established. The refuge is equipped with
    a suitable means of communication.

    Most refuges can accommodate only one wheelchair. This should not be a problem where
    there is more than one wheelchair user, provided that there is a suitable evacuation
    strategy in place. As one person progresses on their journey, the next person will take
    their place in the refuge. Fire compartmentation is also a form of refuge. The refuge may
    play a part in the disabled person’s escape journey.