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Ramps from Fire Exits

  • 04-02-2014 5:51pm
    #1
    Tim76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 955 ✭✭✭


    Could anyone advise if Part M compliant ramps are required from all fire exits from a building?

    I can only seem to find guidance on approach to buildings.


Comments

  • #2
    Euthro
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 ✭Euthro


    Use the recommendations of Part M . In reality any new build or Material alteration will require compliance with Part M, Unless the escape stairs evacuate to the open air there might be scope to only comply with ambulant disabled requirements, instead of disabled requirements of Part M. Is this for a college project or a real job.


  • #3
    Tim76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 955 ✭✭✭Tim76


    Real job. Concerning ramps and not stairs. Which, as far as I'm aware, there is no "ambulant disabled" option. Save employing a 1:12 slope as opposed to 1:20

    Due to site restrictions it is proving extremely difficult to fit in ramps as required by the regs to the fire escapes. There is a 300mm difference from FFL to the car park level - 150mm from FFL to footpath and another 150mm from footpath to car park. From what i can gather the max slope you can have on the dished down section of kerb is also 1:12, requiring 1.8m in length to comply with a 150mm level difference. This seems very onerous for kerbs and I haven't noticed these types of slopes in real life situations before. Plus I need 1.8x1.8m level section outside to door swing. All in all i'm looking at a ramped section of about 6.4m length to get me from FFL to car
    park level.


  • #4
    archtech
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,046 ✭✭✭archtech


    Put a landing capable of accommodating a wheelchair (refuge size) clear of the escape steps. I've not had any issues in the past with either FSC or DAC with that solution.


  • #5
    Tim76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 955 ✭✭✭Tim76


    Thanks for the suggestion archtech. I will certainly look into that.

    Do you know if handrails are a requirement when the difference in level is 300mm (i.e. 2 steps)? I know the requirement for guarding kicks in at 600mm


  • #6
    archtech
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,046 ✭✭✭archtech


    normally would, as it offers protection to the opening door and over comes H& S hazard.


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  • #7
    Euthro
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 ✭Euthro


    Is the exit to the carpark the main entrance to the building from the carpark, from a practicality point of view it may be worthwhile to have disabled access if this is the case. What Archtech says is a good solution and would be what I would recommend but just looking at compliance with code, two steps is the minimum you require.


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