Recruitment Email

Research on Evacuating Persons with Mobility Impairments

Questionnaire for Building Occupants

Engineering Laboratory

National Institute of Standards and Technology

RECRUITMENT EMAIL

Hello [Building occupant],

In a project sponsored by the U.S. General Services Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting a study of how elevators can be used during fire emergencies by occupants of existing multi-story buildings in the United States with mobility impairments.

The efficient evacuation of people from fire in a high-rise building is a critical concern both for existing buildings and for the design of new buildings. It is particularly important to address the needs of people who have difficulties evacuating quickly during a fire emergency. Elevators may assist in solving this problem if their safety is trusted. The focus of this research is to gain an understanding of the knowledge, views, and experiences of people with mobility impairments regarding fire evacuation using elevators. The outcome will be guidance to designers and building managers on how to improve elevator design and usage during fire emergencies.

Therefore, we are writing this email to ask if you would fill out a questionnaire located here: [insert web address] by [include the date here]. This questionnaire will ask you for basic information on your mobility with regard to evacuation, your previous evacuation experiences, and your preferences on how to evacuate during a fire emergency. At the end of the questionnaire, you will be asked whether you would be willing to discuss your views and experiences in more detail in a one-on-one interview with a member of the research team. Completing this questionnaire is voluntary; however, your assistance would be greatly appreciated to help improve the safety of the occupants of your building and of buildings across the U.S.

If you have any questions regarding the questionnaire or your participation in this study, which is completely voluntary, please contact Kathryn Butler, Physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, at the following: 301-975-6673 or kathryn.butler@nist.gov.

Thank you in advance for your participation in this important study of life safety procedures.