Procedures for Emergency Evacuation

Emergency Evacuation Plans for students and staff requiring additional assistance

The university has a fire safety policy which includes emergency evacuation procedures. Please read the procedures below and carefully consider whether you might have difficulty complying with them. You have a duty to declare any foreseeable problems so that the university can consider making reasonable adjustments or alternative arrangements. If necessary a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) can be developed to identify and agree any alternative strategies to suit your needs.

Ground floor-

All people are expected to vacate the building and proceed to assembly points as per standard evacuation procedures. You will be expected to familiarise yourself with individual building arrangements, taking particular note of escape routes and final exits.  Guidance is contained on the fire action notices posted near to entrances.

Upper floors-

You will need to familiarise yourself with individual building arrangements. Each accessible floor has clearly designated Refuges. Refuges are places that have been identified as places of additional safety. Lifts must not be used in an emergency fire evacuation and, if you are unable to use stairs, you must make your way to, and remain at, the refuge until rescued by trained staff or emergency services. The rescue will be by use of an Evac-Chair and you will be required to transfer into this with the help of trained staff.

Please note, some newer buildings at Chichester Bishop Otter Campus (University House, Mitre Lecture Theatre, New Dance Studio, Bishop Story, Bishop Andrewes, Bishop Wilfred) have specially designed Fire Evacuation Elevators which can be used in a fire. These buildings do not therefore have Refuges and Evac chairs.

Further information on buildings and procedures and use of the Evac-chair is available. If you wish to receive this, or meet with a Disability Advisor and/or a Health and Safety Officer, please contact:

Disability Advisor on 01243 812076

or Health and Safety on 01243 816480 or 01243 816 488.

Updated November 2011.