Inspection of escape and rescue routes

July 4, 2023
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Unkategorisiert

Over 25,000 fires occur in Austria every year and up to 70 people die from smoke (approx. 80%) and fire (approx. 20%)! The damage to property amounts to around € 260 million per year. In an emergency, escape and rescue routes can make the difference between life and death.

Unfortunately, many people are not aware of this. It is therefore important to keep reminding building users of this fact and to keep these routes intact and clear at all times – because an evacuation may be necessary at any time and nobody knows when.

In everyday practice, escape and rescue routes are unfortunately often blocked and used as (temporary) storage areas or fire doors are wedged open. This is of course convenient for the user, but in an emergency it can cost lives.
Regular inspection of all escape and rescue routes is essential to ensure that people are aware of this and that conditions on site are safe.

Practical tips
Escape routes should be inspected regularly by a competent person (e.g. fire safety officer/maintainer, building technician) every 1 – 4 weeks – particular attention should be paid to the following topics

Paths and stairs must be at least the minimum width for unhindered use
No fire loads (e.g. garbage bins) on the escape route
No objects that can easily fall over
Escape route signage is easily recognizable everywhere and sufficiently bright
No fault in the emergency lighting, all lights OK
Fire extinguishers are easily recognizable and accessible
Smoke and fire doors/gates are closed (but not locked), close automatically and completely or are held open with a holding magnet
Emergency exits are marked, easy to open from the inside and not obstructed
The path to the assembly point must be unobstructed (test emergency opening device) and accessible to everyone (e.g. snow clearance in winter)
Every inspection should be documented in writing
If possible, the inspection should be carried out alternately by 2 different “inspectors” – four eyes see more!

The AUVA has created a very practical checklist to make it easier to document inspections – here is the link to download:
https://www.auva.at/cdscontent/load?contentid=10008.734239&version=1585309767

In Austria, the following legal requirements apply to workplaces:

Escape and rescue routes – are used to exit buildings quickly, require a minimum width of 1 m and must generally lead directly into the open air or a secured escape area after 40 m. They must be specially marked (in accordance with the marking ordinance, ÖNORM EN 1818). They must be specially marked (in accordance with the marking ordinance, ÖNORM EN 1838) – the authorities can prescribe safety lighting. On the other hand, they serve as access to the accident site for the emergency services (fire department, rescue services).

Safety lighting – is a technical safety device and is intended to enable people to leave buildings safely in the event of a power failure. It is required if rooms or escape routes do not receive sufficient natural lighting when artificial lighting fails (e.g. no windows or at night). It must have a mains-independent power supply (e.g. individual/group or central batteries), switch on automatically in the event of a power failure, be inspected regularly (monthly) and checked/maintained annually by a specialist – the illuminance must also be checked every 2 years. You can find out more about emergency lighting here.

Emergency exits – require a minimum width of 80 cm and doors must be able to be opened in the direction of escape for more than 15 people.

Assembly point – is the defined and marked meeting point in the event of an evacuation, it must be possible to leave the assembly point onto a public road – order at the assembly point is monitored by the assembly point officer

Secured escape areas (areas along the escape route separated by doors, e.g. corridors, stairwells) – must be located max. 40m (sometimes more is permitted with conditions) and must only have a low fire load/smoke development or must have a high fire resistance of the materials and components.

Stairwells – are required for more than 2 storeys and are usually equipped with a smoke and heat extraction system

Smoke and heat extraction systems (SHEVS) – used either for natural smoke extraction (fire smoke ventilation – BRE) through hinged skylight domes (opening by electricity, compressed air or CO²) or for mechanical smoke extraction by means of a fan (fire smoke extraction – BRA) – must be inspected annually. You can find out more about smoke and heat extraction systems here

Doors and gates on escape routes are often fire protection doors/gates (recognizable by a red stripe and sticker in the door rebate) – they offer increased smoke tightness and fire resistance and close automatically. They must be inspected at least once a month and also checked, readjusted and maintained annually by a specialist. You can find out more about fire doors here

Automatic doors may only be used on escape routes if they can be easily opened manually in the direction of escape or open automatically and remain open in the event of an emergency/malfunction – must be checked annually. You can find out more about electric doors & gate systems here

Evacuation – is the unplanned evacuation of a building (e.g. in the event of fire, sabotage, technical faults, risk of collapse, etc.) with the aim of freeing all persons from the building unharmed and as quickly as possible. This must be practiced at least This must be practised at least once a year during working hours and is organized and carried out by the evacuation or fire safety officer

Evacuation and fire safety officers – these are appointed by the employer, as he is obliged to do so (§ 25 ASchG). Furthermore, the employer must ensure that a sufficient number of employees are trained in the use of fire extinguishing equipment.

The best way to make sure you don’t miss any more appointments in future is to download the MyBuilding24 app. There you can record all your devices requiring maintenance and manage the associated appointments, and with a complete list of maintenance work available at all times, you are always on the safe side.