Safety Policies and Procedures Manual
Chapter 8: Fire Safety

Evacuation of Persons with Disabilities

SPPM 8.27

For more information contact:
   See Section 3.1

1.0  Policy and Applicability

Persons with disabilities and persons who work or live in proximity to persons with disabilities must plan for emergency evacuation in the event of a fire or other emergency. This section provides:

  • Requirements and guidelines for evacuating persons with disabilities (see Section 2.2: During an Emergency).
  • Guidelines and requirements for preparing for emergency evacuations of persons with disabilities (see Section 2.3: Preparation for Emergencies).

2.0  Requirements

2.1    Training

The responsible department must provide training and education addressing emergency procedures for persons with disabilities and other students, faculty, and staff who reside and work in proximity to persons with disabilities. The campus emergency management departments, in coordination with the campus public safety departments coordinate such training. (See Section 3.1 for applicable campus contacts.) This training is to be done in person but may include training aids, e.g., online resources. The WSU Fire Safety and Compliance Officer (FSCO) provides information concerning emergency procedures for persons with disabilities. (See also SPPM 2.40 regarding first aid training.)

Hiring units should instruct new and existing employees to inform their supervisors and Human Resource Services (HRS) Disability Services if they become disabled, even temporarily, so that evacuation procedures can be reviewed. (See also Section 2.3.a.) Supervisors and co-workers should become familiar with their responsibilities in ensuring such employees are properly accommodated during an evacuation or emergency. (See Section 2.3.b.)

2.2    During an Emergency

In an evacuation emergency (e.g., fire, gas leak, chemical spill), all building occupants are to proceed outside to a designated emergency assembly area. Persons who are unable to evacuate are to proceed to locations of safety located in the building (see Section 2.3.d: Locations of Safety). Note: Facilities with designated and signed areas of refuge meet the requirements for having locations of safety.

Locations of safety are wheelchair-accessible places on each floor of University buildings. Identifying signs are located at each door providing access to the locations. (See 2.3.d.ii regarding signage requirements.)

During an emergency, methods must be implemented to check on people with disabilities and support needs. Take affirmative steps to assist those previously identified as requiring assistance. See Section 2.3.a.

People with disabilities may require assistance from other occupants and/or fire personnel to exit safely. An individual who can safely assist a person with a disability is encouraged to do so. Employees may be assigned duties requiring that they assist people with disabilities evacuate during an emergency or drill.

Always ask someone with a disability how you can help before attempting any rescue technique or giving assistance. Ask how he or she can best be assisted or moved, and whether there are any special considerations or items that need to come with the person (see Section 2.2.d: Assistance Considerations).

2.2.a    Do Not Use Elevators

In the event of an emergency notification to evacuate, evacuees must not use building elevators. Elevator access areas are signed, “In Case of Fire Do Not Use Elevator, Use Stairway.” In most University buildings, upon activation of the fire alarm system, the elevators are called to the ground or alternate floor (usually one floor above or below the primary floor). Elevators are thus available for fire department use only.

2.2.b    Stairwells

Stairwells are the safest means of escape if free from smoke, flames, or toxic gases.

2.2.c    If Unable to Evacuate

Evacuees must seek a location of safety if exits or stairwells are unusable due to smoke, flame, or gases, and the person with a disability is unable to exit safely. Public Safety advises persons able to use the exit stairway to do so as soon as possible unless they are assisting others (see Section 2.3.d: Location of Safety).

2.2.c.i   Notify Police or Fire Personnel

Evacuees must notify police or fire personnel immediately of any people remaining in the building and their locations.

Police or fire personnel determine where people are, decide whether they are safe in that location, and evacuate them as necessary. The WSU FSCO or the local area fire department may override the rule against using elevators in order to evacuate people.

2.2.d    Assistance Considerations
2.2.d.i   Blind or Low Vision

The following special considerations apply to assisting persons with blindness or low vision:

  • Do not grasp the person’s arm. Ask if they would like to hold onto your arm as you exit, especially if there is debris or a crowd.
  • Give verbal instructions about the evacuation route using estimated distances and directional terms (e.g., twenty feet forward, turn right).
  • Give other verbal instructions or information (e.g., elevators cannot be used, any obstacles).
2.2.d.ii  Deaf or Hard of Hearing

The following special considerations apply to assisting persons who are deaf or hard of hearing:

