Category Archives: Uncategorized

Egress Group Releases New Emergency Escape Mask Smoke Hood Icon

The Smoke Hood Icon is the Latest Pictogram for Evacuation and Emergency Planning

Emergency Escape Mask Smoke Hood Icon

Please read the Media Release announcing the launch of the new range of smoke hood designs. 

The design has been created to fill a gap internationally and to ensure a consistent approach can be adopted to identify these important safety devices.

During a building fire it is common for smoke to leak throughout the building (generally upwards) which may cause some parts of the building to fill with smoke, even though the fire is on another level.

We believe that everyone deserves a safe means of egress from a building during an emergency, including those that may face some extra challenges negotiating an egress route. Unfortunately, unless the building has an evacuation lift/elevator or smoke protected safe refuges this might mean that people who are unable to evacuate via a stairs might experience toxic smoke whilst they await assistance.

When discussing sprinkler protected and non-smoke protected refuge floors, the NFPA in the U.S has stated

“Yes, the area might become smoky or misty and be scary to a person who remains behind when most others have evacuated, but it is not dangerous”.

One could ask if it is acceptable to leave people at risk of breathing in toxic smoke, particularly for those that have respiratory conditions or are unable to get down below the smoke layer as the area becomes untenable.

Emergency Escape Mask Smoke Hood Icons 18 Different Colours

The Accessible Means of Egress Icon and Smoke Hood Icon are subject to Copyright© Egress Group Pty Ltd 2014-2015

 

Evacuation Guidebook Sponsorship Opportunities

Lee Wilson Disability Access Consultants

The Evacuation Guidebook

Over the past two years I’ve been researching the area of evacuation considerations for people with disability.

Evacuation Guidebook cover, Evacuation of People with Disability and Emergent Limitations, by Lee WilsonFollowing the initial review I released a Guidebook titled “Evacuation of People with Disability & Emergent Limitations: Considerations for Safer Buildings & Efficient Evacuations”.

Since the 1st edition release in July 2014 the Guide has been downloaded as a PDF document over 900 times and shared in countless workplaces around the world.

The Guide has also been featured in the International Fire Protection Magazine, both in the May 2015 printed magazine and on-line. The online article continues to link to the download page.

This Guide is now currently being updated and is due for re-release on 19 October 2015. This date will be a few days after the Association of Consultants in Access Australia Conference (7-9 October 2015). I am also presenting the Universal Design meets the Exit Sign White Paperat the…

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My Article in Issue 61 of International Fire Protection Magazine: Planning for Evacuating People with Disability

Gallery

Lee Wilson, Disability Access and Egress Consultant’s article in Issue 61 of International Fire Protection Magazine, published March 2015

Lee Wilson Disability Access Consultants

International Fire Protection March 2015 Lee Wilson Planning for Evacuating PWDLast year I was fortunate to have been asked to write an article for the Asia Pacific Fire Magazine, which I submitted for review late in the year. The article has now been published in the International Fire Protection Magazine.

You can now download a copy of the article by clicking the image above or this link

The following is an extract of the opening of the article:

A gap exists in many countries legislative framework relating to the evacuation of people with disability under disability discrimination, building and workplace safety laws. This gap exposes those members of the community with disability, particularly those with sensory or mobility disabilities to the risk of being delayed in their ability to evacuate a building or being entrapped within a building.

 In 1997 the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) acknowledged this gap and recognised the need to improve the provisions for…

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Accessible Exit Sign Project’s New Twitter and Google+ Accounts

Accessible Exit Sign Project

Hi everyone, just a quick post to let you know we finally setup a dedicated Twitter account and Google+ page for the Accessible Exit Sign Project. Please come follow the project there

Twitter

https://twitter.com/AccessibleExits

@AccessibleExits

Google+

https://plus.google.com/+Accessibleexitsignsproject/posts

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Accessible Exit Sign Project Fundraising Merchandise

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Accessible Exit Sign Project

Hi, we are excited to announce that there is a complete new range of t-shirts and hoodies available from Teespring.com

Accessible Exit Sign Project fundraiser shirts (40)

These have been made available to try to generate some funding for the project and help pay overheads (web hosting, domain name registrations, marketing, etc.).

If you feel like you’ll enjoy one of these shirts, please consider making a purchase. Thank you  (they’re available for a limited time ranging from 11 days to 26 days depending on design).

