In the event of a fire in a shopping mall or, indeed, in any building where members of the public may be present, the necessary actions can be divided into two phases. The first is to alert the public to the danger and the second is to help them to evacuate the affected area quickly and safely.

These actions apply just as much to able-bodied persons as they do to those with disabilities, but special measures may sometimes be needed for those in the latter group. Let's examine what these measures might involve, starting with the alert phase.

The usual way of drawing attention to a fire is by sounding a bell or other audible alarm. This is of little use to anyone who is deaf, so it is also necessary to provide visual alarm devices such as flashing beacons. Although these must, of course, be fitted in the main public areas, this is not where they are most needed.

Anyone in the main areas, when an alarm occurs, is likely to be within sight of other people, and will therefore be aware that something significant is happening even if they can't see a beacon.

It's much more important, therefore, to have reliable visual alarms in toilets and other areas where people may be on their own. And, it's important not to think that these visual alarms are needed only in disabled toilets. Unless someone who is deaf happens also to be a wheelchair user, they will almost certainly use the non-disabled toilets.

Next, let's consider the needs of people with visual impairments. They are likely to hear the audible alarm but, if this takes the form of a bell or klaxon, it does nothing to help them deal with the situation. For this reason, it's important to supplement the sounders with a voice alarm system that can be used to provide information and guidance.

This leads on to the evacuation phase of the alert. A fire-resistant voice alarm system is an invaluable resource for guiding the visually impaired. For those with hearing difficulties, large clear signs showing the way to exit routes are essential. And, of course, well-defined spacious escape routes are necessary to safeguard all building occupants. But what about those in wheelchairs, or otherwise mobility impaired?

Modern shopping malls usually have more than one level. People with mobility impairments typically access the various levels by using lifts, but these are often taken out of service when a fire is suspected. In order to ensure that mobility impaired persons have a safe means of exit it may, therefore, be necessary to provide one or more lifts that can continue to be used in the event of a fire.

Current legislation does not require expensive provisions of this type to be made retrospectively, although they are mandatory in new buildings. The DDA does, however, state that 'reasonable modifications' must be made to buildings. This may be interpreted to mean that fire-rated lifts and similar provisions must be installed when other substantial modifications are being carried out to existing premises.

These physical measures are important, but arguably the most effective measures for protecting people with disabilities are forward planning, staff training and management.

People with disabilities are unlikely to be in shopping malls when there is no one else present. The best way of protecting them, therefore, is for staff to be trained to seek them out and assist them in the event of a fire. This applies to customers in stores and those in the circulating areas.

The mall staff should have a clear knowledge of main and alternative escape routes, as well as the locations of fire-rated lifts and when to use them. The staff should also be well drilled in escape procedures.

A safety information handout provided for all visitors with disabilities is particularly appropriate for wheelchair users, who are easily identified, and who are most likely to benefit from knowing the location of escape routes.

In most modern shopping malls, provisions for people with disabilities will already be in place. It is, however, always worth seeking the advice of an expert and experienced supplier, such as Siemens Building Technologies, to ensure that these provisions are adequate, and that they have been properly implemented.

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