Fire safety and accessibility are two areas that should always work in tandem, but in practice, they can sometimes conflict.
At Sesame Access, we’re often asked how wheelchair access solutions fit into fire egress strategies. It’s a fair question, and one that frequently arises with access officers, architects, and building control teams. So, let’s unpack how accessibility and fire safety can be designed to complement each other.
Understanding fire egress
In simple terms, fire egress means how people get out of a building safely in the event of a fire. For most pedestrians, this is straightforward - find the nearest fire exit and follow the escape route.
But for wheelchair users or anyone with limited mobility, it’s rarely that simple. Stairs, narrow corridors, and inaccessible routes can turn what’s an easy escape for some into an impossible one for others.
That’s why, when designing accessible buildings, we have to think about inclusive evacuation from the very start.
The challenge of powered lifts
One of the biggest questions we hear is: “Can wheelchair lifts be used during a fire?”
According to British Standards, powered lifts within a building shouldn’t be used during a fire, just in case the power fails. It’s a vital safety measure to prevent anyone from being stranded.
However, that doesn’t mean a lift can’t be part of a well-planned evacuation strategy. Many modern accessibility solutions, including our Sesame lifts, are designed with 24V battery back-ups as standard.
These battery back-ups allow the user to:
-
Emergency lower lift to a safe position
-
Lower barriers or gates
-
Exit safely, even in a power outage
The key is ensuring the lift forms part of a clearly defined fire procedure, agreed with your fire officer or consultant.
The importance of working together
Every building is unique - in layout, use, and evacuation routes. That’s why we always recommend involving your fire officer or fire consultant right at the beginning of any accessibility project.
Together, we can:
-
Review where the lift will be positioned
-
Understand how it fits within the overall fire strategy
-
Make sure the right emergency procedures are in place
Early conversations make all the difference. They allow safety and accessibility to evolve together, not as two separate systems trying to meet in the middle.
Different users have different needs
When thinking about fire egress, it’s vital to remember that not everyone experiences a building the same way.
A standing pedestrian can move quickly and use stairs without assistance. A seated wheelchair user, however, needs a clear, level route and possibly staff support. These differences should be reflected in your evacuation planning. The goal isn’t identical routes, but equal safety outcomes.
Inclusive design means planning for everyone, so that no one is left behind in an emergency.
Designing for safety and inclusion
The best fire strategies are those that consider accessibility right from the start. This means talking to fire officers and access consultants early in the design process, thinking carefully about how lifts, ramps and exits all work together, and putting clear evacuation procedures in place for every building user.
At Sesame Access, we’ve worked with hundreds of architects and access officers on projects where fire safety and accessibility are both prioritised. Our experience shows that when teams collaborate from the very beginning, achieving both safety and inclusion can be straightforward.
Fire safety and accessibility should never conflict. With thoughtful planning, open communication and the right technology, buildings can be both safe and inclusive for everyone.