Table 1 Escape route definitions from a number of British Standards (Titles omitted for clarity) British Standard
Escape route definition
BS 7671: 2008
Path to follow for access to a safe area in the event of an emergency
BS 5266-1: 2011
Route designated for escape to a place of safety in the event of an emergency
BS EN 1838: 2013
Route used to evacuate in case of an emergency, starting where the evacuation starts and ending at a place of safety
BS EN 50172: 2004
A route designated for escape to a place of safety in the event of an emergency
BS 9999: 2008
Route forming part of the means of escape from any point in a building to a final exit
Fig 1 Means of escape from a two-storey dwelling (Reproduced from Approved Document B)
This article will, however, reflect the common guidance issued by the governments in the United Kingdom (UK)3 jurisdictions for domestic dwellings to meet the respective Building Regulations. For example, the definition for an escape route given in Approved Document B – Volume 1 (England and Wales) is: Route forming part of the means of escape from any point in a building to a final exit. It is interesting to note that there is no mention of the words ‘designated’ or ‘protected’ in that definition. Also, that document includes diagrams (reproduced in Figs 1 and 2) with the words ‘Escape via entrance hall’ indicating that although the entrance hall of a dwelling is not a designated route, it is recognised as an intended escape route. Domestic dwellings having one or two storeys Domestic dwellings, regardless of dimensions or shape, normally do not have a designated escape route identified by signage, and dwellings having one or two storeys are typically constructed without having a designated route or protected route; historically it is acknowledged that such buildings are not complex and the occupants’ familiarity with the building provide for a low risk easy exit in the event of evacuation. For such buildings, evacuation in an emergency to the outside, in most (but not all) circumstances, is provided by doors on the ground storey and openable windows meeting specified requirements on either storey (see Fig 1). It should be recognised that access to these doors or windows is likely to involve persons travelling along the hall, stairway or landing; meaning these circulation spaces, although not part of a designated escape route, are recognised as providing an intended escape route, and any wiring systems in these spaces should meet the requirements of Regulation 521.11.201. Contractors should note that some two-storey dwellings may contain a protected escape route. This can be the case where an existing dwelling, having only one stairway and constructed to earlier versions of the building regulations or statutory acts, contains windows on the second storey having openable areas or structural openings that do not meet the latest edition of the building regulations for the means of escape; meaning that where certain building work is carried out (which must therefore meet current building regulations), these windows cannot satisfy the requirements for a means of escape and a protected escape route is constructed as an alternative (see Fig 1). Connections Winter 2015-2016
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