  • Get the person’s attention by touch and eye contact. Clearly state the problem. Gestures and pointing are helpful, but be prepared to write a brief statement if the person does not seem to understand.
  • Offer visual instructions to advise of safest route or direction by pointing toward exits or evacuation maps.
 2.2.d.iii    Mobility and Physical Disabilities

The following special considerations apply to assisting persons with mobility and physical disabilities:

  • Clear the exit route if necessary to enable the person to move to a safer area.
  • Move to a location of safety, e.g., a classroom, an office with the door shut, if unable to exit from the building (see Section 2.3.d: Location of Safety).
  • If the person is in immediate danger and cannot be moved to a location of safety to wait for assistance, evacuate them using an evacuation chair (see Section 2.3.c) or a carry technique, as needed.
2.2.e    Rescue Evacuation

Attempt a rescue evacuation only if you have had rescue training or the person is in immediate danger and cannot wait for professional assistance.

2.2.f     Power Outage

If a power outage occurs during the day, people may choose to wait in the building for electricity to be restored.

People staying in the building during a power outage are to:

  • Move near a window where there is natural light and access to a working telephone.
  • During regular building hours, notify the safety committee so committee members can advise emergency personnel.
2.2.f.i    Pullman Campus

If a power outage occurs during the day or night and people with disabilities would like to leave, call the Whitman County Communications Center (WHITCOM) at 911 from a campus telephone or cellular telephone.

Note: Some multi-button campus telephones may not operate during a power outage. Single-line telephones and cellular telephones are likely to be operating.

2.2.f.ii   Campuses Other than Pullman

If a power outage occurs during the day and people with disabilities would like to leave, or if the power outage occurs at night, call the campus emergency response telephone number for assistance.

Note: Some multi-button campus telephones may not operate during a power outage. Single-line telephones and cellular telephones are likely to be operating.

2.2.g    Smoke

If smoke begins to invade the location of safety, occupants should attempt to cover cracks or openings around doors, windows, and other openings, e.g., ventilation grills and utility penetrations, with cloth (preferably wet) or duct tape if possible. If smoke continues to invade, occupants should place a cloth (preferably wet) over the mouth and nose to filter smoke and to improve air exchange.

If possible, an occupant of a location of safety should hang an article of cloth out of the window to identify the location to rescuers.

Location of safety occupants should not panic. Help will arrive!

2.2.h    Priorities

The first fire engine and personnel immediately begin to fight the fire. If the fire is extinguished, the danger is quickly mitigated. If the fire continues to grow, the danger escalates.

Subsequently-arriving fire companies conduct necessary rescue activities.

2.3    Preparation for Emergencies

2.3.a    Identifying Who May Need Assistance

Departments or units may create voluntary, confidential lists of individuals with disabilities who may need assistance in emergencies and the specific types of assistance they may require. Such information helps ensure that the departments or units:

  • Are aware of the individuals who may need assistance;
  • Have the necessary equipment and resources to evacuate them; and
  • Have discussed alternatives with those individuals.

See also Sections 2.1, 2.3.b, 2.3.c, and 2.3.d.

2.3.b    Assistance Volunteers

Departments may choose to establish a “buddy system.” Using a buddy system, people with disabilities arrange for volunteers (co-workers/ neighbors) to alert them and assist them in an emergency.

2.3.c    Evacuation Chairs

An evacuation chair is a device designed to enable a single person to easily move a mobility-impaired passenger down stairs with full control of the descent. The open-sided design allows a person with limited mobility to transfer from a wheelchair to the evacuation chair.

Local fire departments may encourage the purchase and use of evacuation chairs, or prefer to utilize fire-department-owned equipment when evacuating mobility-impaired persons. Departments may contact the WSU FSCO or campus emergency management, security, or public safety office (see Section 3.1) to determine whether evacuation chairs are recommended for the location.

Work units electing to purchase evacuation chairs may do so in accordance with University purchasing procedures (see BPPM Chapter 70). Store each chair near where persons may require evacuation assistance. Place signs clearly indicating the chair storage location.

Work units may choose to coordinate with other units located in the same building to purchase evacuation chairs. University central administration recommends at least one evacuation chair be located in each building, with more purchased as needed.

2.3.d    Location of Safety

In most cases, a location of safety (also referred to as an area of refuge) is used for persons with disabilities who are not able to evacuate the building. However, depending on the type of emergency, this location may be used for all people occupying a particular floor within a building. Each work unit is to designate at least one wheelchair-accessible location of safety on each floor of the building the unit occupies.

