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Planning for safety

Evacuating people who need assistance in an emergency

Appendix D: Glossary of terms

Areas of refuge/rescue assistance
A safe holding area where a person who needs evacuation assistance can wait safely until help arrives.
Buddy
An individual, friend or associate who volunteers to provide assistance to someone who requires assistance in an emergency situation.
Egress (exit) route
A clear evacuation route for use in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Horizontal fire separation
The dividing of a floor by a fire-rated door to create separate areas for the safe, horizontal movement of building occupants.
Notification system
A system to notify building users of an alarm, including devices such as audible alarms, strobe or visual alarms and combination visual-audible alarms.
Shelter-in-place
A strategy where building occupants remain in their unit (e.g., office or residence) until notified of further action.
Technical device/aid
A device that assists people with disabilities with daily living. There are also technical devices designed specifically for use in emergency situations.
Two-stage alarm
In a two-stage alarm system, an initial alarm is used to request that people remain in place and await instruction. A second alarm requires that everyone evacuate.
Universal design
The design of products, building interiors and other environments, programmes and services that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal design does not exclude the use of assistive devices for people with disabilities who need them.

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Date Modified:
2010-01-28