How Do People with Disabilities Consider Fire Safety and Evacuation Possibilities in Historical Buildings?

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore how evacuation safety in historical buildings can be improved for people with various disabilities. Accounts of real experiences on how well evacuation routes in historical buildings are adapted to people with different types of impairments, as well as suggestions for safety enhancing measures, were collected by the use of focus group interviews. Some examples of problems reported when evacuating from historical buildings were, level differences on the way to and in evacuation routes, problems concerning orientation and problems with detecting the alarm signal. People had different needs depending on their type of impairment. This means that safety in evacuation routes must be given much more focus when improving accessibility in historical buildings. Measures must be taken to address the different needs of people with different types of impairments. The results can be used for the whole range of professions taking part in the project of planning refurbishments of historical buildings.