Inclusive design

The fire safety aspects of the Building Regulations are made for securing reasonable standards of health and safety of people in and about buildings. This is intended to include all people, including people with disabilities. People, regardless of disability or age should be able to gain access to buildings and use their facilities, both as visitors and as people who live or work in them. Part R of the Building Regulations requires reasonable provision in this respect. As such the fire safety measures incorporated into a building will need to take account of the needs of all those people who may have access to the building. It is not appropriate, except in exceptional circumstances, to presume that certain groups of people will be excluded from a building because of its use. The provisions set out in this Technical Booklet are considered to be a reasonable standard for most buildings. However, there may be some people whose specific needs are not addressed. In some situations additional fire safety measures may be needed to accommodate these needs. Such measures should be considered on a case by case basis.