A big challenge faced by building management and emergency services is to ensure a swift and safe emergency evacuation of their business premises. More importantly, they need to have appropriate disabled refuge systems that can help with the safe evacuation of disabled people. As per the Equality Act-2010, all companies’ responsibility is to ensure that access to buildings and services is available to everyone. 

While it may be possible to assist disabled patrons during an evacuation, it is not always safe and practical to do. It’s why non-domestic buildings with more than one storey require a disabled refuge system designed and installed to the BS 5839 Part 9 (the British Code of Practice for Emergency Voice Communication Systems) standard. As per BS 5839 Part 9, there are two types of EVC systems – disabled refuge and fire telephone systems. However, the EVC system can have many other elements within the building, including paging systems (for people with hearing difficulties) and disabled toilet alarms. 

Disabled Refuge Units

Mounted in the disabled refuge areas, these units enable two-way, hands-free communication between the person occupying the disabled refuge area and the emergency services or the people in the control room. They are designed for use at the time of an emergency, such as a fire or other hazard, when the premises need to be evacuated. Disabled refuge units are for physically impaired, wheelchair users, pregnant ladies, or anyone else who may require assistance in exiting the building in an emergency.

Fire Telephone Systems

A fire telephone system is used by fire officers and emergency personnel during an emergency. They are essential for maintaining communication between the different people who are managing the evacuation. The officer can operate the fire telephone to relay important information about each area of evacuation to the people in the control area. 

Disabled Toilet Alarms

Disabled toilet alarms help disabled patrons find and use suitable toilet accommodation safely and easily. It’s a “Call for Assistance” alarm system fitted within disabled toilet cubicles and includes alarm pull cords, an external alarm, and a reset button.

Fire Paging Systems

Fire paging systems alert people with hearing impairment of fire alarm activation, lockdown notification, theft alarm activation or other emergencies. Hearing-impaired people are provided with fire paging systems, which vibrate and display a warning text message when emergency alarms are activated.

If you want to install one or all Emergency Voice Communication system elements in your business premises, shop, cinema hall, shopping centre, or any other commercial building, you’ve come to the right place! LNS Fire and Security can help in designing, installing, commissioning and maintaining disabled refuge systems. Our fire and security engineers can evaluate your site and provide a free quote for the project. Get in touch to learn more.