Talk through your escape plan, including what to do and what not to do in a fire.
Choose an escape route
The best escape route is your normal way in and out of your home. Think of any difficulties you may have getting out, for example in the middle of the night.
Choose a second escape route, in case the first one is blocked. Keep both escape routes clear of obstructions. If there are older people or children in the household, plan the order you’d escape in, so that if you have to go out of a window you can help them down.
Think about a refuge
If you can’t escape you will need to find one room to take refuge in – this is particularly important if you have difficulty moving around or going down stairs on your own. It’s best if the room you retreat to has a window and a phone.
Source: www.firekills.gov.uk
FIRE ESCAPE REGULATIONS Approved document B ‘2000’ edition states that all habitable rooms in the upper storey of a house served by only one stair should be provided with a window (or external door).
Any window and door that is provided for emergency escape purposes should comply with the following conditions:
a) The window should have an unobstructed openable area that is at least 0.32mm², at least 450mm high and 450mm wide (the route through the window may be at an angle rather than straight through). The bottom of the openable area should not be more than 1100mm above the floor.
b) The window or door should enable the person escaping to reach a place free from danger of fire.
Who are the texts written for?
According to the first text …
… who is supposed to take responsibility for planning what to do in a fire?
… why should you have more than one escape route?
… who is it suggested is at most risk if a fire breaks out?
According to the second text …
… what is the smallest possible size for an emergency exit?
… what other conditions must be met, as well as the size of the exit?
The second text is formal in style. Rewrite the following phrases in more everyday English, as in the example:
an unobstructed area = an area without anything in the way
Explain the difference in meaning of the following:
stairs stair step
open openable unopened
Activity 4
Look at this sentence taken from the second extract and the use of the word habitable.
Approved document B ‘2000’ edition states that all habitable rooms in the upper storey of a house served by only one stair should be provided with a window (or external door).
Complete the sentences below with one of the –able/-ible words in the box, as in the example.
walkable washable knowledgeable illegible