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GBC Safety Glow announced as supplier of Photo-Luminescent Accessible Exit Signs

Accessible Exit Sign Project

Media Release: New Partner – GBC Safety Glow

Our New Licensed Partner

GBC Safety Glow LogoWe would like to announce that GBC Safety Glow in the United States is now a licensed partner of the Accessible Exit Sign Project.

To get a PDF copy of this Media Release, dated 12 January 2015 click the link below;

Media Release 2 February 2015 Licensed Partner – GBC Safety Glow

The contact details for GBC Safety Glow are provided below:

GBC Safety Glow is a manufacturer of Photo-Luminescent products on a global scale. Manufactured in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, U.S with local people and state of the art technology. The company has built a reputation on providing quality products through quality people. The GBC Safety Glow team will assess your facilities needs with an onsite walk through anywhere in the U.S and abroad.  They will work directly…

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Braille Sign Supplies announced as an Australian Supplier of Accessible Exit Signs

Accessible Exit Sign Project

Media Release: New Partner – Braille Sign Supplies

Our New Licensed Partner

We would like to announce that Braille Sign Supplies in Australia is now a licensed partner of the Accessible Exit Sign Project.

To get a PDF copy of this Media Release, dated 12 January 2015 click the link below

Media Release 12 January 2015 Licensed Partner – Braille Sign Supplies

The contact details for Braille Sign Supplies are provided below:

Braille Sign Supplies LogoBraille Sign Supplies stocks a large range of fully compliant Braille Signs and also proudly manufactures custom Braille / Tactile signs to assist people who are vision impaired.

Using quality materials and superior craftsmanship, they offer fast delivery Australia-wide with a large range of Stock Braille Signs to choose from in their online store. They also offer their clients the opportunity to stand out…

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An Accessible Means of Egress

Lee Wilson Disability Access Consultants

Definition

An accessible means of egress has best been defined as a “continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel from any point in a building or facility that provides an accessible route to an area of refuge, a horizontal exit, or a public way”. I like to think of it as a way out for all occupants, regardless of their abilities.

Person using a Wheechair in Fire Refuge using Communications

Parts of an Accessible Means of Egress

The International Building Code 2009 says that there are key parts of an accessible means of egress, and these can include one or more of the following components:

  • Accessible routes, including horizontal exits, and ramps
  • Internal and external exit stairs
  • Evacuation lifts
  • Platform lifts
  • Refuge Areas

Australian Requirements

My book, “Evacuation of People with Disability & Emergent Limitations: Considerations for Safer Buildings & Efficient Evacuations” discusses this in detail. There are many issues that are not considered and are ultimately putting building…

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Exciting Media Release: New Licensed Partner – Safety Sign Sales Limited, Christchurch New Zealand

Accessible Exit Sign Project

Our New Licensed Partner

We would like to announce that Safety Sign Sales Limited in New Zealand is now a licensed partner of the Accessible Exit Sign Project.

Safety Signs Limited Wheelchair Disabled Accessible Exit Signs

To get a full PDF copy of this Media Release, dated 5 January 2015 click the link below

Media Release 5 January 2015 Licensed Partner – Safety Sign Sales Limited.

The contact details for Safety Sign Sales Limited are provided below:

Safety Sign Sales Limited is New Zealand’s leading supplier of Safety Signs to schools, industry, small and large businesses.

Safety Sign Sales has been creating and distributing signs both to the retail sector and the wholesale sector for over 20 years. They also proudly support a network of local Christchurch businesses to create their extensive range of signs.

We would like to take this opportunity…

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The Social Model of Disability ‘v’ The Medical Model

Lee Wilson Disability Access Consultants

I read an interesting article by Jarrod Marrinon on the Ramp Up website recently.  Jarrod discusses the ‘social model of disability’ and says that it is time to “leave the medical model of disability in the doctor’s room”. 

The timing of the article (17 June 2014) couldn’t have been any more coincidental as I was finalizing the draft of my book on evacuation considerations for people with disability and was tweaking up this section at the time.

I thought I’d share this extract of my book discussing the social model of disability prior to the official release in the next couple of days.

Evacuation of People with Disability and Emergent Limitations:

Considerations for Safer Buildings and Efficient Evacuations

Section 1.9 The Social Model of Disability

There has always been a tendency within society to ‘dis-enable’ people with disability.

Throughout history, people with disability have been ignored, hidden and cursed. When made…

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