Exception: Locations of safety are not required for floors with ground-level exits.

A work unit may choose to coordinate with other units located on the same floor in a building to designate locations of safety. University central administration recommends that units designate a primary and secondary location of safety on each floor above the ground floor to provide as much temporary safety as possible.

For assistance with determining the locations of safety in a building, contact the WSU FSCO or the local area fire department for a building survey.

2.3.d.i   Physical Requirements

Locations of safety are to:

  • Be located on each floor without a ground-level exit.
  • Have direct access to a stairway.
  • Be sized to accommodate at least one wheelchair space, not less than 30 inches by 48 inches.

    Note: Wheelchair spaces must not reduce the required exit width or interfere with access to or use of fire department hose connections and valves.

  • Have a closed door to keep smoke and flames out until the fire department arrives.

    It is preferred that each location of safety be separated from the remainder of the story by a smoke barrier having at least a one-hour fire-resistance rating.

  • Be provided with a two-way communication system such as a working public telephone or a cell phone.
2.3.d.ii  Signage Requirements

Units must identify each location of safety, regardless of placement within the building, with a sign stating: Location of Safety or Area Of Refuge. The international symbol of accessibility and tactile signage are to be included on the sign. The sign is to be located at each door providing access to the location of safety.

Units are to post instructions on the emergency use of the location. The instructions must include all of the following:

  • Directions to other exits.
  • Recommendation to persons able to use the exit stairway to do so as soon as possible, unless they are assisting others.
  • Information on stairway assistance or supervised operation of elevators. Include instructions for summoning such assistance.
  • Directions for use of the emergency communications system.
2.3.d.iii    Administrative Notification

To facilitate the evacuation of persons with disabilities, units are to notify the following administrative personnel or groups of the location of chosen locations of safety, as indicated:

2.3.d.iii (A)    WSU Everett

WSU Everett work units are to notify the WSU Everett Emergency Management Building and Grounds Supervisor.

WSU Everett Emergency Management reviews and finalizes this information with the Everett Fire Department and submits the chosen locations to the Space Allocation Manager, Facilities Services, Capital.

2.3.d.iii (B)    WSU Pullman

WSU Pullman work units are to notify the Space Allocation Manager, Facilities Services, Capital, of the locations of safety on each floor above the ground level in buildings the units occupy.

The Space Allocation Manager reviews and submits this information to the WSU FSCO.

2.3.d.iii (C)    WSU Spokane

WSU Spokane work units are to contact the WSU Spokane Security Office; telephone 509-358-7995 or #40; or the local police department to determine the locations of safety on each floor above the ground level in buildings the units occupy.

The WSU Spokane Security Office reviews and finalizes this information with the Spokane Fire Department. The Security Office notifies the Space Allocation Manager, Facilities Services, Capital, of the chosen locations of safety.

2.3.d.iii (D)    WSU Tri-Cities

WSU Tri-Cities work units are to contact WSU Tri-Cities Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) or the Richland Fire and Emergency Services department to determine the locations of safety on each floor above the ground level in buildings the units occupy.

WSU Tri-Cities EHS reviews and finalizes this information with City of Richland Fire and Emergency Services and submits the chosen locations of safety to the Space Allocation Manager, Facilities Services, Capital.

2.3.d.iii (E)    WSU Vancouver

WSU Vancouver work units are to notify WSU Vancouver Public Safety of the locations of safety on each floor above the ground level in buildings the units occupy.

WSU Vancouver Public Safety reviews and finalizes this information with the Clark County Fire Department and submits the chosen locations of safety to the Space Allocation Manager, Facilities Services, Capital.

2.3.d.iii (F)    Research and Extension Centers and Units

Research and extension centers/units are to notify the Director of Operations, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), of the locations of safety on each floor above the ground level in buildings the units occupy.

The Director of Operations, CAHNRS, gathers and submits this information to the Space Allocation Manager, Facilities Services, Capital. The Space Allocation Manager reviews and submits this information to the local area fire departments.

3.0  Resources

3.1    Campus Contacts

For assistance, contact the following campus departments, as applicable:

Departments and individuals at WSU locations other than those listed above may contact WSU Pullman Emergency Management for training information.

3.2    Reference Websites

Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division ADA (Americans with Disabilities) Emergency Planning website

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Emergency Evacuation website

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Revisions:  July 2024 (Rev. 145); Oct. 2005 (Rev. 62); Mar. 2003 (Rev. 48); Nov. 1994 – new policy (Rev. 12).